Sparsholt Soton Elite boys enjoyed a 4-0 victory at Oxford United on Monday afternoon.

On what was a very poor pitch at the back of the League Two sides’ training ground at Cowley, the young Saints went a goal up in ten minutes when Macauley Stubbs fed Oli Bailey and he beat the keeper with some ease.

Sparsholt were well on top but did not press home their advantage until the hour mark when Ed Chappe made it 2-0 from the edge of the box. Bailey then got in behind the defence for the third and the young Hursley Park cricketer completed a fine hat-trick late on with another fine finish.

Coach Neil Benson said after the game: We were well on top although it was occasionally a scrappy game on an awful surface.

‘David Jerrard came back after injury and keeper Brendon Norris had a fine Conference debut after a number of good performances elsewhere since he gained international clearance.”