Connolly, Padovani, Holmes and Craddock on target
Pompey’s prolific pre-season form continued with a 4-2 victory at non-league neighbours Bognor Regis.
David Connolly scored the only goal of the first half, but Romain Padovani, Ricky Holmes and Tom Craddock all netted after the interval.
Pompey created plenty of early chances and Danny East’s cross was glanced narrowly wide by Patrick Agyemang after just two minutes.
The striker then saw his opportunistic effort fly over the crossbar after the Blues had played a quick throw.
A third chance for Agyemang was then prevented when Mark Zawadski came tearing off his line to win the ball.
Bognor did have a chance of their own on 10 minutes, but after Aaron Hopkinson beat Liam Triggs down the left he fired a shot straight at John Sullivan.
Pompey were soon back on the attack and Andy Barcham’s fierce drive was well saved by Zawadski after Jed Wallace had cleverly pulled the ball back.
An unmarked Nick Awford then headed Johnny Ertl’s cross wide from close range as the hosts continued to live dangerously.
The searing heat was clearly taking its toll as the half progressed, however, with the players forced to stop for a drinks break and the pace of the game slowing dramatically.
But the Blues broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when Wallace cut the ball back for CONNOLLY to fire home at the near post.
They might have added a second just before the break, but Agyemang could not beat Zawadski after bundling his way into the box.
Half Time: Bognor 0 Pompey 1
Guy Whittingham changed his entire side at the start of the second half, giving a run-out to the likes of Dan Butler, Yassin Moutaouakil, Holmes and Craddock.
The latter went close to doubling Pompey’s advantage on 53 minutes with an angled effort that clipped the top of the crossbar.
Instead it was PADOVANI who strengthened the Blues’ lead, with the midfielder collecting Jack Maloney’s pass and thumping home a fine shot.
And a third goal arrived moments later when Craddock laid the ball off for HOLMES to fire coolly home.
There was something for the home fans to cheer about on 75 minutes, however, after the Blues lost possession and Terry Dodd lashed the ball past Phil Smith.
Pompey’s reaction was to go straight back down the other end and score their fourth of the afternoon, with CRADDOCK converting Holmes’ cross from close range.
Zawadski stopped the Blues from getting a fifth goal late on, though, flying to his right to palm clear Holmes’ curling free-kick.
But it was Bognor who had the final say, with Harvey Whyte steering the ball home after Pompey failed to clear a corner.
Bognor: Zawadski; Marzetti (Evans 61), Knight, Wollers (Cody 46), Crane; Hopkinson (Heath 85), Wills (c) (Barrett 82), Tuck, Kempson (van Driel 64); Pearce (Dodd 52), Whyte
Goals: Dodd 75, Whyte 89
Sub not used: Woods
Pompey: Sullivan (Smith 46); East (Moutaouakil 46), Devera (Warren 46), Bradley (Webster 46), Triggs (Butler 46); Wallace (Holmes 46), Ertl (c) (Padovani 46), Awford (Branford 46), Barcham (Maloney 46); Agyemang (Harris 46), Connolly (Craddock 46)
Goals: Connolly 35, Padovani 62, Holmes 64, Craddock 76
Referee: Ashley Slaughter
Photo: Paul Jacobs