Gillingham were eliminated from the U17 PDL Cup on Tuesday evening following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Portsmouth at Holm Park. Dane Bailey opened the scoring with George Wilson doubling the advantage for the visitors. Kelly Adams pulled one back, only for Nathaniel Chioma to restore the two-goal cushion shortly afterwards. The hosts rallied and sub, Billy Doy, converted a late penalty, with a header in the dying stages going just over the bar. Gills started well, keeping possession and controlling the early stages, however Pompey began exerting some authority on the tie following the first ten minutes and went close through Chioma before Bailey did secure the opener. Pompey got the important second goal on 51 minutes when George Wilson was first to react when a loose ball presented itself inside the box, and his effort was enough to find a way past Spencer. With the visitors seemingly in control, Gills pulled one back on 65 minutes when a free-kick on the edge of the box was delivered by Alfie Cross towards the far post and Kelly Adams got on the end of it, converting from close range. However, within seven minutes the visitors had restored their two-goal lead when Chioma’s brilliant strike found the top corner. Pompey: Oscar Glover, Max Hammond, Ciaran Martin, Aston Sizer, George Wilson, Jakub Jablonski, Nathaniel Chioma, Elisha Pfupa, Dane Bailey, Christian Agu, Brandon Downey
