Bird swoops to down Hawks in Pompey win

Ryan Bird bagged two goals in Pompey's 5-0 friendly win at the Hawks Picture: Ian Hargreaves

The Blues’ triallist striker grabbed two goals in the 5-0 romp at Westleigh Park in Guy Whittingham’s side opening fixture of the summer.

Bird took 48 seconds to make the breakthrough, although there was a slight slice of luck as Ryan Woodford’s clearance ricocheted off the Burnham man and looped over keeper Scott Bevan.

It was a poacher’s instinct which earned Bird’s second four minutes before the break, though, as he guided in Jed Wallace’s 30-yard off-target shot.

In between, he so nearly earned a hat-trick as Wallace’s cross was headed goalwards by David Connolly and Bird deflected the shot on to the post with his thigh.

Hawks had their moments in the first half with the dangerous Serge Makofo poking their best chance wide after 32 minutes.

Pompey fielded a completely different XI for the second half and their superior fitness told as they controlled the game.

The two liveliest players in the second half both got on the scoresheet after Woodford diverted Tom Craddock’s cross in for an own goal on 68 minutes.

Romain Padovani nodded home Butler’s cross with four minutes remaining.

And the the turbo-charged Andy Barcham advanced and tucked away a smart finish to wrap up a decent first game for Whittingham’s men.