Pompey draw 3-3 with Bristol Rovers
First he nodded home a cross from Brandon Joseph-Buadi before reacting quickest after Conor Chaplin’s shot had been parried.
Pompey Academy got their Youth Alliance League campaign underway with a 3-3 draw against Bristol Rovers at Furze Lane.
“We lost our way a bit in the second half – maybe through complacency or perhaps it was fatigue because of the effort produced in the first half.
“Bristol Rovers then scored against the run of play and although we went on to create a lot of chances, we couldn’t get that vital third.
“Lewis scored twice to take his tally to three from just two games. He almost made it a hat-trick, but was denied by a great save.
“Our boys were outstanding in the first and were completely dominant in possession.
Academy coach Mikey Harris said: “I don’t like to use clichés, but it was a great example of a game of two halves.
Pompey did manage to salvage a point late on, however, when Chaplin teed-up Joseph-Buadi for a fine finish.
But Rovers reduced the deficit just before the break and it looked like they would secure all three points after netting twice in the second half. Gill; Joseph-Buadi, Chaplin, Haitham (Sayers 71); Rwakarambwe (Oxlade-Chamberlain 55), May; Davis, Granger, Nilsen, McDowell; GeorgePompey:
“Kyle McDowell also did well at left-back after being promoted from our under-16s – which is something we’re looking to do regularly this season – whole Monty George made some good saves and his distribution was excellent.”
“But overall there were a lot of positive aspects. James Granger and Snorre Nilsen are primarily midfielders, but had to play at centre-back because of injuries. It’s great experience for them to learn new positions.
“We have to remember that a game lasts for 90 minutes and not 45 – if we can find some consistency across the whole match then we’ll do well.
“Our opponents scored twice, but we showed good character to equalise late on and then had opportunities to win the game.