WINCHESTER City boss Craig Davis took a “bit of a punt” on signing Tyrell Mitford during the summer – and, boy, has it paid off! 

The 21-year-old former QPR trainee has this week agreed a two-year contract with the Evo-Stik Division One South club after scoring nine goals in just ten appearances – including last Saturday's FA Cup hat-trick at Merthyr Town.

Mitford first arrived on the local scene with Sydenhams Premier outfit Team Solent after moving south to do a coaching and sport development degree at Solent University.

Until this season he had mainly scored goals at Wessex level but the gamble to offer him Southern League football has paid off big time.

“I took a bit of a punt on him during the summer. He’d had a little go at Gosport and he’s obviously got pedigree, but he seemed to be comfortable playing at Wessex level," said Davis.

“But Ty’s come to us and hit the ground running. He’s been brilliant. 

“To score nine goals in ten appearances is fantastic – and some of those ten have not even been full games. 

“I’m really pleased,” 

“He wants to develop and do well and the lads love him to bits.

“We’ve got such a good group of lads here and I think he’s thriving on the environment we’ve set up for the players.

“All the lads we signed in the summer have come in and done brilliantly.

“Some of them you could say were cast-offs, but they’ve all bought into the ethos of what we’re doing here and they’ve enhanced the group.

“Sam Roberts (from AFC Totton) has been brilliant and the same goes for Connor Cocklin, Jake Rawkins, Reece Rusher and the rest.”

The development of Winchester's youth players is also pleasing.

City had nine under-19s – five of whom were under-17 – involved in the squad for the 4-1 win at Merthyr.

One, 16-year-old Brett Cunningham, signed from Farnborough, played the full game.

This Saturday Winchester turn their attentions to the FA Trophy extra preliminary round at Slimbridge where another £2,000 is up for grabs.

“It’s disappointing that we don’t have a league game for another two weeks, but it’s an opportunity to go and win some money,” said Davis.

Matt Benham returns after being cup-tied against Merthyr, but Oli Bailey, Simba Mlambo, Jake Rawkins, Liam Gilbert and George Short are still out.