Hat-trick hero backed to add goals to Pompey midfield
That's the verdict of Mark Kelly after watching the youngster claim a superb hat-trick in last night's 5-1 thumping of Bognor.
May opened the Nyewood Lane scoring in the third minute '“ and completed his treble after 47 minutes.
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Hide AdWithout a first-team goal in 25 appearances, the midfielder demonstrated his goal-scoring credentials for a Pompey XI against the non-league Rocks.
Academy boss Kelly has overseen May's rise through the Fratton Park ranks after arriving at the age of seven.
And he has no doubt the 20-year-old can bring goals into Kenny Jackett's set-up.
Kelly said: '˜Adam's scored hat-tricks before in the youth team.
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Hide Ad'˜He was down at Brighton early yesterday and played a little part in the first-team friendly as well, so had a long day but that was some good quality from him last night.
'˜The first goal especially was very, very good. He's taken the first touch from across him and produced a great finish.
'˜He's turning into the footballer I know he is '“ so we've just got to be patient with him.
'˜Adam was very young when I first saw him. We had a lot of these babies in during the Premier League days.
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Hide Ad'˜They are 10 years in the building and a lot of people don't see them until they are out on the park.
'˜He can open up play, he can build things, he can score goals.
'˜I've seen him score goals from 30 yards, 20 yards, five yards '“Â he's got that in his range as well.
'˜He just needs to home in, develop that part of his game and add it to the first team.
'˜Against Bognor he was comfortable.
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Hide Ad'˜He led it, he was neat and tidy, very good, very controlled and used the ball cleverly at times.
'˜He's a good footballer who can score goals.'
Pompey drew 1-1 at Brighton yesterday morning as they began a busy schedule of two matches in a day.
Gareth Evans was missing from Jackett's squad for that encounter, although featured at Nyewood Lane.
Kelly added: '˜Gaz has not been very well and is coming back from a bit of an illness.
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Hide Ad'˜Last night was great for him. You've seen how much work we got out of him. It was really, really good.
'˜And Christian (Burgess) again applied himself very, very well. It's good to get minutes under his belt.
'˜Luke McGee was another. All the pros approached it the right way and did the right things.'Â