CITY OF SOUTHAMPTON YOUTH LEAGUE U/18 - Sunday 7 Oct 2007

Not as many goals this week in a full League programme, following last week’s Cup excitement. One game that immediately caught the eye was St Francis Phoenix’s 7-6 victory over Botley Village A in Division 3. In a topsy-turvy game that saw the lead change hands more than once, Phoenix’s captain, Stuart Green, scored two and had a hand in most of his side’s attacks. His contribution was equalled by the speed and cool finishing of Nick Johns who repeatedly beat the Botley offside trap to notch a second-half hat-trick. Two other equally well-taken solo goals, from Tom Seigneur and a debut goal from Ben Hoskins, punished Botley, whose goals came from Matty Sellen (2), Haider Ajel, Josh Hallett, Guy Fletcher and Jim Lawton.

In Division 1, Hamble ASSC’s superior goal-difference enabled them to go top, their 7-0 demolition of Warsash Wasps just putting them ahead of QK who beat Westwood 2- 0 away. Hiltingury kept their own title aspirations on-track with a 4-1 win at Mich and Tims. Tadley remain top of Division 3 after overcoming Itchen Youth 4-2, Sholing Athletic missed the opportunity to go top, losing 3-1 at home to Alresford Town. Romsey Town leap-frogged Littleton Juniors with a 3-0 win when the teams met and Hythe and Dibden recorded their first win, 4-3 away to Winchester Castle.

Bartley are pulling away at the top of Division 3, continuing their good early-season form with a 3-1 away win at S&D B. Bashley are heading a group trailing them and they won 4-1 away to Oakley. Hamble United are still in-touch, enjoying a 4-0 victory over Bishops Waltham Dynamos. Colden Common A earned their first win of the season, Rob Pike’s superb strike opening the scoring on 35 minutes and Mark Course made it two at half-time, with a trademark run and finish. Wyvern changed to three at the back after the break to push on and get back into the game, but Common held firm and continued to look dangerous on the break. Rob Pike was again impressive in midfield and he found the net once more with an unstoppable shot to make it three, but although Wyvern continued to push forward, the Common defence held firm and created more chances at the other end.

TC Woodman have a game in hand on their nearest rivals at the top of Division 4, but still have a superior goal difference, their 7-0 drubbing of Ryde United highlighting both their solid defence and goal-scoring potency. Mich and Tims B are also doing well, inflicting a first defeat on St Francis, 4-2 and, together with QK B, also nicely placed in third, their 4-1 win at home to Hamble Club seeing them all equal top on points. Littleton Juniors B enjoyed the short trip to Colden Common B, their 2-1 victory being their first points of the season.