Striker Sam Hoskins scored four goals in a 6-0 demolition of Hereford United in the F.A Youth Cup second round.

On a cool night inside St. Mary's, Saints' youngsters made reasonably light work of the opposition as they progressed to the third round of the competition, with Jordan Keegan and Daryl McLean adding to Hoskins' haul.

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Saints Under-18's: Jack Dovey, Ben Martin, Sam Argent, Aarran Racine (Ciaran Harper 80), Ryan Tafazolli, Andy Robinson (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 58), Callum McNish, Daryl McLean (Jordace Holder-Spooner 67), Garyn Preen, Sam Hoskins, Jordan Keegan. Subs: Steven Mowthorpe, Lee Nicholas.

Hereford United Under-18's: Matt Gwynne, Masimea Matapo, Will Loftman (Laurie Marsh 55), Jo Loftus, Matt Croose, Jo Lemar, Chris Hyde, Zac Brimble, Aiden Thomas, Brendan Hackett (Ben Thomas 63), Dean Lee (Jack Biggs 85). Subs: Dan Johnson, Dale Brook.

Referee: Mr. I. Parsons

A tentative opening saw the home side create the best of the early exchanges in front of a number of first team stars watching on and manager Alan Pardew.

Winger Garyn Preen twice went close inside the opening quarter of an hour with two well worked efforts as the hosts slowly built up some momentum.

A goal arrived in the 18th minute from first year scholar Sam Hoskins. Saints' current leading marksman at Under-18's level stabbed home from inside the six yard box after a strong run and cross from the right by Daryl McLean.

Two minutes later, Dave Puckett's side doubled their advantage. Fellow striker Jordan Keegan collected a throughball on the edge of the area and went on drive home a crisp shot past Matt Gwynne in the United goal.

Preen went close again as Saints laid siege to the Bulls' defence whilst captain Ryan Tafazolli was dominant at the back with a number of firm headers. Ten minutes before the break McLean was desperately unlucky as he tricked his way forward and unleashed a sublime curling effort which went narrowly wide of the far post as it dropped down and out of play.

The one way traffic in the first half continued as Saints made it 3-0 three minutes before the break with Hoskins getting his second of the game.
The striker's run off the ball created the space to get on the end of Andy Robinson's pass and he made no mistake from inside the area as he shot across the 'keeper and into the far corner.

McLean almost made it four in the dying moments of the first half but was surprised to see the ball land at his feet inside the six yard box as his shot went over.

Half Time: Saints 3-0 Hereford United

The visitors enjoyed a better start to the new half and had the first chance as Aiden Thomas struck a clean shot just over the bar from the edge of the area.

However, Saints went back on the offensive and were rewarded in the 51st minute with well executed finish from by McLean. The right sided midfielder latched on to Tafazolli's high ball and took the ball in his stride before stroking the ball home for 4-0.

Aarran Racine had a header cleared off the line from a corner and narrowly saw another effort clear the bar just past the hour mark.

First year scholar Jordace Holder-Spooner replaced goal scorer McLean for the last 25 minutes with Saints still largely in control of the match although Hereford went close with a rebound shot from Jo Loftus which struck the post.

Hoskins earned his hat-trick after twice going close, He volleyed home Callum McNish's lofted pass into the far corner across the goalkeeper to secure the accolade and make it 5-0 in the 73rd minute.

He grabbed his fourth of the night from two yards out on 79 minutes after benefiting from Keegan's close range shot which was smartly saved by Gwynne, but the 'keeper could do nothing about the follow up from the striker.

The hosts were still piling forward at will and shortly after Saints had made their final change of the game with Ciaran Harper replacing Aarran Racine, Jordan Keegan was denied again with a fingertip save, as he forced a corner late on.

The comfortable victory saw Saints advance to the third round to face Queens Park Rangers.

Full Time: Saints 6-0 Hereford United