Bognor boss hails ongoing partnership with Portsmouth

Blues Academy skipper Joe Dandy joined the Rocks on loan on Wednesday.

The Ascot-born defender is the third Pompey player to move to Nyewood Lane on a temporary deal this season.

First-year professional Dan Smith and second-year scholar Bradley Lethbridge are also at Bognor. The pair have been in rampant form, plundering 14 goals between them.

Dandy will ease the Rocks'  injury crisis, following setbacks to Keaton Wood and Corey Heath.

The 17-year-old is expected to be involved in Bognor's Bostic League premier division trip to leaders Tonbridge Angels tomorrow.

Pearce is delighted to have signed Dandy on loan.

The boss said: '˜We've been ever so unlucky with injuries to both Keaton Wood and Corey Heath which has left us short.

'˜We have signed Joe from Portsmouth, on the same basis as Brad Lethbridge and Dan Smith. 

'˜We will look to partner him with Chad Field on Saturday at Tonbridge Angels and then, of course, we have a home game against Folkestone on Tuesday.

'˜Joe is a second-year scholar but we're told he has shown great promise even though is one of the younger members of Pompey's current crop of under-18s.

'˜As ever we are grateful to Pompey and we're delighted our association with them continues to flourish.

'˜Obviously, Robbie Blake has a good relationship with the management team at Fratton Park as well.'

Following the injuries to Wood and Heath, Pearce conceded Bognor's style of play may have been a contributing factor.

He added: '˜We encourage players to take lots of touches, not just whack it.

'˜That encourages contact and maybe leads to more injuries.'

Smith also misses the trip to Tonbridge.

The striker has been sidelined for at least four weeks with a hip flexor problem.