Portsmouth Academy 6 Three Bridges 1 - Howell and Mottoh at the double as Blues secure FA Youth Cup progress

Zesh Rehman’s Academy side ran out 6-1 winners on a wet Fratton Park night, with two-goal pair Jamie Howell and Koby Mottoh leading the way.

The striker registered in each half and was joined on the scoresheet by Sam Folarin and Adam Payce as the hosts shone in front of a crowd of 379.

From the moment Folarin opened the scoring after 64 seconds, the outcome of the tie was never in any doubt, with goalkeeper Malachi Osei-Owusu barely tested.

Make no mistake, the Blues’ youngsters would have been expected to beat their Crawley-based non-league opponents, yet it was still a thoroughly convincing display.

Fielding four players with first-team experience this season – Josh Dockerill, Brian Quarm, Harvey Laidlaw and Payce – the hosts dictated play throughout and may have even added to the convincing tally.

Three Bridges refused to let their heads drop and, in time added on, Alex Kaye headed home a consolation from a right-wing cross delivered by Marley Bigg, the son of former athletics star Sally Gunnell, who was in attendance.

As it is, Pompey will now entertain Cambridge United in the second round later this month on a date still to be determined.

It took just 64 seconds for the Blues to open the deadlock – and what a lovely move it was too.

Emanating from a tackle won in the centre of the pitch, the ball was slipped into the right-hand channel for Adam Payce to race onto.

His right-footed cross was then superbly turned in first time by Folarin, connecting just ahead of keeper George Mead’s arrival.

The Blues should have doubled their advantage on 17 minutes when the overlapping Harvey Laidlaw delivered from the left and the ball found its way to Gabriel Kamavuako in front of goal.

However, the attacker’s touch was a heavy one, allowing the keeper to come out and gather.

Pompey deservedly made it 2-0 on 30 minutes through Howell, with a well-taken goal.

The striker showed his pace to engineer a one-on-one with the keeper before calmly finishing into the far corner of the net.

The first-half scoring wasn’t over, however, and, on 40 minutes, Kamavuako slipped the ball down the middle for right wing-back Mottoh to race onto and make it 3-0.

Pompey’s 3-0 half-time advantage appeared unassailable and they continued to push for more goals following the interval.

Goalscorer Folarin was brought off for Maxwell Hurst in the 54th minute with the crowd recognising his goal-scoring contribution.

Moments later, Laidlaw lashed a left-footed half-volley wide of the far post from inside the six-yard box to narrowly miss out on making it 4-0.

In the 62 minute, Hurst’s header was pushed onto the post by Three Bridges’ keeper and, from Payce’s resulting right-wing corner, Spencer Spurway headed wide

It was, though, 4-0 on 63 minutes when Payce swept home Mottoh’s cross from the right with a first-time finish from just outside the six-yard box.

Just three minutes later and it was 5-0 when Howell pounced with his second following a mix-up in the visitors’ penalty area.

On 86 minutes, Laidlaw's cross from the left was spilled by the goalkeeper as he attempted to take it above his head, and Mottoh bundled it in at the far post for 6-0.

It would be Three Bridges who would have the final say, though, with substitute Kaye heading home to make it 6-1 on a wet Fratton Park night.

Pompey: Osei-Owusu, Quarm, Spurway, Dockerill (67 mins Fox), Mottah, Laidlaw, Howell, Simpson, Kamavuako, Payce (67 mins Aston), Folarin (54 mins Hurst).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Murray, Aston, Bosaka.

Attendance; 379