…but it comes at a price!
We extended our unbeaten run in the reserves to 3 games, which by our ressie standards of recent times is pretty good, when we beat West Brom 1-0 at Westleigh Park on Tuesday – sadly early injuries to Marc Wilson and Jerome Thomas marred this!
This is the report from the Pompey Site…
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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RESERVES BEAT BAGGIES
Pompey Reserves 1 West Bromwich Albion Reserves 0
Paris Cowan-Hall’s first-half strike was enough for Pompey to win the battle of two youthful reserve sides at Westleigh Park.
Linvoy Primus, Marc Wilson and Jerome Thomas were the only players in Guy Whittingham’s side with any first-team experience for the Blues.
The visitors had the first attempt on goal but Sebastian Lake-Gaskin’s long-range effort was comfortably held by Asmir Begovic on four minutes.
Pompey’s keeper then raced off his line to bravely save at the feet of Chris Wood and keep the scores level.
At the other end Tero Mantyla’s free-kick from wide on the right was punched unconvincingly clear by Baggies keeper Ryan Allsop.
The ball fell to Blues skipper Primus on the edge of the area but the defender’s shot was blocked.
Gael Nlundulu’s fine through ball sent Cowan-Hall into space on 13 minutes. The striker appeared to have a clear route to goal but he was brilliantly dispossessed by Cameron Gayle.
But the Baggies were soon back on the attack and Begovic had to be at his best to keep out Lake-Gaskin’s angled shot.
Pompey were dealt a blow midway through the first half when Thomas and Wilson both limped off to be replaced by Pablo Navas Alors and Gautier Mahoto.
Paul Hart later revealed that Thomas had suffered a hamstring injury while Wilson’s substitution was just precautionary.
But they could have taken the lead on 33 minutes when Marlon Pack headed Mahoto’s cross across goal, only for the ball to somehow evade three blue-shirted players.
Mahoto and Pack combined again minutes later and this time it did lead to a goal. The latter’s header found COWAN-HALL, who had the simple task of knocking the ball into an empty net from close range.
West Brom came close to levelling just before the interval but Sam Mantom rolled the ball inches wide after connecting with Lake-Gaskin’s low cross into the area.
Half Time: Pompey 1 West Brom 0
Pompey had a good opportunity to double their advantage early in the second half but Mahoto shot tamely into Allsop’s arms after some superb build-up play by Tom Kilbey.
Lake-Gaskin then fired a fierce effort inches past the post as the visitors looked to get back on level terms.
Pack should have put Pompey further ahead on 66 minutes when he met Mahoto’s cross but he shot straight at a grateful Allsop who diverted the ball clear.
Kilbey thought he should have won a penalty on 72 minutes when he appeared to be dragged to the ground, but referee Marvin Thompson was not interested.
West Brom pushed forward late in the game but they were unable to break a solid Blues back-line and Pompey comfortably held on for all three points.
Pompey: Begovic; Mantyla, Wilkinson, Primus (c), Blackman; Pack, Wilson (Mahoto 28); Nlundulu, Kilbey, Thomas (Navas Alors 26); Cowan-Hall
Goals: Cowan-Hall 37
Subs not used: O’Brien, Gregory, Ciftci
West Brom: Allsop; Samuels, Gayle, Downing, Martin; Knight (Berahino 73), Labadie (c) (Sawyers 62), Thorne, Mantom; Wood, Lake- Gaskin
Subs not used: Lovell, Waghorne, Grier
Referee: Marvin Thompson
Attendance: 215
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