MOTTISFONT's dream of winning a major trophy on the illustrious St Mary's Stadium turf turned into a nightmare on Wednesday night, when Wessex Combination side VT Reserves knocked five goals past them without reply.

"Very disappointing," was the verdict from Font spokesman Gordon Collins later. "We did OK up to half-time, so you couldn't say the lads froze on the big occasion.

"But two quick goals in the second half made our heads drop. They were too fit, too strong and were the better side on the night.

"It's a shame for our supporters - we had probably three times as many as VT - but at least we've got another Cup to go for as well as the league."

Early on VT keeper Sam Webb had to punch clear from Al Bundy, and Webb then saved well from a Jon Cook power-drive.

VT then started to get a grip, with the experienced Gary Biddle and the nippy James Thompson causing problems for the Font defence.

Although centre-backs Mike King and Andy Fryer were probably Font's best players on the night, neither could do anything about the opening goal. That came in first-half injury time when Biddle's throw was flicked against the post by Lewis Wyeth, and Thompson made no mistake with the loose ball.

Early in the second half Thompson seized on Danny Belbin's weak back-header to add a second, and Biddle quickly made it three.

Worse was to follow. Font keeper Paul Fielder was penalised, harshly in Font's view, for a challenge on Gary Male, who got up to score from the resulting penalty.

A late fifth from sub Nathan Lynch was the final nail in the coffin for Font, who must now dust themselves down to play four more league games - plus the League Cup final.

Two wins from those four league matches would guarantee Font the Hampshire League 2004 championship.