The Under-18's fell to a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday morning at Staplewood.

The reigning Premier Academy League Champions showed their class with a display of pace and power going forward which made them difficult to contain.

On 10 minutes they made the breakthrough as a cross from the left was headed back towards where it came from and the ball nestled into the bottom corner past Jack Dovey to make it 0-1.

Saints were far from out of the game however, and it could have been a different story had Sam Hoskins' goal not been disallowed just before half time which meant that the hosts went in at the break a goal down.

Despite being largely restricted by a resolute home side, the Gunners extended their lead just past the hour mark. A shot inside the area squirmed through a lot of bodies which perhaps unsighted Dovey as the shot beat him.

A few minutes later another cross was powerfully headed home from the centre of the area to wrap up the win for the visitors.

Garyn Preen and substitute Jordace Holder-Spooner went closest for the hosts, in what was a stern test for Dave Puckett's side.

"They're a very talented team and were the best football side we have faced this season," the coach admitted afterwards. "It was a terrific learning curve for the players though, and it was a real team effort to stop them from playing.

"We had restricted them so it was disappointing to concede some of the goals in the way that we did, but they handled the ball very well."

Saints Under-18's: Dovey, Martin, Harper, Foot, Argent, McLean (Holder-Spooner 60), Robinson (Oxlade-Chamberlain 65), McNish, Preen, Keegan, Hoskins (Isgrove 70). Subs (not used): Mowthorpe, Nicholas.

*Aarran Racine withdrew prior to kick-off as an injury concern.