View: Portsmouth youngsters give fresh reason to be positive
Portsmouth are finding their feet this season at academy level as the Blues’ Under-18 side have secured back-to-back four-goal victories.
After a 4-2 win at Bromley in the Youth Alliance League at the weekend, a 4-1 midweek success over Meon Milton at Westleigh Park in the Portsmouth Divisional FA Cup added to the momentum.
Tayo Singerr, who ended last season in great form, netted a hat-trick against Bromley while Connor May bagged a brace in the most recent win as Harry Clout made an impact once again to find the net, while Nathaniel Chioma has scored two in two.
Elsewhere, John Mousinho has shrugged off any worry about Reuben Swann’s loan deal with Havant & Waterlooville, with the 18-year-old having not yet started a match for the Hawks – the Pompey boss told The News he must earn the right to play [24 September].
Portsmouth U18s looking bright
As Portsmouth currently do not compete at Under-21 level, the scholars in the U18s are flying the flag for the club’s academy.
While this could apply more pressure as they vie for professional contracts, the young lads appear to be taking things in their stride and showing encouraging mentality to recover from some early-season defeats.
Despite the club’s swollen first-team squad – in more ways than one as injuries put paid to a large selection pool for Mousinho – Clout has notably garnered attention with his appearances on the first-team bench.
Swann was also credited by the Blues head coach after a positive pre-season following his move from non-league AFC Sudbury, now looking to force a way into the Havant side.
The likes of Singerr and Chioma will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Clout and earn some senior recognition this campaign, which has become harder with the absence of the EFL Trophy after promotion to the Championship.
Portsmouth fans will be keeping a keen eye on proceedings in Sam Hudson’s side to see who their next local breakthrough gem could be.
In other Portsmouth news, an ex-FIFA referee reacts to the officiating for Pompey’s goal at Burnley.
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