Smith wary of Pompey striking rivals after Bognor win

The Blues ran out 4-1 winners at sun-kissed Nyewood Lane last night.

Starting with Conor Chaplin and Curtis Main up front, both wrote themselves on the scoresheet during the first-half.

Smith then appeared as a 62nd-minute substitute – netting within five minutes from the penalty spot after Ben Tollitt had been fouled.

Midfielder Adam May completed the scoreline from distance, marking his second goal in as many games.

For Smith though, it was the other two scorers who are his first-team rivals in the season ahead.

He said: ‘It was a good performance, I thought the boys played really well in the first-half.

‘They created loads of chances and Curtis and Conor up front were a handful.

‘Their keeper did well to stop a few but they managed to get on the scoresheet, which is important for strikers.

‘We have got a good calibre of strikers at the club and are all going to push each other hard.

‘We all know what Conor is capable of, he is a goalscorer, you see that in training every day and he is going to keep us on our toes.

‘I also know Curtis quite well.

‘We came through the youth team together at Darlington, then he went to Middlesbrough and I went to Charlton.

‘I have played against him a few times since then as well

‘He’s aggressive, works hard and hasn’t got a foot – in that he can shoot just as well with his left as he can his right.

‘He is a very powerful player and scores goals, so there is plenty of competition.’

Smith has two goals in three pre-season appearances and is happy with progress.

He added: ‘As a team we are definitely getting there, we have been working on team shape and it is succeeding.’