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Bulls fan Tom Jackson was in the crowd at St Mary's tonight, and gives us this report of the game:
An inspired display from Sam Hoskins on a cold November evening meant that Southampton under 18’s booked their place in the Youth FA Cup 3rd round at the expense of Hereford United. Hoskins scored four goals at the St. Mary’s Stadium as Southampton ended up putting six past the away team without reply.
The game began brightly with both having a half chance in the opening stages. First Southampton’s left winger Preen dragged a shot wide in the 3rd minute. 30 seconds later indecision between Southampton’s keeper, Dovey, and center back Robinson almost allowed Hereford’s Aiden Thomas to sneak in.
From then on, however, Southampton’s class shone through. With Hereford’s defence playing very narrow there was plenty of space in the wide areas for McLean and Preen to exploit. It took until the 17th minute for Hoskins to notch his first and the first goal of the game. McLean was given far too much room on the right hand side. He proceeded to beat Matapo and Loftus before sliding the ball acroos the six yard box for an unmarked Hoskins to lash in.
Just 90 seconds later Southampton were two ahead as Keegan latched ontop a long ball and impressively held off Loftus before beating Gwynne low to his left. Southampton continued to dominate and were unfortunate not to go three up as McLean again beat two defenders. His shot, however, went wide of the right upright by inches. With swift counter attacking football the key to Southampton’s success, Preen almost added Southampton’s third but could only shoot across the face of the goal.
With the pressure mounting Hereford conceded with just three minutes remaining in the first half. It was Hoskins who grabbed his second. Picking a loose ball up on the outside of the box, the diminutive forward drove past the defender and drilled it into the corner to give the Saints a comfortable half time lead.
The start of the second half saw a rejuvenated Bulls team come close toscoring as Thomas fired in 20 yard shot which was smartly turned over by the keeper Dovey.This rejuvenation only lasted a mere five minutes, however, as in the 51st minute the pace and highly impressive McLean added the fourth goal. It was far too easy for McLean as he raced on to header from the back and slotted it past Gwynne.
Southampton continued to swarm over Hereford and could have added a fifth if had not have been for Jo Lemar to clear a header off the line. McLean conitued to cause problems with his electrifying pace and it must have been a relief to see the winger taken off after 67 minutes. Hereford’s misery didn’t end though as Hoskins completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute to put Southampton five ahead. It was tidy finish from the youngster who found room on the edge of the area to drive the ball past Gwynne.
Southampton continued to look for more and were thwarted by several good saves by Gwynne. But the Saints weren’t to be denied a sixth and final goal as 11 minutes from time Hoskins added a fourth with a simple tap in from 2 yards.
The game petered out to its conclusion and Hereford’s abysmal night was summed up by Thomas failing to get a toe end on a cross when it seemed easier to score. Overall it was a rather a disappointing way for the young Bulls to bowout in this year’s competition. Meanwhile Southampton now face a trip to Queens Park Rangers in the 3rd round.
Teams - Hereford United: Matt Gwynne, Masimea Matapo, Will Loftman (Laurie Marsh55), Jo Loftus, Matt Croose, Jo Lemar, Chris Hyde, Zac Brimble, AidenThomas, Bredan Hackett (Ben Thomas 63), Dean Lee (Jack Biggs 85)Unused subs: Dan Johnson, Dale Brook
Southampton: Jack Dovey, Ben Martin, Sam Argent, Andy Robinson (AlexOxlade-Chamberlain 58), Aarran Racine (Ciaran Harper 80), RyanTafazolli, Daryl McLean (Jordance Holder Spooner 67), Callum McNish, SamHoskins, Jordan Keegan, Garyn Preen
