FOOTBALLFIVE young Island footballing talents have played their part in Portsmouth Academy’s FA Youth Cup run.
Although the run came to an end on Wednesday night as Pompey bowed out 2-1 at home to Swansea, senior apprentices Dan Butler, 18, George Colson, 18, Elliot Wheeler, 18, and newcomer Jack Maloney, 17, all played, with fellow newcomer Liam Triggs, 17, on the bench.
The Academy side, currently bottom of its division, defeated Bristol City 5-1 in the previous round.
Butler, who has worn the captain’s armband on several occasions, Colson and Wheeler, son of former Newport favourite Peter Wheeler, only have a few months left on their apprenticeships, so the competition has proved a fantastic stage to show off their talents.
So far, Colson has led the scoring with three goals and Wheeler and Maloney have scored two each.
Academy manager, former player Andy Awford, said: "We didn’t deserve to lose. The Island lads showed great commitment, which we now need to take into tomorrow’s (Saturday) game against Arsenal.
"The lads are doing OK. I don’t want to say too much as their apprenticeships come to an end soon and we’ll be assessing whether or not to offer them contracts.
"Dan has been captain on a few occasions, which we’ve done to help bring him out of himself, and I think they’re all happy and enjoying themselves. I’m sure the three of them will really want the chance to progress.
"For Liam and Jack, they’ve not been with us for as long and the honeymoon period is almost over for them. They’ve got 18 months now to put their heads down and work hard."
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk