EX-SAINTS striker Ian Baird got his first view of Bashley's prolific frontman Richard Gillespie on Monday night - and liked what he saw.

Gillespie went to Westleigh Park with 24 league and cup goals in his account and quickly helped himself to two more as Bash overcame Baird's mixed Havant side 4-1 in the Russell Cotes Cup.

The 20-year-old's electric pace proved a handful all night for the Hawks - particularly their experienced fromer Aldershot defender Jason Chewins who was red-carded for a foul on Gillespie.

Baird is something of an authority in the art of attacking play. He was an England schoolboy international and made 21 appearances for Saints before joining Leeds for £100,000 in 1985.

Assessing Gillespie's performance, the H&W boss said: "It was difficult to tell because we had an extremely young side out apart from Chewins, James Taylor and Dean Blake, but his movement was good, his hold-up play was good and he scored a couple of goals.

"I'd like to see him against different opposition, but you can't take away from him how well he played."

Romsey lad Gillespie is a product of the Bashley youth set-up and scored 30 goals in his first two seasons in the senior ranks. He earned rave reviews when he broke into the side in 2002/3 and was invited for trials with Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth.

Bashley boss Geoff Butler, who only took over in the summer, is a big fan and recently talked Gillespie into signing an extension to his contract. He said: "Richard's still got plenty to learn, but his pace is frightening and I've never seen a player get into as many good positions as he does."