The Under-18s earned local bragging rights as they ran out 3-0 winners over Portsmouth at Staplewood on Saturday morning.

The young Saints struck an early advantage in the build up to next weekend's FA Cup encounter for the first team against the near neighbours, with a convincing display to see off the visitors who remain bottom of their group in the FA Premier Academy League.

Dave Puckett had to make do without three of the side that started last week at league leaders Arsenal, with defender Ryan Tafazolli out injured, winger Garyn Preen unavailable through illness, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who had trained with the first team this week. There was better news concerning striker Tony Garrod though, as the front man returned to the squad after a lengthy injury lay off.

Some strong Saints performances of late have been undermined by results as a first win of the calendar year remained elusive going into the match with the local rivals, but the hosts soon settled into their stride despite a cagey opening to the game as both sides looked to strike first.

Saints had to be patient to make the breakthrough, but it was worth the wait. On the stroke of half time, striker Sam Hoskins delivered a terrific cross into the area on the run and picked out Callum McNish, who powerfully headed home to make it 1-0 going into the break.

The hosts maintained their tempo in the second period and their pressure told just before the hour mark when the advantage was doubled.
Daryl McLean skated down the left and cut the ball back to where Jordan Keegan was waiting to sidefoot home inside the box putting Saints on course for the win.

The scoring was complete inside the last five minutes with a goal of sheer quality from centre back Aarran Racine. McNish turned provider as his free-kick picked out the tall defender just inside the Portsmouth area, and Racine took the ball on his chest to set himself up for an overhead kick which flew into the back of the net for a goal which any striker would have been proud of.

The result however, was not the only pleasing aspect for Dave Puckett who felt a win had been coming for his side.

"We managed the game well," he said. "There were so many good, disciplined performances from everyone for a derby match and we kept a clean sheet too, whilst scoring three times is extra sweet.

"We had reminded ourselves that we have been playing well lately and that only lapses in concentration have cost us in recent games, so we didn't want to give them any chances and we're delighted that we didn't."

Saints Under-18s: Dovey, Argent, Racine, Martin, Reeves, McLean (Isgrove 78), McNish, Robinson, Holder-Spooner, Keegan, Hoskins (Garrod 70).