Pompey Starting Line Up:- Ben Killip, Nathan Ferguson, Ibane Bowat, Hayden Matthews, Jacob Farrell, Zak Swanson, Terry Devlin, Paddy Lane, Reuben Swann, Harry Clout, Chinedu Agu Subs: Oscar Glover, Fraser Thomas, Beau Mullins, Reggie Buckland, George Wilson, Dane Bailey, Michael Ani, Billy Gilooly, Elisha Pfupa, Jakub Jablonski, Kyran Sylvanus
Portsmouth FC Match Report:- Pompey played out a goalless draw with neighbours Havant & Waterlooville in their latest pre-season contest at Westleigh Park. Ryan Seager had a chance to win it for the hosts in the closing stages, but his spot-kick was smartly saved by Ben Killip. John Mousinho utilised a mix of youth and experience against Southern League opponents, with more valuable minutes for the fit-again Ibane Bowat. There was not much to entertain a healthy Westleigh Park crowd in the lifeless opening stages, with goalmouth action at a premium. Bowat did manage to get on the end of Zak Swanson’s corner, although could not make a clean enough connection. It was the hosts who were first to threaten on 17 minutes when Nana Owusu raced through on goal, only to hit a weak effort straight at Killip. Nobody could get a touch on former Hawks loanee Swann’s centre at the other end, as the ball flashed invitingly across the box. And Killip was soon called into action again, staying on his feet long enough to deal with fellow skipper Seager’s shot. Trialist Nathan Ferguson soon sent in a decent cross for Pompey, but that was diverted wide by the leaping Terry Devlin. The visitors were starting to look more of an attacking threat and a Swanson centre was nodded into the side netting from the tightest of angles by Paddy Lane. Ferguson then raced away down the right and cut the ball back for Lane to hit a shot that was deflected past the post. There was more late pressure from the Blues as the seconds ticked down and Bowat headed a Lane free-kick over the bar as the Hawks held firm. Half Time: Hawks 0 Pompey 0 Academy duo Michael Ani and Fraser Thomas were brought on at the break, as Bowat and Swann made way. It was Devlin who had a chance to break the deadlock in the opening seconds of the half, though, with a shot that did not overly trouble Ben Dudzinski between the sticks. Lane then caught the ball sweetly from the edge of the box, but his powerful attempt was unfortunately lacking in precision. And when Swanson sent a free-kick right onto the head of Jacob Farrell, the left-back should have guided his attempt on target. It was the last piece of action for both players, who made way for Dane Bailey and Beau Mullins just before the hour mark. The changes kept on coming, with youngsters Elisha Pfupa, Billy Gilooly, Reggie Buckland, George Wilson, Jakub Jablonski and Kyran Sylvanus all entering the fray. It meant that Pompey would finish the game with an entire academy side – excluding keeper Killip – on the pitch. But they equipped themselves well against more senior opposition, as the Hawks attempted to take advantage. Harvey Bradbury, in particular, tried to wriggle through a couple of times, but was well dealt with by Buckland and Wilson. The hosts had a great chance to snatch victory right at the end after Reuben Austin was brought down in the box, but Killip dived to his right to save Seager’s penalty. And Killip then kept out Brendan Willson’s header from point-blank range moments later to ensure the game ended goalless. Hawks (4-4-2): Ben Dudzinski (Trialist B 60); Harry Kavanagh, Young, Brendan Wilson, Harvey Laidlaw (Austin 60); Trialist A (Trialist D 80), Pendlebury, Mitch Aston, Nana Owusu (Harvey Bradbury 72); Alfie Whittingham (Trialist C 72), Ryan Seager (c) Sub not used: Goddard Pompey (4-3-3): Ben Killip (c); Nathan Ferguson (George Wilson 65), Hayden Matthews (Reggie Buckland 65), Ibane Bowat (Michael Ani 46), Jacob Farrell (Beau Mullins 59); Terry Devlin (Jakub Jablonski 68), Zak Swanson (Dane Bailey 59), Reuben Swann (Fraser Thomas 46); Paddy Lane (Billy Gilooly 62), Chinedu Agu (Kyran Sylvanus 76), Harry Clout (Elisha Pfupa 62) Sub not used: Oscar Glover
