please log in to view this image Pompey Academy started their new Youth Alliance League campaign by beating MK Dons 3-1 at Copnor Road. Nathanial Chioma capitalised on a ball in behind from Fraser Thomas to open the scoring and give the hosts an interval lead. They conceded an equaliser after the break, but Tayo Singerr came off the bench to ensure all three points would be claimed. He restored the advantage with a close-range finish after Reggie Buckland had met a set-piece, then spun sharply on the edge of the box to fire home a third for the Blues. Lead professional development phase coach Sam Hudson said: “It was nice to start the new season with a win – and it was a result that we thoroughly deserved. “There were a few butterflies in the opening 10 minutes, but we looked good once we settled and pressed aggressively to nullify the attacking play of our opponents. “Once we got to grips with the fact they were playing a back five, we found some joy and started to create a few half-chances. “The main criticism of the first period was that we didn’t switch the play enough and that was an area we told the lads to focus on when we got them in at the break. “Nat had already given us the lead by that point with a nice finish and those were his first competitive minutes for a while because of an injury last season. “We started the second half strongly, only to concede out of nowhere from a long ball that we just didn’t deal with at all. “For a short period after that we were unable to get to grips with the game, but there was a drinks break because of the heat and we told the lads to revert to what they’d been doing previously. “Tayo came off the bench and scored twice – once from a set-piece and then again with a really composed finish. “It was nice to see Jakub Jablonski and Elisha Pfupa from the under-16s play the whole game, while George Tregguna – who is still only 14 – got 30 minutes. “They were all able to make a real impact, particularly Jakub with his duelling, so that was particularly pleasing.” Pompey: Oscar Glover; Michael Ani, Ashton Sizer (George Tregguna 60), George Wilson, Beau Mullins; Fraser Thomas, Reggie Buckland, Jakub Jablonski; Nathaniel Chioma (Tayo Singerr 60), Dane Bailey, Elisha Pfupa
