Town's U18 side comfortably beat Southampton 4-1 at Playford Road on Saturday morning with a hat-trick from striker Connor Wickham and one from Tom Eastman securing the three points.

Wickham opened the scoring on 13 when, after collecting a ball from Jamie Griffiths, the powerful frontman fired home from close range.

Centre-back Eastman scored his first goal for the Blues four minutes later when he flicked in a corner at the near post.

Wickham added Town's third on the half-hour with another tidy finish from a tight angle which beat Saints keeper Andrej Pernecky.

The visitors pulled a goal back just before half-time when centre-back Ryan Tafazolli headed into the net after another header had hit the bar.

As the game entered the final stages, Griffiths played a ball down the line for Reggie Lambe to tuck into Wickham, who turned his man and completed his hat-trick with a cool finish.

Lambe had a shot well saved by Saints sub keeper Liam Hogan, who was much the busier of the two stoppers in the second half.

Wickham's all-round game was hugely impressive, but it was an eye-catching display from the whole of the Town side. Meanwhile, the U16s lost 3-1 to the same opposition.

U18s: McLoughlin, Clemo, Dunbar, Hyam (c), Ainsley, Eastman, Daniels, Cawley, Wickham, Lambe and Griffiths. Unused: Watson, Ward, Meekings, Bennett and Whight.

Photo: Action Images

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