Match Day Thread Forest Green 0 v 1 Pompey - Youth Alliance League

Harvey Laidlaw netted the only goal as Pompey won at Forest Green in the Youth Alliance League.

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The wing-back collected a fine diagonal pass from substitute Spencer Spurway (pictured) in the second half and slotted home to secure all three points for the Blues.

Lead professional development phase coach Zesh Rehman said: “With all our second years now fit, we have healthy competition for places and better options in possession.

“Spencer deserves a special mention for months of hard work to return to full fitness. His diagonal pass for the goal was world class.

“It came after a neat passage of play inside our own half and the ball went about 60 yards to the other side of the pitch, with a neat finish from Harvey.

“There were a few other opportunities that we were able to create from winning the ball high up the pitch and pressing is something we’d been working on all week.

“We probably should have scored at least a couple more goals and just need to be a bit more clinical in the final third.

“I’m pleased with the clean sheet. We protected our lead as a team and put bodies on the line to limit clear-cut chances for Forest Green.

“We are better than we were in our opening game. There have been a couple of hard-working ‘top-up’ weeks since facing Bournemouth and I’ve seen an improved attitude from the boys.”

Pompey: Malachi Osei-Owusu; Jack Fox (Spencer Spurway 60), Josh Dockerill, Kevin Bosaka; Quarm, Elliott Simpson, Mitch Aston (Daniel Murray 60), Harvey Laidlaw; Adam Payce, Jamie Howell (Maxwell Hurst 71), Koby Mottoh (Gabriel Kamavuako 60)