Young Blues record 3-0 triumph

Pompey Academy warmed up for their Merit League One campaign with a 3-0 friendly victory over a Southampton side at Bath University.





They took an early lead when Kaleem Haitham’s effort was parried clear by the opposition goalkeeper and Lewis Gill followed up to convert the loose ball.





And the Blues doubled their advantage before the break, with Adam May teeing-up Fahad Rwakarambwe for a neat finish.





But the goal of the game arrived courtesy of centre-back Snorre Nilsen (pictured) in the second half.





He surged forward from defence before playing the ball out wide, keeping his run going to collect it back, waltz through the Southampton back-line and fire into the bottom corner.





Academy coach Mikey Harris said: “It was an all-round good performance and I was pleased to see the first and second year lads operating as a cohesive unit.





“Alex Bass deserved his clean sheet because he made some excellent saves – one was Gordon Banks-esque to turn the ball over from point-blank range.





“Now we look forward to starting our Merit League fixtures. It was important to qualify for the top division because we always want our players to test themselves.”





Pompey: Bass; Davies, Nilsen, Field, Haunstrup; Rwakarambwe, Granger, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Haitham; Gill, Sayers

Subs: Yates, May, Bradbury