Thought I'd take a wander down to Fratton last night to take in the 3rd round FA Cup Youth tie between Pompey and Bristol City. I was pleasantly surprised to see at least 7-800 other hardy souls had paid their £4.00 to take their place up in the South stand on what was a very chilly evening. Pompey started brightly and created a couple of good chances before taking the lead after 20 minutes or so. They went 2-0 up with a cracking cross shot from the left that would have graced any game. After the interval, Pompey dominated things again but were caught out by a quick break by City and conceded to make it 2-1. Pompey then turned up the pressure and hit back almost immediately with a fine cross and header. Two more goals sealed a fine win and a good nights entertainment. Captain Sam Magri looked a class act marshalling things in midfield and spraying around a fine selection of passes. He should have got his name on the scoresheet but his firmly struck penalty kick was well saved by the city keeper. All in all, there were strong performances all over the pitch. Ryan Williams looks as though he's nearly there for first team duty and there is a lot of promise right through the team. Andy Awford should be rightfully proud of his charges and what he's achieved so far.Michael Appleton, sitting in the stand,must have been impressed. If they get home draw in the next round, I will definitely be down there again cheering them on.
Well that may be the case, but after turning over Manure on thier own turf and trouncing your lot twice already this season, I have every faith in them.
Baby steps Redstripe. It's not even a year since Smalley was relieved of his duty as academy manager, and Awford and co are improving the set up by the day. You lot have not beat us since the change. Give it some time and we'll be further up the table.
Not sure about that AB20, Just because we are top of the league means nothing if we have lost to Pompey. You should only win a couple of games if you are to produce quality youngsters. Dam close the academy down.
Yeah I'm not saying that their academy is a great one,it's not.We could say that their academy still has plenty of catching up to do on ours which is consired by many at the moment as the best academy in Britain(in terms of the quality of players coming through).
The thing is many of our youngsters are training with the 1st team or they are away on international duty so you are basically playing against our reserve team.
Not all of them were away and you know that. Even if they were it should still like Pompey playing Chelsea reserves. Our team still can't compare. Just our players wanted it more.
Learn how to spell Beefy before you come on here, otherwise people will think you have Mad Cow disease, and will avoid you like the plague..........
James ward-prowse,luke shaw,jack stephens,corby moore,sam hoskins,reeves we're out(our best players) http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2514046,00.html. Well done on beating the best u18's side in Britain.
Their names will be remembered in this place. Like flowers, that have courageously bloomed. They will answer for the sake of tomorrow. The captivating echo that shakes everyone. Come gather, under the name of Pompey!
They are, in fact, direct translations, from the Japanese version of Team Rocket. Which I have adapted for my own ends. Anyone that doesn't like it, will be banished to the land of wind and ghosts.
