CITY OF SOUTHAMPTON YOUTH LEAGUE U/18 - Sunday 14 Oct 2007

Back to Hampshire Cup action last Sunday, and as usual, there were some high-scoring games to report. Top scorers were West End Youth who beat St Francis Youth from our Division 4, 9-1, and Cowes Sports Youth who beat Division 2 strugglers S&D A 9-2. QK Southampton A renewed acquaintance with Wyvern and had an emphatic 8-1 victory but Oakley from Div 3 were well-beaten, 7-0 at home to a strong Salisbury City side. Colden Common A gave a good account of themselves before going down 5-3 to Div 1 side Westwood Youth. Common were 4-0 before Stuart Appleby pulled one back after some great play by Rob Pike. Westwood managed to score another almost straight away, but still Common refused to give up, Matt Sid Ahmad scored his first ever goal for the team with something of a tap in after James Quigley had rounded the keeper, and Mark Course narrowed the margin further with a well taken penalty in the 90^th minute. Common’s Man of the match was Matt Sid Ahmad, who capped his display with a cheeky goal. Alresford Town edged a high-scoring game with AFC Portchester, 5-3, and Granley Rovers would have greatly enjoyed a first win of the season, winning 3-1 away to Division 4 side Hamble Club.

Romsey Town, going well in Division 2, travelled to Liss and started brightly, going close with efforts from Sam Melin, Joe Urquhart and Josh Wilson. Romsey took the lead when fine one touch football by Josh Lisle and Perry Harding, allowed Josh Wilson to coolly slot the ball past the Liss keeper. They continued to apply the pressure but were unable to convert. Shortly before half time Romsey added a second, Gregg Lewis delivered a fine cross which was headed home superbly by Ethan James. Liss attacks were few and far between but when they did manage to get though, the towering Josh Barnes dealt comfortably with any threat. In the second half Liss took control of the game playing superb one touch football and creating several chances, but they were unable to find the target. The game became a midfield battle with neither team able to create clear cut chances. Romsey finally added a third when the lively Mitch Holmes crossed low for the advancing Perry Harding, who smashed the ball home.  Liss applied pressure in the last ten minuets but Romsey's defence held firm to keep their second clean sheet in a row.

A satisfying break from League duty for Division 1 Gurnard, seeing off Petersfield Town Juniors 5- 0. Sam Cooke, Leigh Merrick and Laurence Tomlinson made good use of the full width of the pitch and in the 18th minute Sam Cooke
made a fast run down the right wing to open the scoring. Two minutes later and a handball in the penalty area saw captain Mike Dalchow spot-kick placed comfortably to make it 2-0. Gurnard, now full of confidence, increased the pressure and another great break by Laurence Tomlinson, (one of many that earned him his team’s Man of the Match' award) saw him aim a powerful shot at goal, which deflected off the keepers
hands into the back of the net to give them a 3-0 scoreline at the break. In the second half, Petersfield Town came out strongly and for the first 15 minutes they applied some pressure, several good breaks were thwarted by Gurnard’s young keeper, Tom Watson.
Gurnards Joe Driscoll, Simon Gilpin and Tom Moody were instrumental in breaking down most of Petersfield Town attacking ideas and a great break by Jamie Merrick in the 65th minute resulted in goal number four. Gurnard weren’t finished yet and another Sam Cooke break led his superb cross-shot making it 5-0.

A bright by Copnor North End gave them for the first goal against Itchen Youth from Division 2, but although Wayne O'Dell equalised with a 25 yard volley into the roof of the net, more good play from Copnor gave them a second before half time. The game started well in the second half with both teams obviously keen to go through to the next round, but things started to get scrappy with players from both teams being booked. A second goal from Wayne O’Dell made the teams all-square after some excellent link up play with Jack Grice. With ten minutes to go, with both teams piling on the pressure to get the winner and avoid extra-time, a free-kick on the halfway line, taken by stand in keeper Joe Connery, found Lloyd Rustell who put the ball away to put Itchen ahead 3-2.

AFC Hiltingbury continued their unbeaten start to the season with another victory.  In a hard fought contest, Camberley Town proved to be excellent opposition producing some wonderful football.  AFCH scored after only 1 minute and 38 seconds, William Lane breaking down the right channel and delivering a pinpoint cross for Aaron Elam to head into the corner of the net.  Hiltingbury continued to create chances but the Camberley keeper produced three fine saves to thwart Elam & Lane.  Camberley began to come into the tie and deservedly equalised on 51 minutes when they broke on the left, crossed into the box for their forward to head home.  The game opened up as both teams fought hard in midfield to gain control but it was Hiltingbury who created the chances, Elam shooting just wide of the post and the Camberley keeper producing a fine save from Sam Oliver.  Then in the 87^th minute Jonny French broke on the left and pulled the ball back to Josh Tear who unleashed a ferocious shot which the keeper could only parry at full stretch and Will Lane was on hand to thump the ball into the roof of the net.  Another of piece of magic from Man of the Match, Will Lane, produced the third goal, this time Lane beat a defender before pulling the ball back for Ed Barrow to rifle into the roof of the net from 6 yards.  Hiltingbury Manager said “A thoroughly enjoyable & entertaining cup tie with both teams producing good flowing football”.      

In the only game in the Salvage Cup, Clarendon Juniors had a comprehensive 7-2 win over Division 3 leaders Bartley, the Division  1 side making their way into the Third Round draw. Sholing Athletic took advantage of their rivals’ inactivity to go top of Division 2, beating Winchester Castle 5-1 and Hythe & Dibden had a narrow 3-2 victory over Littleton Juniors A. In Division, leaders TC Woodman extended their own 100% start by inflicting a first defeat on QK Southampton B, 4-2.