Blues triumph 3-1 in Cheltenham cup clash
Robert DabbsReferee:
Bass
Sub not used:
Poke; Davis, Webster (c), Field, Haunstrup; Maloney, Awford (Nilsen 71), Close, Chaplin (Rwakarambwe 80); Taylor (Tarbuck 46), Caicedo
Pompey (4-4-2):
Gould; Deaman (c) (Craddock 62), Bowen, Black; Haworth, Powell (Daly 84), Williams, D.Reynolds; De Vita (Lawrence 62), Dale, Kotwica Cheltenham (3-4-3):
But Cheltenham never looked like staging a comeback, although Michael Poke did well to push Kotwica’s effort around the post late on.
And Close shot narrowly over from the edge of the box as Pompey tried to put the result beyond doubt.
Chaplin almost netted again moments later, but was denied by Gould at the keeper’s near post.
The Blues did increase their lead on 65 minutes, though, with Jack Maloney and triallist Vincent Caicedo combining to leave CHAPLIN with a simple finish from just a yard out.
Taylor did not return at the start of the second half and his replacement Bradley Tarbuck had an immediate chance to score, but could only fire straight at Gould.
Cheltenham 1 Pompey 2 Half Time:
First he hacked away Andy Haworth’s cross to deny the onrushing Robins forwards and then cleared Kotwica’s shot off the line in stoppage-time.
Young right-back Calvin Davis ensured the Blues were ahead at the break with two timely interventions late in the half.
Pompey regained their advantage almost immediately, however, as TAYLOR rose highest in the box to convert Chaplin’s cross.
But the hosts were level on 15 minutes when Zack Kotwica latched onto Adam Powell’s incisive pass and drilled the ball into the bottom corner.
The striker then sent another effort into Matt Gould’s arms, before the Cheltenham keeper got down to keep out Ben Close’s drive.
TAYLOR opened the scoring after just three minutes amidst picturesque surroundings, heading home Brandon Haunstrup’s cross.
Conor Chaplin also found the target in a 3-1 triumph at the Robins’ Seasons training base in sunny Gloucestershire.
Ryan Taylor marked his comeback from injury with a brace as Pompey won their opening Final Third Development Cup group stage game against Cheltenham.