Saints Under-18's got their season off to a flyer this weekend with an impressive 3-1 away win over Manchester United.

Speaking on the coach as they travelled back south, Youth Team Coach Dave Puckett was delighted with his side's confident performance which he put down to their hard work in pre-season.

"It's going to be a good trip back," he said. "We've been given a DVD of the game and we're all going to watch it back on the coach.

"We had a game plan and we stuck to it, and I felt we had the majority of the play, even though we went in behind at the break. We pressed as a team and the boys have now got the reward for all the work they've put in over the summer."

The highly-rated Red Devils opened the scoring on 16 minutes through Ryan Tunnicliffe, who lost his man as the ball broke over the top, and finished by tucking a low shot under the Saints 'keeper.

Undeterred, Saints struck back almost immediately after the break, as Daryl McLean won the ball by the right corner flag and slipped it through to Tony Garrod, whose first time shot was blocked by the 'keeper.

Saints striker Jordan KEEGAN held his ground well, however, and fired home the rebound in the 48th minute.

Having drawn things level, the visitors went one better on 54 minutes as they benefitted from a quick counter-attacking move.

This time, Garyn PREEN cut into the box from his wide position on the left of midfield and won his side a penalty as he was floored by a hefty challenge.

Having been brought down to earth, the young Welshman dusted himself off and stepped up to the spot before sending the 'keeper the wrong way to give Saints a 2-1 lead.

Puckett's team then further extended their lead in the 78th minute as Callum McNISH fired a shot across the 'keeper from outside the area which flew into the bottom right corner.

Puckett added: "This was a terrific way to get the season underway and I'm extremely proud of the performance we put in. We were disciplined, had great team spirit and a strong desire not to concede and in the end it all paid off."

Saints Under-18's: Dovey, Argent, Racine, Tafazolli (C), Reeves, McLean (Nicholas, 80), Robinson, McNish, Preen (Isgrove, 75), Keegan, Garrod (Harper, 89).