Saints reached the semi-finals of the Times FA Youth Cup last night for only the second time in their history - and landed themselves a new goalkeeper into the bargain.

Hot prospect Alan Blayney quit at the start of his second year at the club's Academy because he was homesick for Northern Ireland.

But he has continued to fly back to help in the FA Youth Cup and that has rekindled his appetite for the game. Last night he agreed to resume his scholarship - and then produced six blinding saves to help the team to win at Crewe.

That put Southampton on course for their first-ever final. But they have to get through a two-leg semi-final against Derby or last season's runners-up Coventry who meet next week.

Dell Academy director John Sainty said: "It was a terrific win and a double celebration with Alan agreeing to rejoin us.

"We think he has a good chance of making it but he had to decide that for himself and we have tried not to pressure him. But the door was always open for him and we are delighted he is back."

Blayney said: "I will be starting back here on March 1 and I am really looking forward to being back. I have missed playing each week. There is a fantastic team spirit here and it would be great to think we might reach the FA Youth Cup final."

Last night's overall team display and commitment against a talented Crewe side most pleased youth coach Stewart Henderson.

He said: "It was great experience for them and they stuck at it strongly even after they had been pegged back to 1-1. You could see from the way they celebrated together at the end just how much it meant to them.

"They have had three hard away ties and come through them and it would be great for them to become the first Southampton side ever to reach the final."

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