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Match Day Thread Pompey v West Ham under 21's - EFL Trophy

Discussion in 'Portsmouth' started by Wooperts_duck, Nov 12, 2020.

  1. Wooperts_duck

    Wooperts_duck Well-Known Member
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    Pompey 0 West Ham U21 1
    Youthful Blues suffer rare defeat in Papa John’s Trophy.

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    Pompey missed out on securing top spot in Southern Group A of the Papa John’s Trophy after suffering a narrow defeat to West Ham U21s at Fratton Park.

    Kai Corbett netted the only goal of the contest against an extremely youthful home side, with six teenagers making their maiden senior outing for the club.

    Both times had already qualified for the knockout stages, although a first loss in the competition for almost three years ensured the Blues will be on the road in the next round.

    Kenny Jackett made 11 changes from the side that won at Ipswich to progress in the FA Cup at the weekend.

    He handed debuts to third year scholars Harry Kavanagh and Alfie Stanley, as well as academy midfielder Charlie Bell.

    Jordy Hiwula was given a first start for the club, joining fellow senior professionals Paul Downing – who skippered the team – James Bolton, Bryn Morris and Alex Bass.

    Haji Mnoga was provided with another chance to impress, while Eoin Teggart and Harvey Rew completed the line-up following their appearances in the same competition last season.

    Nobody on the bench had featured in a senior game for Pompey, as Duncan Turnbull joined a host of players from the under-18 side.

    But the young Blues found themselves behind after just four minutes, as Emmanuel Longelo cut the ball back for Corbett to squeeze home a shot.

    The hosts took a while to find their feet and there were a few passes going astray in the opening stages.

    But they gradually began to settle and play some nice possession football, without really being able to test Nathan Trott.

    The Hammers keeper was called into action for the first time on 19 minutes, but not overly troubled by Kavanagh’s header from a Teggart delivery.

    Stanley and Hiwula then did well to steal possession and launch an attack, with Alfie Lewis’ foul on the latter earning him a booking.

    Pompey were the stronger side as the interval neared and they almost found an equaliser before the whistle blew.

    Hiwula showed some nifty footwork inside the box, but his low drive was saved by Trott’s feet at the keeper’s near post.

    Half Time: Pompey 0 West Ham U21 1

    There did not look much on following the restart when Mnoga overhit his pass over the top towards Kavanagh.

    But Longelo made a mess of his pass back to Trott and the keeper did well to get there before the hosts could capitalise.

    Oladapo Afolayan then hit something that was between a cross and a shot at the other end, with the effort ultimately flashing past the post.

    The same player then struck a fierce shot towards the target, only for Bolton to bravely fling himself into the path of the ball.

    Pompey were trying to launch some threatening attacks and a delivery from Teggart drifted towards goal, with Trott having to claim it underneath his own bar.

    Jackett made a double switch on 66 minutes, as Harry Jewitt-White and Harrison Brook – aged 16 and 17 respectively – replaced Stanley and Brook to become the latest debutants.

    The hosts were playing some really nice stuff, with Rew and Teggart linking up particularly well down the left, but were not making too much of an impact in the final third.

    Seok Jae Lee was also handed his Blues bow in the closing stages, as Bell made his way from the pitch.

    But it was the more senior Bolton who had a chance to grab a late leveller, stretching to get on the end of Teggart’s cross and hooking the ball narrowly over.

    And the Hammers almost added a second goal just before the end, hitting a ferocious strike that cannoned back off the crossbar.

    Pompey (4-4-2): Alex Bass; Haji Mnoga, James Bolton, Paul Downing (c), Harvey Rew; Harry Kavanagh (Harrison Brook 66), Charlie Bell (Seok Jae Lee 79),Bryn Morris, Eoin Teggart; Alfie Stanley (Harry Jewitt-White 66), Jordy Hiwula
    Booked: Haji Mnoga, Paul Downing
    Subs not used: Duncan Turnbull, Setters, Hughes, Alfie Bridgman

    West Ham U21 (3-4-3): Trott; Okotcha, Johnson (c), Greenidge; Rosa (Forbes 80), Appiah-Forson, Lewis, Longelo (Chesters 72); Corbett, Afolayan, Swyer (Adarkwa 83)
    Goals: Corbett 4
    Booked: Lewis
    Subs not used: Anang, Fevrier, Potts, Woods

    Referee: Kevin Johnson
     
    #1
  2. Wooperts_duck

    Wooperts_duck Well-Known Member
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    The match took place on Tuesday evening, but unfortunately I was out of action from Sunday until today, as admitted to hospital for urgent surgery :steam:

    One of my daughters did kindly text me updates during the game.
     
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  3. Wooperts_duck

    Wooperts_duck Well-Known Member
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  4. pompeydownunder

    pompeydownunder Well-Known Member

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    Sincerely hope all is well with you post - op Woops
     
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  5. Wooperts_duck

    Wooperts_duck Well-Known Member
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    Cheers pdu - still a bit sore, but being well looked after by my lovely wife <cheers>
     
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  6. pompeydownunder

    pompeydownunder Well-Known Member

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    Well I finally got tot watch the replay of the game on ifollow.
    I hate to say it but West Ham probably edged it and were worth their win.
    However, giving 1st team players a rest and blooding youngsters was probably the right move.
    Neither side created a lot in terms of chances - the West Ham goal excepted.
    It was very difficult to quantitively the quality gap between this game and a league 1 fixture - but there was a gap.
    the mature players in the Pompey lineup - Dowling, Bolton, Morris, all played competently.
    At this level Bolon looked at home as a central defender. Bass also played competently but had little to do.
    At the other end Hiwula was, in fairness, starved of service, but, to the extent he was involved, did not give the impression he was ready to step up to league 1 level.
    Minoga definitely looks ready for a first team opportunity. As with all full backs it would enhance his chances if he could deputize on both flanks. It may not be too much of a stretch to envisage him as a ball winning mid-fielder. He definitely has a desirable ' rough edge' as well as good pace and skill.
    of the much younger players Bell caught my eye as having potential down the track.
     
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  7. SaintLapras

    SaintLapras Well-Known Member

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    PORTSMOUTH ARE NOT JUST TRAINING OPPOSITION FOR WEST HAM'S KIDS, THEY CAN **** RIGHT OUT OF THIS COMPETITION AND TAKE THE REST OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE B TEAMS WITH THEM

    Hope you're feeling well post surgery, woopert
     
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  8. Wooperts_duck

    Wooperts_duck Well-Known Member
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    Thank you Lapras, it's still a bit painful, but getting there ! :)
     
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  9. devonFRATTONiser

    devonFRATTONiser Well-Known Member
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  10. Wooperts_duck

    Wooperts_duck Well-Known Member
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    Blues Away To Cheltenham In Papa John's Trophy - Pompey will face League Two side in second round.

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    Pompey have been drawn away to League Two side Cheltenham in the second round of the Papa John's Trophy.

    The tie will be played at Whaddon Road in the week commencing December 7.

    Competition holders Pompey – who are still waiting to play Salford in last season's final – were guaranteed an away fixture after finishing second in Southern Group A.

    Michael Duff's Robins, meanwhile, topped a group containing Norwich U21s, Plymouth and Newport with a 100 per cent record and without conceding a goal.

    They were beaten in the fourth tier play-offs at the end of last season and are currently sitting third in the table.
     
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