HAMPSHIRE are axeing their senior men's rep side next season.

After much soul-searching, the Hampshire FA have opted to withdraw the team from the South-West Counties Championship and concen-trate on the development of under-21, youth and women's football.

HFA chief executive Laurence Jones confirmed: "We've decided, albeit reluctantly, not to run a senior men's side this year but, hopefully, it's only a very temporary situation.

"We're extremely disappointed to have had to come to this decision but I'm hopeful we will be running a team again for 2003/4."

According to Jones, there are three key reasons why the men's team has been chopped - the expense, the commitment to youth and women's football development and the fact that manager Paul Doswell and his assistant Richie Phippard are stepping down.

Jones explained: "We've been running five rep teams, which is a huge financial burden on the assocation. Because of the importance of aligning rep football with the development of the youth and women, the one team we felt we could withdraw was the senior men.

"The men's side costs the most to run, but this decision has not been made solely for financial reasons - there are other factors involved.

"Paul and Richard have done a brilliant job, but the senior men's is the one side that lacks an area of stability now.

"Also, there have been selection problems caused by clashes with club games."

Jones added: "I'm sure many players will be as disappointed as I am, but we will review the situation very carefully on an annual basis."

Doswell, now manager of Jewson Wessex outfit Eastleigh, has also relinquished the under-21 reins having guided them to the first ever SWCC title with a 4-2 win over Wiltshire last month.

The HFA are now on the lookout for a new under-21 manager, who will work closely with county under-18 boss Bill Caine.

Applications for the post should arrive no later than May 24.

Send to: The Chief Executive, Hampshire Football Association Limited, William Pickford House, 8 Ashwood Gardens, off Winchester Road, Southampton SO16 7PW.

East Cowes Vics hat-trick hero Mick Sherry has fired Hampshire's 18s to South West Counties Championship glory.

After the disappointment of losing the Micky Parry Trophy to Berks & Bucks, Bill Caine's young guns handsomely atoned with a 4-1 midweek win over Wiltshire at Melksham.

With fit-again James Rolph of Eastleigh giving the side extra edge, Hampshire were 1-0 up at the break courtesy of a Sherry goal brilliantly set up by Gosport's Adam Smith.

Alton's Ian Dyer celebrated his tenth appearance for the county with a second on the hour from Adam Rogers' cross and, two minutes later, the unstoppable Sherry struck again.

Wiltshire replied from the penalty spot, but there was no stopping that man Sherry who completed his hat-trick with under ten minutes remaining.

The victory completed a brilliant double for Hampshire, who also beat Wiltshire in the under-21s South West Counties Championship final.

Simon Huntley of the Hampshire Football Assocation said: "I'd personally like to thank the whole team for the way they have played this season and also the parents and supporters who've come to many of the matches.

"A special thanks also to boss Bill Caine and his staff who have all helped to make a squad of players a real team throughout the season."