Match-winner Marcus Harness praises win over Colchester which gives Portsmouth confidence heading into Shrewsbury curtain-raiser

Marcus Harness, right, celebrates his second goal. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

The winger netted two goals in as many first-half minutes as the Blues eased to a 2-0 win at Frattton Park.

The scoreline could have been more emphatic, with Kenny Jackett's side missing several good chances in the second period.

The real test now starts when Pompey host Shrewsbury in their first league game of the campaign on Saturday.

And the Blues are buoyed with confidence heading into that clash at PO4.

Harness said: ‘It was a good game and it gives us good confidence going into Saturday.

‘We played pre-season friendlies against Norwich under-23s, Brighton and Gosport. It's difficult to get anything out of those games for different reasons.

‘Stevenage and Colchester were good tests and we'll go into Saturday in much better shape and much better prepared because of them.

‘They had periods when they had a lot of the ball but it was just about staying patient and not getting frustrated when they had a lot of the ball.

‘We knew that we would get our chances and when we get them, we will put them away.

‘It was a good performance, a professional performance and we've kept a clean sheet.

‘It's about doing more of that and hopefully we can get results.’

Both of Harness' goals were composed finishes, which left Colchester keeper Shamal George with no chance.

The former Burton man netted nine times for the Blues during his maiden season last term.

And he's aiming to build on that tally this time around.

Harness added: ‘Maybe in my first few seasons in front of goal in the first team when I was younger, I was a bit nervous.

‘I used to maybe snatch at things and didn't score many goals for the first few seasons.

‘As a player, I've always been good in front of goal and I've finally found the confidence to relax and do what I can.‘It's working at the minute so I'll try to build on it and hopefully can chip in a lot this season.’

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