Winchester City 0 Saints U23s 3

Saints U23s saw off a young Winchester City side to reach the semi-finals of the Southampton FA Senior Cup.

Former Arsenal winger Nathan Tella gave Saints a 16th-minute lead with a clinical left-footer into the far corner.

But a Citizens side including 11 teenagers (four of whom are only 16) acquitted themselves well. 

Captain Kieran Winman and first-team player-manager Craig Davis marshalled a fine defensive effort against a Saints attack including Olufela Olomola, who has been playing in League Two for Yeovil most of the season.

Olomola was unfortunate to see his far-post header come back off the post from Tom O’Connor’s inswinging corner in the 31st minute.

But other than pick the ball out of the net, City goalkeeper Josh Toombs had little to do before twice saving well from O’Connor at the end of the first half.

When the midfielder tried to whip a free kick in at the near post, Toombs was more than equal to it.

Saints were without midfielder Armani Little, but Tyreke Johnson impressed after replacing fellow winger Tella at half-time.

He had a goal disallowed early in the second half but was a constant threat down the left flank with his pace and trickery.

Number ten Callum Slattery should have done better than shank a Johnson cross over the bar.

But Johnson soon scored the first of two goals in three minutes midway through the second half. He doubled Saints lead when he tapped in Siph Mdalose’s pass at the far post.

Two minutes later, Mdalose capitalised from inside the area when City striker Simba Mlambo lost his footing.

Johnson did his best to create more opportunities. Davis scooped another cross over the bar from inside the six-yard box and an even better delivery somehow evaded Olomola and sub Bailey Owen as it flashed across the face of goal.

Johnson was unfortunate not to score a wonderful solo goal when a fine run ended with a left-footer just beyond the far post.

Olomola hit the woodwork for the second time when, having been denied by Toombs in a one-on-one, his lob came back off the right-hand upright.

The other quarter-finals (Team Solent v Blackfield & Langley, Netley Central Sports FC v Lymington Town and Sholing v Hamble Club) are being played at the beginning of next week.

Winchester City: Toombs, Clark (Croucher 80), Darling, Corner, Winman, Davis, Andrady (Brindley 70), Jenkinson (Sunley 60), Mlambo, McCormick, IK Hill.
Unused subs: Bray, Difford.

Saints U23s: Latham, Valery, Wood (Ledwidge 46), Rowthorn, Jones, Cook, Tella (Johnson 46), O’Connor, Olomola, Slattery, Mdalose.
Unused subs: Rose, Freeman, Davis.

Referee: Sam Ogles