Louis Dennis bagged a second half brace as a Pompey XI beat Gosport 2-0 at Privett Park.

The visitors dominated a low-key contest that was short on clear-cut opportunities at both ends of the pitch.

But Dennis struck twice in the space in the space of just four minutes after the break, while Oscar Johnston wrapped up the victory late on.

The team – with academy manager Mark Kelly in charge – contained a mix of first team and youth players.

Luke McGee, Christian Burgess, Brandon Haunstrup, Danny Rose and Dennis were all given a run-out against the Southern League outfit.

Pompey, unsurprisingly, dominated possession on a cool evening on the south coast, but there were not many scoring changes during the first half.

A couple of corners ultimately came to nothing, with Rose firing wide when one landed at his feet outside the box.

Scott Walters then did well not to turn a low Dennis delivery into his own net, while Josh Flint’s effort was deflected past the post.

McGee was comfortable dealing with anything in the Blues box, but it was also fairly quiet for opposite number Mark Childs.

Dan Smith should have done more to test him on 19 minutes, as he guided Flint’s cross straight into the keeper’s arms.

Gosport’s best chance came when the visitors failed to clear the ball and it pinged around their box, before McGee was eventually able to gather.

Dennis tried his luck from long-range just before the interval, but the ball sailed high over the crossbar.

Half Time: Gosport 0 Pompey XI 0

It was Dennis who also had the first chance of the second half and his curling free-kick came back off the stanchion behind the goal.

Freddie Read then gifted the hosts possession and Dave Jerrard advanced forward, only to scuff a shot that was kept out by McGee.

But it was the Blues who finally did manage to break the deadlock just past the hour mark, with DENNIS getting his first goal in a Pompey shirt.

The midfielder’s effort was certainly not the fiercest, but it somehow found its way through bodies in the box and ended up in the bottom corner.

And it was DENNIS who doubled the advantage moments later, collecting a fine threaded pass by Burgess and cutting on to his left foot before coolly finding the net.

Pompey were totally on top and looked capable of adding to the scoring as they caused the home defence problems.

Their opponents were being restricted to long-range attempts and one from Joe Lea did not overly concern McGee.

The Blues were more clinical and substitute JOHNSTON wrapped things up by collecting Dennis’ pass and emphatically finding the top corner.

Gosport (3-5-2): Childs; Wakley, Flooks (c), Leigh; Walters, Brooks (Lea 46), Harper (Hoare 46), Jerrard, Lafleur; Tubbs (Morris 68), McAllister (Pennery 46)

Sub not used: Parker

Pompey XI (4-2-3-1): McGee; Kavanagh (Mnoga 46), Burgess (c), Casey, Haunstrup; Read (Whiting 87), Rose; Maloney (Johnston 75), Dennis, Flint (Lethbridge 46); Smith

Goals: Dennis 63, 67, Johnston 88

Subs not used: L.Pitman, Bruce, Hancott, Robb, Stanley, Bridgman



Attendance: 1,010