Blues triumph 3-1 in reserve clash
Paul McCallum notched a hat-trick as Pompey Reserves beat Leyton Orient 3-1 in the Final Third Development League.
The on-loan West Ham striker was part of a strong Blues line-up at Furze Lane, with the likes of Johnny Ertl, Wes Fogden and Craig Westcarr also featuring.
Pompey forged ahead after just four minutes when Fogden burst into the box and was upended by Aron Pollock, with McCALLUM stepping up to drive home from the spot.
The hosts were pegging the Londoners back inside their own half, but chances proved few and far between as the half progressed.
Orient momentarily moved into gear and a David Cornell slip almost gifted them an equaliser, only for Sam Ling to hit the outside of the post.
At the other end, McCallum met a corner from Ben Close, although his header was comfortably claimed by Ben Card in the visitors’ goal.
The striker then saw another effort saved by Card at the far post following some good work from Fogden.
But the Blues did extend their advantage just before the break, courtesy of a move that started with a fine challenge from James Granger to dispossess Shola Oladipo.
Westcarr then found Josh Passley, who breezed down the right and whipped in a perfect cross for the stooping McCALLUM to convert.
Half Time: Pompey 2 Leyton Orient 0
Granger nearly added a third goal after the interval but, after Westcarr had been fouled, his free-kick struck the post.
The impressive Passley then whipped another fine cross into the box, with McCallum’s header well saved by Card.
And the visitors survived another close shave when Nigel Atangana hit the woodwork after Fogden had done well to round the keeper.
But Leyton Orient found themselves back in the contest on 73 minutes, as Ling met Harry Lee’s corner and saw his close range effort creep under Cornell.
And they almost drew level moments later, with Oladipo – who was in acres of space – wasting the opportunity by firing wide.
Instead, Pompey wrapped up the victory late on. Card could only parry a shot from substitute Calvin Davies and McCALLUM gleefully followed up to complete his treble.
Pompey: Cornell; Granger, Ertl (c), Webster; Passley (Davies 60), Close, Fogden, Atangana (May 66), Haunstrup (Joseph-Buadi 71); Westcarr, McCallum
Sub not used: Bass
Leyton Orient: Card; Ling, Pollock, Nikolaou (Judd 54), Humphrey; Moncur, James (Brown 71), Lee (c), Oladipo; Kashket, Adeboyejo
Subs not used: Sargent, Clarke, Owusu
Referee: Mike Desborough