Rwakarambwe penalty downs Grecians
Pompey Academy warmed up for their FA Youth Cup clash against Thamesmead with a 1-0 league victory at Exeter.
The visitors dominated the first half and were unlucky to go in level at the break.
But they won a penalty after it when a cross from the right was handled by a Grecians defender.
Fahad Rwakarambwe (pictured) stepped up to take it and sent the keeper the wrong way to secure victory for the Blues.
Academy coach Mikey Harris said: “The pitch was extremely soft, which made free-flowing, passing football very difficult.
“But we managed it in the first half and played some really entertaining stuff, while creating a lot of chances.
“We were just missing that clinical edge in and around the box and were a bit disappointed to not be ahead at half-time.
“The second half was more of a scrappy affair, with the pitch cutting up and Exeter raising their game.
“But we won the penalty, which Fahad coolly converted and then saw the game out in a very professional manner.
“The lads showed plenty of application and effort to deal with whatever Exeter could throw at us and I thought the victory was thoroughly deserved.”
Pompey: Bass; Davies, Nilsen, Widdrington, Haunstrup; Rwakarambwe, Chaplin (Oxlade-Chamberlain 60), Granger (May 54); Haitham (Joseph-Buadi 66), Gill, Sayers