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Academy

Academy Battle Back To Beat Swindon

Pompey secure 3-2 Youth Alliance League victory

22 September 2019

Harry Anderson
Academy

Academy Battle Back To Beat Swindon

Pompey secure 3-2 Youth Alliance League victory

22 September 2019

Pompey Academy battled from behind to beat Swindon at Copnor Road and continue their fine opening to the Youth Alliance League campaign.

The Robins netted twice in the first half, ensuring that the table-toppers had plenty to do after the break.

But they reduced the deficit when Stan Bridgman headed Eoin Teggart’s corner against the post and Harry Anderson (pictured) tucked away the loose ball.

Harry Kavanagh’s low cross from the right was then tucked away by the prolific Alfie Stanley to bring the Blues level.

And the contest was completely flipped on its head when another Kavanagh delivery was turned into his own net by a Swindon defender.

Academy manager Mark Kelly said: “We started the game really brightly and had a lot of control, moving the ball well.

“Our opponents were sitting deep, allowing us plenty of possession. We continued our passing game, but the final one was getting cut out and then Swindon would break.

“They were asking quite a few questions of us, giving us a different test to deal with and we found ourselves two goals down at the break.

"This was just another test to deal with and in the end, we did that well."

Mark Kelly

“We were getting frustrated and had to show a bit more desire. That was something we spoke to the boys about and we also made some changes.

“If Swindon were giving us that much time on the ball, then we had to be braver to get around the back of them.

“That’s what happened and we were able to open the game up a bit more, getting our wingers into play.

“The boys had worked out what was required, our concentration levels improved and we found some more joy, scoring some good goals again.

“We’re getting used to different kinds of games, depending on the opponents we’re facing. This was just another test to deal with and in the end, we did that well.

“But we’ve gone two goals behind in successive games now and can’t take too long to get going, so there are lessons for the players to take on board.

“I was particularly pleased with the performance of Harry Jewitt-White when he came on during the second half.

“He’s away with a Wales U16 camp this week and was excellent. It’s nice to see a schoolboy looking so effective on the ball.”

Pompey: Pitman; Rew, Kelly, Robb, Kavanagh; Storey (Anderson 46), Bell (Jewitt-White 59); Brook, Lee (Bridgman 46), Teggart; Stanley


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