A very young Town U18 side beat their Southampton counterparts 3-0 at Playford Road on Saturday morning. Striker Jack Ainsley scored a brace, while midfielder Billy Clark scored the other goal.

The match kicked-off about 20 minutes late after Southampton were held up on the A12 following an earlier crash. Town began with just four senior U18 players in Joe Clemo, Paul Watson, Jack Ainsley and Reggie Lambe, with 14-year-old Connor Wickham starting up front.

Ainsley gave Town the lead in the fifth minute after Wickham flicked the ball on for his strike partner to finish well into the corner of the net.

Town were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute when full-back Joe Clemo was brought down. Ainsley stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper.

Shortly before the interval, Town hit the post with a header and Jamie Griffiths hit a strong shot that the Saints keeper had to push away for a corner.

Wickham came close to scoring straight after half-time — forcing visiting keeper Rondos into a fine save.

Town did score a third midway through the second half when Billy Clark volleyed the ball over the keeper after he had made a save from Wickham. Town's U16s, understrength as so many regulars were playing for the U18s, suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of the Saints.

Town U18s: Ward, Clemo, Dunbar, Hyam, Watson (c), Eastman, Griffiths (Brandon), Clark, Ainsley, Wickham and Lambe. Unused Subs: Traveller and Capocci.

Report: James Ager.

Photo: Action Images

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