Pompey Reserves plough through snow to defeat Royal Navy

Second-year scholar Dan Smith bagged a hat-trick for Mark Kelly’s troops, with Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain also on target.

Brandon Haunstrup continued his comeback from a knee injury by featuring in a left-back role.

Professionals Alex Bass, Theo Widdrington and Jez Bedford also turned out for the Blues.

Kelly praised his side’s performance against the Royal Navy and believes the clash proved to be a useful exercise.

He said: ‘Brandon Haunstrup had a run-out and it was a side made up of young pros and academy boys.

‘It was a good exercise to get minutes under belts in different areas for people.

‘The navy were looking for a game as they play the army on Wednesday.

‘They brought down all their lads from all over the place.

‘It was a chance to get some minutes in a competitive game. That’s always better than training.

‘The navy haven’t got a bad group.

‘They have young lads who have been scholars and young pros at clubs on the way through before joining the navy.

‘The best thing is you always get a runaround when you play them!

‘Physically they give you a game so mentally the lads had to deal with it.

‘It was a good exercise for us and a good exercise for them.’

Meanwhile, Kelly wants to see his Pompey Academy side be more composed in front of goal when they travel to Cambridge United in Merit League 1 on Saturday.

The young Blues were held to a goalless draw against AFC Bournemouth last weekend.

Kelly’s men had chances to win the game, with Bradley Lethbridge, Leon Maloney and Alfie Stanley all missing decent opportunities.

‘It was a good game to watch,’ added Pompey’s youth chief.

‘Bournemouth always want to play a certain way as well.

‘We just lacked that cutting edge we needed after getting into good areas.

‘Bradley Lethbridge is coming back from a two-week injury absence after having concussion.

‘He had two or three really good chances, which usually he would stick in and it’s about him refinding his sharpness.

‘We also had four under-16s playing for us which was pleasing and they did well.

‘The lads were disappointed because they had enough chances to win two games of football.’