The Mighty Villa Youngsters vs Pompey

Glensider's brief match report - as sanctioned by Mike. See Mike re any problems, complaints etc etc - DO NOT BAN ME - BAN MIKE!!

Right now that's out the way, on with Glen's report.

Two youthful looking second strings put on a decent game for our entertainment at Villa Park earlier this evening.

We lined up as follows:- Marshall, Lichaj, Clark, Baker, Lowry, Albrighton ( sub McGurk 90), Herd, Weimann (sub Williams 85), Hofbauer ( sub Collins 80), Bannan, Delfouneso

Subs not used: Roome, Parish

Portsmouth were coached by ex Villan Guy Whittingham, but that's all the information I can give you regarding our visitors, not having their team names in my possession. There was certainly no one in their ranks, that I immediately recognised, from having enjoyed first team experience.

We were on the offensive right from the off, the Pompey keeper having to make a fine save to deny young Hofbauer.

After about five minutes of play though Pompey went very close to securing the early lead, a shot from the edge of the box looked destined for the back of the net, but new keeper Marshall made a super save to divert the ball onto the underside of the bar.

Marshall looks a decent keeper, confident and assured in what he does, and if called upon for first team action, I dont think he'd let us down.

Nathan Delfouneso went close with a header as we began to push forward, but apart from a fine effort from Herd, that the Pompey keeper pushed behind for a corner, we never really tested the guy between the posts.

All that changed though after about thirty minutes, when the once again very impressive Barry Bannan, conjured up a piece of sheer magic, to leave three Pompey defenders trailing in his wake, before crashing home a stunning effort.

A superb goal. If that had have been scored in this weekends upcoming premiership fixture against Portsmouth, we'd have been drooling over the goal for months. A genuine piece of footballing brilliance.

The lively Andreas Weimann had an opportunity early in the second half to double our lead, when he latched onto a great crossfield pass from Barry Bannan, but his effort cleared the bar.

Pompey never really threatened, and in the seventy-fifth minute Herd curled home a gem of a strike from outside of the area.

Unstoppable. Two truly memorable goals.

Nathan Delfouneso went close to making it three, but overall it was a good performance by our young lads, who fully deserved the two-nil scoreline.

Pity there weren't a bigger audience in attendance, but I would certainly encourage any of you out there, to pop down and cheer our youngsters on this season, if of course you have the time and the inclination.

You wouldn't be disappointed.

To view the Team Sheet and some Match Stats from the game please Click HERE

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