Young Blues beat Bristol Rovers
Pompey Academy survived a late fightback to secure a 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers at Furze Lane.
They took the lead midway through the first half when Kyle McDowell’s long throw was flicked on for Theo Widdrington (pictured) to nod home.
Matt Mayes then doubled the advantage with a fine effort into the top corner after being picked out by Dan Smith.
And their third goal arrived just before the break, as Mayes linked up well with Eddie Wakley before Harvey Bradbury neatly finished.
But the Blues took their foot off the pedal in the second half, allowing Jordan Carey and Lewis Ellington to eat into their lead.
That ensured there was a nervy finale, but the hosts saw out the final 10 minutes to claim all three points.
Academy coach Mikey Harris said: “We won the game, but I can take little pleasure from the result because the performance was a million miles off where it needs to be.
“The decision making and interaction between the players was poor and everything that is weak about us was shown in the second half.
“Fortunately, we’d managed to score three goals before the interval and they were all positive moments.
“It was difficult because we had Tommy Scutt, Jez Bedford, Ousman Saidy and Jack Chandler all out injured.
“So I was delighted with the displays of Freddie Read and Joe Dandy, who stepped up from the under-16s.
“But there has got to be a lot more consistency overall if the lads want to progress in their footballing careers.”
Pompey: Hall; Brooks (Dandy 56), Casey, Wakley, McDowell; Read, Widdrington (c); Smith, Woodward, Bradbury; Mayes
Sub not used: Collins