Assistant manager happy with Newport display
The Pompey side could enjoy their ferry trip home from the Isle of Wight.
Memories of an 8-0 victory over Newport at St George’s Park would have helped to calm the choppy waters on a stormy night.
Nicke Kabamba hit five goals against the Wessex League outfit, with Jamal Lowe bagging a brace and Milan Lalkovic also finding the target.
The former drew particular praise from Joe Gallen, who was impressed with the Blues’ striking prowess.
Pompey’s assistant manager said: “There was a very good attitude from our players and it was an extremely professional performance – from start to finish.
“We saw some great moves and chances created, while some of the finishing was excellent.
"Scoring five against anyone is good going."
“The first three of Nicke’s goals were very clean finishes on a bobbly pitch and he managed to find the net with plenty of power.
“There were a couple of headers in there as well, which you would expect from someone of his size.
“But he should be very pleased overall and it should give him a lot of confidence. Scoring five against anyone is good going.
“We have a lot of forward options and we need competition, so he has to push the likes of Conor Chaplin, Brett Pitman and Kal Naismith.
“Perhaps he’s now slowly starting to creep up the pecking order, but it’s important that he keeps it going.
“Curtis Main also played particularly well and we were trying to get him on the ball more in the first half in that number 10 position.
“He’s made a very good start to pre-season and the only disappointment is that he didn’t get a goal, but he’s scored in previous games.”
Gary Roberts could be involved against Bournemouth at the weekend, having missed the past two games.
Gallen said: “He dropped out of training on Friday because his back was sore, but he’s declared himself fit and is ready to put himself up for Saturday.”