Ronan Murray netted his second hat-trick in two games as the U18s defeated 10-man Portsmouth 4-2 at Playford Road on Saturday morning. Fellow frontman Connor Wickham, tipped for a first team appearance by boss Jim Magilton on Friday, netted the other goal.

Pompey went ahead through Paris Cowan-Hall on 15, but the Blues hit back 10 minutes later, Murray hammering home his first of the morning.

The Irish U18 international added the second in the 36th minute, latching on to a Reggie Lambe cross, his effort going in off a defender.

After the break, Portsmouth's Nadir Ciftci was shown a straight red card for an off the ball clash with Lambe.

Murray completed his hat-trick on 66, winning possession and then running in on goal and beating the keeper.

Gael Nlundulu pulled one back for the visitors but Wickham added Town's fourth with nine minutes left. The Blues' U16s drew 0-0 with the same opposition.

U18s: Ross, Meekings, Watson, Eastman, Dunbar, Daniels, Lambe, Clark, Clemo, Wickham, Murray. Subs: Brandon, Fuller, Bennett, Capocci and Duzgun.

Photo: Action Images

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