A slightly delayed kick off in order to allow for extra fans to enter the ground after Portsmouth’s friendly away at Crawley was a late casualty of the weather, meant a bumper 229 people were in attendance for this pre-season friendly.

Last seasons loanee at Moneyfields from the Portsmouth academy, Ciaran Martin, started in a number 10 position for Pompey. His confidence on the ball recognised by his academy coaches moving him up from the left back position he’s more normally familiar with.

It didn’t take long for the crowd to be given some fantastic entertainment as the first 10 or so minutes were all Moneys. On 13 minutes, Trialist B put a ball into the box for new signing Louis Gates to cross from near the goal-line. Fellow new signing Rudi Blankson met the cross with a deft heel flick across the face of the keeper and into the goal. An unmistakable noise of appreciation was heard around the John Jenkins for the sublime finish by Blankson.

Trialist B again contributed from the right wing as a through ball from Blankson this time, sent the Trialist free. His drilled shot smashed the post so hard, it went out for a throw in.

Half time – Moneyfields 1-0 Portsmouth XI

After the break, a quintuple of substitutes were brought on as Kieran Alcock, Kaleem Haitham, Adam Payne, Yumo Wan and Trialist C were brought on, in place of Rudi Blankson, Asad Semi, Ethan Gee, James Franklyn and Louis Gates.

Some smart play from Pompey in the second half resorted in a number of chances but none really ever threatened the Moneyfields goal. The best as their number 9 out-muscled the Moneyfields defence and got a shot away, but it was toe-poked wide.

Shortly after, young shot stopper Ethan Bell was given a further 20+ minutes with the first team as he came on for Callum Smart, and Adam Thompson replaced Tom Cain.

Then on 70 minutes, a moment of brilliance again from Moneys. As Pompey reset their attack and passed around their defence, the holding midfielder tried to ride a challenge from a Moneyfields Trialist, but in doing so, ran straight into former Pompey Academy captain, Adam Payce. With the ball at this feet and the goalkeeper in no-mans-land, Payce calmly lobbed the keeper from around 30 yards.

Full time – Moneyfields 2-0 Portsmouth XI

Moneys XI: Smart, Gates, Gee, Trialist A, Jeffes, Cain, Trialist B, O’Connell, Ssemwogerere, Blankson, Franklyn

Subs (all used): Alcock, Bell, Haitham, Trialist C, Payce, Wan, Thompson.