Lymington Town 0 Saints U23s 1

SAINTS U23s will play Blackfield & Langley in this season’s Southampton Senior Cup final – but only after a late winner against Sydenhams Wessex League opposition tonight.

Lymington goalkeeper Ross Casey was distraught at the final whistle after tarnishing an excellent performance with a 82nd-minute own goal.

Attempting to punch clear a free kick from Callum Slattery, Casey deflected it into his own net.

That Saints were grateful to a mistake from a Wessex League side that was not at full strength said much for the performance of the underdogs.

Casey had kept Lymington level with an excellent reaction save at his near post from Alfie Jones, following a Tyreke Johnson corner, shortly after Slattery struck the his crossbar with a left-flank free-kick.

The former Winchester City and AFC Totton goalkeeper also kept out a Johnson drive.

Lymington continued to frustrate the Saints youngsters in the second half.

Callum Davis blocked at the near post from Olufela Olomola, who missed the target from close range when former Arsenal winger Nathan Tella whipped a delicious ball across Casey’s six-yard box.

Owen Fee, a contemporary of Slattery as a young member of the Saints academy, typified Lymington’s tenacity in midfield alongside Saints analyst Nathan Hurst, who impressed against his employers.

Ironically, Fee was booked for a foul on Slattery teammates Adam Roberts and Ryan Fuller also received yellow cards from referee (Aaron Moody) - and had a powerful shot blocked before providing Saints goalkeeper Kingsley Latham with a hand-warmer from distance.

Lymington gave their all and lost nothing in comparison with Saints in much of their approach play.

But Casey was the busier of the keepers and at least had the chance to atone for his error with another fine save, denying Olomola from close range after wonderful skill from Tella in injury time.

Saints: Kingsley Latham, Kieran Freeman (Harrison Davis 65), Will Wood, Ben Rowthorn, Alfie Jones, Aaron O’Driscoll, Nathan Tella, Callum Slattery, Olufela Olomola, Siph Mdalose (Harry Hamblin 65), Tyreke Johnson.
Subs not used: Christopher Klarer, Jack Rose, Will Smallbone.

Lymington Town: Ross Casey, Callum Davis, Ryan Fuller, Nathan Hurst, Tim Stephenson, Steve Walker, Ashley Jarvis (Serge Fon 90), Adam Roberts, Sam House, Charlie Willett, Owen Fee.
Subs not used: Stuart Williamson, Nick Magee, Jake King, Jonny Jordan.

Attendance: 220