Rwakarambwe and Chaplin on target against Barnet
Pompey Academy returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at Barnet.
The visitors broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Fahad Rwakarambwe (pictured) raced onto Alfie Rutherford’s long diagonal pass and found the net with a fine first-time finish.
Barnet levelled after the interval, but the Blues secured victory 20 minutes from the end.
They won a free-kick wide on the right and Conor Chaplin stepped up to fire the ball into the top corner.
Academy coach Paul Hardyman said: “I was really pleased with the lads. We asked them to play at a higher tempo and that’s exactly what they did.
“They worked really hard and pressed Barnet to deny them any time on the ball and kept possession well when we had it.
“The two goals we scored were fantastic, although we went very direct for the first, which is unlike us.
“Barnet did have some chances, but we defended well and I thought it was a deserved victory.
“We once again decided to field several of our under-16 players and it was more great experience for them.”
Pompey: Bass; Davis, Field, Rutherford (Medway 21), Haunstrup; Rwakarambwe, Close (c), May, Kim; Chaplin (Oxlade-Chamberlain 84), Horsburgh (Gill 60)