Yes, Pompey continued the impressive goalscoring form the opening friendlies and yes the Blues won again but Kyle Bennett knows what’s most important when it comes to pre-season.
Getting your match fitness and sharpness is crucial.
Bennett was one of those involved as Pompey made it nine goals in two games when beating Havant 6-0 at Westleigh Park on Saturday.
He told portsmouthfc.co.uk: ‘Seven to eight weeks without touching a ball doesn’t seem too much, but you do lose that sharpness a bit. So getting a feel back for things like when you make your runs, as well building your fitness, is crucial.’
A ‘perfect workout’, victory, goals and another clean sheet would also be taken.
‘But you also want to win football matches and we’ve done that in the last two games without conceding a goal. It was the perfect workout for us and a few of the boys were able to get more than 70 minutes into them. That’s always useful at this stage, while you can’t really complain about six goals and another clean sheet.’
Had it not been for the crossbar Bennett would have also got himself on the scoresheet but he also knows he ‘sent about another seven over the stand!’
It was ‘nice’ for Conor Chaplin to get a hat trick on an afternoon the winger thought saw ‘everyone out there had a decent game.’
Having played with Enda Stevens at Doncaster prior to the pair linking up at Fratton Park, Bennett was familiar and friendly with Pompey’s former left back – his departure for Sheffield United has left a big void.
Brendon Haunstrup signed a new deal but Huddersfield loanee Tareiq Holmes-Dennis looks as if he’ll be the first choice left back this season and Bennett already feels the former Charlton man is a ‘brilliant player’ who will prove to be a fine signing.
Adding: ‘Enda and I know each other well and we did forge a good partnership, but he’s moved on to the Championship – and he deserved that. Tareiq’s come in and he’s a brilliant player. It’s a great acquisition for the squad and you can already see what he’ll bring to the team.’
PLAY UP POMPEY
Follow @VitalPortsmouth.
