Smith scores against Barnet
Dan Smith was on target as Pompey drew 1-1 in a friendly at Barnet.
He was quickest to react after Harvey Bradbury’s shot had been saved and headed the visitors in front.
Ousman Saidy and Tommy Scutt also found the target for the Blues, but were both controversially denied by the linesman’s flag.
And Barnet were able to earn a share of the spoils, courtesy of a decent finish just past the hour mark.
Academy coach Mikey Harris said: “Alex Bass was the only one of our second years to feature because he’s been short of games in recent weeks.
“But otherwise it was the group we’ll be working with next season and this game provided a decent opportunity for us to get them all together as early as January.
“We started well and showed good shape and structure – as well as plenty of commitment and desire.
“But we were just lacking a bit of quality in the final third, so it was pleasing to see us score following a sustained period of pressure.
“We took control of the game on a difficult pitch and it was more of the same in the second half with some fine patterns of play.
“The lead should have been greater, but unfortunately Ousman and Tommy had efforts ruled out – and both decisions looked harsh.
“It was disappointing to concede an equaliser, although overall the game was useful exercise for us ahead of next season.”
Pompey: Bass; Chandler, Saidy, Widdrington, McDowell; Brooks, Scutt; Bedford, Smith, Mayes; Bradbury
Subs: Collins, Casey, Green
Pompey will play in Merit League One in the second half of the season after finishing in the top five of the Youth Alliance League South-West Division.
They pipped Swindon to the final spot after the Robins were beaten by bottom club Yeovil on Thursday.