Gill double downs Watford
Lewis Gill (pictured) bagged a brace as Pompey Academy continued their unbeaten start to the Merit League One season with a 2-0 victory over Watford at Furze Lane.
The visitors had to play more than half the game with 10 men after Mahlondo Martin was shown a straight red card.
He was dismissed for headbutting and swinging an elbow at Calvin Davies, who was forced to leave the field.
The Blues soon made the most of their numerical advantage thanks to a stunning strike from Gill that flew into the top corner.
But they had to wait until a few minutes before the end to secure their victory, with substitute Tommy Scutt teeing-up Gill to slot home.
Academy coach Mikey Harris said: “There was a tussle between Calvin and their defender, who turned around and headbutted him before swinging an elbow.
“It was right in front of both our bench and the linesman, so the referee had no choice but to send him off.
“We had to substitute Calvin because his lip was bleeding and there were concerns he might be concussed, although we’ve since found out that he’s fine.
“Lewis then scored a fine goal and that capped an excellent first half performance from us.
“We’d been working on playing the ball out from the back and I was delighted to see that put into practice.
“At half-time we spoke about how we could make the most of our extra man by moving the ball from side to side and making Watford work.
“But for some reason we just didn’t do that and ended up being dragged into a dog-fight.
“Thankfully, we were able to forge further ahead following some good work from Tommy, who stepped up from the under-16s.
“Lewis took the goal well and I’m pleased to see him playing at the level he showed at the start of the season. He seems full of confidence.
“But it was the first time that we’ve played against 10 men for an extended period and it’s clear that’s something we need to work on in training.”
Pompey: George; Nilsen, Yates (Scutt 60), Field, Haunstup; Davies (Rwakarambwe 38), Granger, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Haitham; May, Gill