CITY OF SOUTHAMPTON YOUTH LEAGUE U/16 - Sunday 7 Oct 2007

On a cold day at Winchester it took a piece of magic to warm the supporters watching as Winchester City took the lead against Whitecroft and Barton. A great through ball from Karl Littleboy gave Jamie Craven the opportunity to chip the keeper from the edge of his box. City seemed to create the better opportunities but failed to add to the score before half time. Shortly after the interval, Steve Plowman made it 2-0 by attacking a loose ball in the penalty box and City continued to create opportunities and looked a much better side in the second half, with good spells of both possession and territory. Dan Rogan finished off a well worked move down the left side to make it 3-0 with 20 minutes to go, and the team worked hard to keep another well earned clean sheet. Praise must go to W&B’s stand-in keeper, central midfielder Gary Richardson, who deputised in goal after two other keepers were unavailable through injury. Also in Division 1 this week was a tense high scoring affair as Eastleigh Youth came out 4-3 winners away at Broadway, the win sees Eastleigh climb the table to second, just behind local rivals Eastleigh Spitfires who stay top after a 1-1 draw at AFC Stoneham. AFC Totton A are nicely placed in equal second place, with a game in hand on their rivals, following their 2-0 win at Salisbury City.

In Division 2, AFC Totton B continued their own excellent start to the season and kept their 100% winning record intact by beating Colden Common 7-1. The favourites didn’t disappoint in this impressive display that puts them two points clear at the top and leaves Colden Common bottom, still looking for their first point. Hedge End Rangers A also extended an undefeated start to the season with a 1-0 win away to AFC Stoneham B, the tight affair only separated by the one goal. In a first half of few chances, S&D looked the better team and played the better football in their match at Alresford Town. Alresford did not get going until after S&D took the lead; their striker chased a through-ball, rounded the goalkeeper and scored from a difficult angle. This woke Alresford up, and near the end of the first half Jack Mills and Kyle Bradford were both denied by excellent saves by S&D's goalkeeper. The second half was a different story and Alresford had the better of the match creating and wasting a number of chances. Alresford's equaliser eventually came when Matt Jones’s excellent run from midfield played in Tom Beecher to cut inside and finish with a stunning, curling shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. Alresford continue to press for a winner, and Liam Jones came closest to breaking the deadlock with a late chip that hit the bar. Littleton returned to winning ways after a heart-breaking last-minute Cup exit the previous week, beating Warsash Wasps 2-0. Littleton were always in control and created several chances before Duncan Bray put them ahead on 35 minutes and he doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, their defence being well-led by James Philpot. to keep a clean sheet. Joe Lewis, Ashley Nutbeam and Matt Seymour helped goalkeeper Michael Mustoe keep the side's first clean sheet for some time.

Calmore Rangers earned their first points of the season in Division 3 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Townhill Emperors. Townhill’s skilfull approach play made them look certain of the three points, but after being kept on the back foot for the first quarter, Calmore gained in confidence and also started to play some attractive football. Chances were few and far between, the best of which came when Calmore’s Adam Cooper’s teasing cross-shot came back off the far post on 25 minutes and then five minutes later winger Charlie Amey’s near-post volley was well saved by the Townhill keeper. Goal-less at the break, Townhill continued to look the likeliest to score, but were shocked on the hour when Matt Alford’s shot came back off the bar and Charlie Amey was on hand to put Calmore ahead. Townhill continued to have plenty of possession, but their only shot on target was a long-range free-kick straight at the keeper. Despite being put under severe pressure in the closing minutes, Calmore hung on to take maximum points, also in Division 3, an incredible result for Winchester Youth FC as they overpowered Chamberlayne Athletic, thrashing them 16-1. This result was one of many high scoring games this week as the division saw 45 goals in the 5 games held this weekend. Portswood United’s 12-2 hammering of Hamble United gives warning of their serious title intentions, but AFC Hiltingbury remain the team to beat as they look set to maintain their position as leaders after ending Hythe and Dibden’s own perfect start with an impressive 9-1 scoreline.

In Division 4, two teams are already catching the eye as both Burridge and East Cowes Youth maintained their 100% records in impressive fashion. Burridge continued there winning streak by beating Hythe Strikers 9-0 at home, however East Cowes then went one better in beating Cherbourg Youth B 10-0. Both teams will take great confidence in how their seasons have started so far. Third-paced Wyvern are trailing them, however, and they won again – this time 4-3 away to Bitterne Youth.