Awford's attention turns to league opener after Charlton defeat
The waiting is almost over.
Charlton were the opponents for Pompey’s final pre-season test ahead of the 2014/15 campaign.
The Championship side were 2-1 victors, as Igor Vetokele and George Tucudean struck either side of a Danny Hollands header.
Paul Jones then saved Johnnie Jackson’s second half spot-kick to deny the Addicks a third goal.
But the game will quickly be forgotten as attention now turns to the League Two opener at St James Park.
Blues boss Andy Awford said: “You could see that both teams are now really eager to start their league campaigns and we’re certainly looking forward to Exeter next Saturday.
“It’s all about peaking next week and everyone’s where we want them to be.
“I think we’ve seen a gradual improvement over the course of pre-season and now we want a good week of training.
“We were very good for large parts of the game against Charlton, although in the second half it turned into a typical pre-season friendly.
“I think both their goals could have been cleared, although once their strikers have hit the ball there was no stopping them.
“We have to look more at how they got in those positions and that’s something we’ll address.
“Danny used his experience to sniff out a chance and pop up in the box at the right time for us.
“He could have had another in the second half as well and was unlucky to hit the bar.”
Awford will now start to work out which players will be in his starting 11 at Exeter.
He said: “There’s depth in the squad which is what you want and I’ve got some big decisions to make.
“We’ve got competition all over the pitch and we’re really pleased with the players we’ve got.”