Waddingham scores, Segecic provides assist in Portsmouth pre-season win

English club Portsmouth’s strong Australian contingent too part in the team’s impressive pre-season win over Farnborough.

Former Brisbane Roar striker Thomas Waddingham scored as a Portsmouth outfit featuring four Australian players secured a 5-0 pre-season win over Farnborough.

Waddingham was joined by ex-Sydney FC pair Adrian Segecic and Hayden Matthews, and former Central Coast Mariners defender Jacob Farrell as Portsmouth manager John Mousinho used 22 players across the two halves.

Waddingham netted the game’s fourth goal, while Segecic, who joined the English Championship club after being a co-winner of last season’s A-League Golden Boot, provided the assist for Portsmouth’s second goal, scored by Harry Clout.

“That’s two more sets of 45 minutes that we’ve got through injury-free, which is the main positive, but we’re also happy with the performance and result,” Mousinho said.

Portsmouth striker Thomas Waddingham (left) is challenged by Farnborough’s Aaron Kuhl. Picture: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Farrell, who is embarking on his second season with the club after a maiden campaign that was marred by a knee injury, said having a strong Australian contingent at Portsmouth was helpful.

“It’s been really good to have the Aussie boys here,” Farrell told the Portsmouth website.

“We all help each other, whether it’s outside of football or on the pitch. It’s a big help.”

Now fully fit, Farrell said he was “ready to play hard” this season.

“I haven’t really had a break but that was needed to get my knee right, but it’s been really good. I’m feeling really fit and strong at the moment, and ready to go,” he said.

“I’m in the best physical state my body’s been in.”

Originally published as Waddingham scores, Segecic provides assist in Portsmouth pre-season win