Pompey Academy beat Sutton 2-1 at Copnor Road to get their Merit League One campaign off to a successful start.
It was an impressive result for a side containing four members of the under-16 squad and two debutants from the under-15s.
The Blues opened the scoring before the break, when a flowing passing move led to Harvey Laidlaw crossing for Mitch Aston (pictured) to head home.
And it was another delivery from Laidlaw that Tayo Singerr converted in the second half to double the advantage.
The visitors reduced their deficit after having a player sent off for two bookable offences, but it proved no more than a consolation.
Lead professional development phase coach Sam Hudson said: “It’s a really good start to the Merit League from us and I was pleased with our performance across the board.
“Sutton were very direct and we had to find our way in the game before our in-possession qualities started to shine through.
“Mitch played a little bit further forward than usual, which was partly down to the personnel we had available, but we also felt it was a good challenge and he did great.
“Our football started to do the talking and some of the combination play was particularly impressive, but we were just missing that spark in the final third.
“We opened the scoring with our first clear-cut opportunity and 10 of the 11 players were involved in the move, beginning from the back and Mitch – who started the switch – got in the box to head home.
"We had a really young team – I’m not sure if we’ve had a 14-year-old starting between the sticks at this level before."
“At the break we were asking the boys to find some more control in the middle to really make our possession count.
“We got the second goal, with another assist from Harvey, who sent in a great cross that Tayo converted with a superb header. That gave us a nice cushion.
“There was just one lapse of concentration late on and a long ball was finished off by Sutton, but we got through the final few minutes.
“We had a really young team – I’m not sure if we’ve had a 14-year-old starting between the sticks at this level before and it’s credit to the goalkeeping department that he was ready for that.
“Xander Grieves deserved it because of his performances in training and he’s highly thought of by the club.
“We felt the opportunity was right to give him his first taste with us and the only disappointing thing is that he didn’t keep a clean sheet because he couldn’t do much about the one we conceded.
“We also had Fraser Thomas from the under-15s making his debut for us and he was a real threat one-v-one, while competing with Sutton’s physicality.
“Our centre-back pairing was made up of two players from the under-16s and they both dealt with their threats well.
“It just shows that the future is bright and credit must go to all the staff who have worked with those lads.”
Pompey: Grieves; Quarm, Buckland, Martin, Laidlaw; Staight, Ani (Murray 81); Thomas (Bosaka 75), Aston, Clout; Singerr
