FORMER Saints trainee Matt Huxley returned to his old Southampton roots to end Team Solent’s FA Vase hopes for the second year running.

His brace helped Cadbury Heath win 3-2 in Saturday’s first round proper tie at Test Park, writes Mike Vimpany.

It was déjà vu for the 33-year old striker, who spent ten seasons on Southampton’s books in the Dell days of Dave Jones, Glenn Hoddle and Stuart Gray before a serious injury effectively ended his prospects of a full-time professional career.

Having scored four times against them in last season’s Vase ties – he hit a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw at Test Park – it was surprising Solent didn’t tight mark him.

Instead, the Bristolian, who won last season’s Western League’s Golden Boot award for his 42 goals for Cadbury Heath, was allowed the freedom of the park.

In contrast, Solent’s 11-goal hitman Jesse Waller-Lassen was kept under the closest scrutiny and frequently had two defenders snapping at his heels when he got the ball.

Team Solent were made to pay.

In truth, Huxley, whose association with Saints began when he was eight years of age and travelled from his Bristol home to the club’s Development Centres with his father, ought to have scored more than twice in a tie laced with chances.

Waller-Lassen did set up both the Team Solent goals – initially, Mark Jordan’s 17th-minute opener with some excellent by-line play.

But Huxley soon made his presence felt by laying on Lucas Harte’s equaliser.

Huxley hit an upright and unbelievably miscued the rebound soon after, but he wasn’t kept at bay for long and, 32 minutes into the tie, headed Cadbury Heath into a half-time lead.

The visitors hit the underside of the Team Solent bar before the break and dominated the early stages of the second half.

When Waller-Lassen did the spadework for an equaliser by Steve Black the tie appeared to be headed towards extra-time.

But as the referee checked his watch, so Huxley struck again and a disappointing Team Solent were out.