please log in to view this image Pompey Academy progressed to the second round of the Portsmouth Divisional FA Cup with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Meon Milton. Connor May (pictured) bagged a brace at Westleigh Park, with Nathaniel Chioma and Harry Clout also finding the target. It took just seven minutes for the Blues to break the deadlock, with Craig Mulholland unable to get a strong enough hand on a shot from CHIOMA to keep it out of the net. They continued to pass the ball around nicely and were in almost total control of possession, but Meon Milton made it tough to find a way through. And the Hampshire Premier League side found themselves level when Dan Edwards converted Toby Appleby’s pin-point cross with a firm header. Pompey continued to showcase some patient build-up play, though, and retook the lead when a quick free-kick caused problems and Jermaine Osifo’s effort was diverted home by MAY. They might have had another before the break, but after collecting Michael Ani’s incisive pass, May’s strike was tipped over by Mulholland. Half Time: Pompey 2 Meon Milton 1 Reggie Buckland went close with an opportunistic long-range effort early in the second half that the keeper just about kept out. Ciaran Martin then cut the ball back into the centre of box, where Clout was waiting to drill a low shot narrowly past the post. A third goal did arrive just past the hour mark, however, with CLOUT coolly converting from the spot after Ani had been fouled. And MAY had his second of the evening on 78 minutes, tapping home from close range after Martin’s attempt had been parried away by Mulholland. But the keeper denied Pompey a fifth soon after, coming off his line to narrow the angles when Chioma went charging clear. Lead professional development phase coach Sam Hudson said: “It was a pretty decent performance and we wanted to score early, then control the game from there. “Our opponents went into a block quite early and so a lot of the time we had to remain patient and look to pick our moments. “The players found it difficult at times in the first half to lose their man and we were looking for some better movement. “It became a bit more stretched after the break and we were able to create chances, so it was pleasing to see how clinical we were. “At the start of the season we had opportunities and weren’t taking them, which is why it’s particularly nice that we’ve scored eight goals in the past two games.” Pompey: Conal McDermott; Michael Ani, Cody Howard, Reggie Buckland, Ciaran Martin; Jayden Keteku, Luke Staight (c), Harry Clout; Nathaniel Chioma, Connor May, Jermaine Osifo Subs not used: Oscar Glover, Beau Mullins, Tayo Singerr
