CITY OF SOUTHAMPTON YOUTH LEAGUE U/16 - Sunday 9^th Sept 2007

The 1^st round matches of the U16 Hampshire Cup took place last weekend and the sweltering temperatures did nothing to diminish the high-scoring action. Division 1’s Eastleigh Youth posted their warning to the other teams with a 25-0 rout of Harrow Rangers. Likewise Winchester City Youth gave notice of their intentions this season with a 13-0 display against Phoenix Rangers. Goal scorers were Jack Norman (5), Jamie Craven (4) and 1 each for Ben Fuller, Danny King, Josh Carey and David Rivers. It was an entertaining game to watch and, after going in 6-0 down at half-time, Phoenix did well to keep working to the final whistle, refusing to let their heads drop at any time. City were strong across the park and played a very fluid attacking style throughout which resulted in some very well crafted goals. VT Youth in an enjoyable match pulled off a deserved 4-2 victory against a determined Castle United team. 

Division 2’s AFC Stoneham ‘B’ staged a great fightback only to lose out on penalties to a strong Berg team. The first half ended in a stalemate with Stoneham having the better of the chances but the Berg keeper was on good form making two great saves from one on one situations. Berg took the lead within five minutes of the restart. Midway through the second half Berg broke down the right and the cross was controlled by their striker who coolly slotted the ball passed Jordan Hall in the Stoneham goal to go two up.  Within five minutes Alex Wilson reduced the arrears by shooting powerfully through a crowded goalmouth to beat the Berg goalkeeper.  After some intense Stoneham pressure, the equaliser deservedly came when the referee spotted a tug on Liam Golding’s shirt as he tried to get on the end of a Stuart Cook cross and awarded a penalty. Callum Sargent duly slotted home to make the full-time score 2-2.  Both teams had chances in extra time but failed to find the net. In the subsequent penalty shootout AFC Stoneham missed their first two penalties and Berg managed to hold on to their advantage to win 4-2.

Winchester Youth of Division 3 notched up a praiseworthy 4-1 away win at Wimbledon Park Tigers with Harry Hunt, Adam Richards, Dan Dazley and Rolo Sax-Dixon getting on the score sheet for the visitors. Another Division 3 side, Calmore Rangers, entertained Sandhurst in the Hampshire Cup at Wellow, but despite taking the lead through captain, David Blake, the home side gave away a sloppy equaliser just before halftime. Sandhurst's confidence grew and they took advantage of more uncertain defending to take the lead early in the second-half. Calmore besieged the visitors goal for long periods with Adam Cooper and Charlie Amey prominent but were unable to find the equaliser and were ultimately again caught on the break to make the final score 3-1 to Sandhurst.