Pompey Smash Six Past Hawks

Last updated : 08 July 2017 By Jim Bonner

Conor Chaplin bagged a hat-trick as Pompey won their second pre-season match with ease at Westleigh Park, hammering Havant & Waterlooville 6-0.

A strong Portsmouth side never looked in any real danger of conceding in the first half, with Alex Bass racing off his line to stop Alfie Rutherford scoring in what was the hosts' only chance of that period.

Pompey were dominant as everyone would have expected and hit the woodwork twice but it took a comical own goal to break the deadlock as the ball bounced off Lee Molyneaux after a goalmouth scramble for the opener.

Chaplin then turned into the star of the show as he tapped in Tareiq Holmes-Dennis' cross at the far post for the second goal of the game and then cut inside from the edge of the box to smash home a third. Kal Naismith then supplied the Pompey striker with a perfect cross to convert and complete his hat-trick right on the stroke of half-time.

Scorer and provider then switched roles for the start of the second half as Naismith tapped in Chaplin's square ball at the far post and the sixth goal came when Curtis Main was tripped in the box and then scored the resuling penalty with some authority.

Lee Bradbury's men did have a couple of late chances with James Hayter missing the best of them with a header wide from close range but that was when numerous substitutes were made and the game was well and truly over.

Kenny Jackett would have been pleased with how sharp his team looked given that it was only the second pre-season fixture of the campaign but he will be hoping that Matt Clarke's injury isn't too serious as he limped off early during the game.

Holmes-Dennis looked very energetic on his debut but we'll have to wait a bit longer to see Nathan Thompson in action. Whilst this was an emphatic result, we all have to remember that it was against an admittedly poor Havant side, with goalkeeper Young being beaten far too easily.

The next friendly sees a Pompey XI side take on Poole Town on Tuesday night.