Pompey reserves fall to Robins defeat

The Blues, led by first-team coach Ian Foster and under-18s boss Mikey Harris, named a mixed side comprising first-team players and second-year scholars.

Amine Linganzi, Milan Lalkovic, Jack Whatmough and Drew Talbot were among the starters for the under-23s competition which makes allowances for older professionals.

The Robins’ development side, though, netted in either half at their training ground to ensure all three points from the group-stage encounter.

Jake Andrews fired them ahead from the penalty spot on 22 minutes when Osagi Bascome had been bundled over in the area.

Pompey youngster Harvey Bradbury threatened an equaliser after the restart only for home keeper JoJo Wollacott to expertly deny his header.

And moments later the visitors were missed to pay when Connor Lemonheigh-Evans dispatched George Dowling’s cutback from close range.

The Blues came close to pulling a goal back when Bradbury’s effort was deflected behind, before appeals for a penalty when Adam Buxton was felled in the area late on fell on deaf ears.

The visitors, who won their previous Central League Cup group game 4-1 over Newport, are still to travel to Exeter in the competition with a date still to be decided for that fixture.

Pompey reserves: O’Brien, Widdrington, Bedford, Bradbury, Lalkovic, Hyam, Buxton, Linganzi, Talbot, Whatmough, Davies