CITY OF SOUTHAMPTON YOUTH LEAGUE U/18 - Sunday 16 Sept 2007

Plenty of goalmouth action as the Under 18 divisions kicked their league season off, Westwood swatting Warsash Wasps 6-1 and Hamble ASSC beating Pirelli Pirates by the same score in Division 1. Clarendon adjusted well to their new surroundings by beating Gurnard 5-0. After a fairly even first-half, during which Clarendon saw two efforts hit the woodwork and keep Tom Watson active in goal, Clarendon eased ahead just before half-time through a penalty. The second-half eventually saw Gurnard run out of steam and Clarendon ran in another four goals in the final quarter of an hour. Gurnard battled hard, with midfielders Leigh Merrick and Mike Dalchow and striker Jamie Merrick all picked out for mention, but Eileen Payani reported that 16 year-old keeper Watson deserved their Man of the Match award for keeping the score down with several excellent saves. Last season's Div 3 champions QK will be delighted to have started their season with a 3-1 away win at Michelmersh and Timsbury. With this division being made up from teams from last-season's top three divisions, it will be interesting to see who adapts quickest.

High-scoring encounters too in Division 2, with newcomers Tadley Calleva enjoying a 4-3 victory over Hedge End Rangers and Alresford winning at S&D by the same score, Sholing Athletic also hit four, with Hythe and Dibden managing two in reply. Romsey Town shared a 2-2 draw with Winchester Castle and Itchen Youth went down 3-1 at home to visiting Littleton Juniors.

In Division 3, Bashley were 1-0 down at Botley Village after only two minutes following a goalkeeping mistake, but a penalty from Mike Snelgrove levelled it just before half time. Bashley then took a 2-1 lead through Matthew Nabney before Botley won a penalty of their own which Bashley keeper Brown saved well. Bashley showed steady improvement after this escape and further goals started to come. Nabney hit  his second with a low shot past the keeper, Jason Steadman scored from 18 yards and Bash recorded further goals through Snelgrove, Dingwall 2, and Hicken before defender Dean Le Cocq ran 35 yards and rounded the Botley keeper for the ninth and final goal. Oakley Youth edged out Colden Common 'A' 2-1 and Bartley made a good start with a 2-1 away win at Hamble United. There were more high-scoring games elsewhere, with Bishops Waltham Dynamos winning 5-2 at a below-strength St Francis Youth and S&D 'B' enjoying an 8-3 success against local rivals Cherbourg.

The goal-fest continued throughout Division 4, with Colden Common 'B' beating Granley Rovers 3-2, QK 'B' hitting five past Botley Village without reply and Ryde United were 3-1 winners against Littleton 'B'. Elsewhere, St Francis Youth drew 3-3 with Hamble Club and TC Woodman had a comfortable 5-2 victory over Michelmersh and Timsbury.