Leon Maloney scoret tre mål da Pompeys akademilag slo Bristol Rovers 4-2 lørdag.

AKADEMI: Det var ingen tvil om hvem som var dagens mann da Pompey beseiret Bristol Rovers på bortebane. Først scoret Maloney like før pause etter forarbeid av Alfie Stanley og Stan Bridgman.

Rovers utlignet like etter pause, men Maloney scoret nok en gang slik at Pompey tok ledelsen tilbake. Rovers utlignet nok en gang, men Pompey tok så ledelsen 3-2 ved Oscar Johnston. Målgivende? Leon Maloney.

Mot slutten av kampen sørget Maloney så for at Pompey vant 4-2 da han smalt et frispark inn.

Akademi-manager Mark Kelly: «We played some excellent football in open play and looked really creative throughout the game. Leon got a hat-trick, although we were caught out from a long ball for the first goal we conceded, while the second came from a corner.»

“That’s been a real problem for us this season and we didn’t deal with the second phase, although there was nothing the keeper could do, as the ball ricocheted off a few players before going in. Overall, though, I was pleased with our mentality and we did look a lot more stable as a group compared to some of our recent matches. There were a few bits that we could have done better, but we were, as usual, extremely effective going forward.»

“It’s a pleasing result at the start of a big week, with the FA Youth Cup tie at Cray on Wednesday. Lots of people are getting minutes at the moment and that’s what we want to see.”

Pompey: Pitman; Bruce (Kavanagh 55), Robb, Mnoga, Flint (Kelly 55); Read, Whiting (Teggart 55); Johnston, Bridgman, Maloney; Stanley

Bilde: Keith Woodland