Pompey Academy exited the Hampshire Cup with a 7-6 loss on penalties after the second round tie finished goalless at the end of 90 minutes. They had the better chances before the break and Fraser Thomas sent one shot narrowly off target before a second was tipped over the bar by Miles Bartram. There was also a Ciaran Martin corner that led to an almighty goalmouth scramble before the ball was eventually hacked clear. And with the final piece of action of the first half, Ashton Sizer met a Michael Ani delivery with a header that struck the crossbar. There was not much to excite a healthy crowd after the break, although Romsey’s Brandon Hill fired wastefully over with just Conal McDermott to beat. The keeper then made an even better stop to somehow keep out an effort for the hosts that took a wicked deflection. But with the deadlock remaining unbroken, the tie went to penalties and both sides scored four of their initial five, with Reggie Buckland, Nathaniel Chioma, Michael Ani and Beau Mullins all finding the target. Martin’s attempt was saved by Bartram, but Hill immediately struck the post to take the shoot-out to sudden death. And although Dane Bailey and Dexter Lee both scored, Chinedu Agu’s shot flew wide and Aaron Scott stepped up to win it for Romsey. Lead professional development phase coach Sam Hudson said: “We’re obviously disappointed to exit the competition and losing on penalties is always a horrible way to go out. “It wasn’t a great game of football – it was very bitty and Romsey did a very good job of breaking up the play. “We actually built up quite well and the problem for us was just being able to connect the middle of the pitch to the final third. “I thought we competed well and I was proud of the lads for the effort they showed, the way the duelled and how they dealt with the crowd. “But I expect us to be better on the ball in the centre of the park – whether that’s the midfield, defenders stepping up or forwards dropping deep.” Pompey: Conal McDermott (c); Michael Ani, Ashton Sizer, George Wilson, Beau Mullins; Ciaran Martin, Reggie Buckland; Max Hammond (Dexter Lee 89), Fraser Thomas (Chinedu Agu 75), Jermaine Osifo (Nathaniel Chioma 61); Dane Bailey Subs not used: Oscar Glover, Elisha Pfupa
