Southampton Rangers 5 St David’s 0

Southampton Rangers produced an attacking masterpiece yesterday as they thrashed St David’s at Southampton Oval to advance to the next round of the FA Cup.

A brace from striker Dion Stovell and goals from Stepheen Astwood, Keedai Astwood and Ezekiel Stoneham helped Rangers to an emphatic win.

“Everyone wants to win the FA Cup,” McQuinn Burch, the Southampton Rangers captain, said. “Every time you step onto the field you want to win and today was no different.

“Having them come to us at home was beneficial given their field is bigger and there is a lot of space. Our pitch is the opposite, less space to move in and I think that was crucial in the result.

“When you get games at your house, you must make use of the home field advantage, and that’s what we did.”

The trio of Stovell and the two Astwood’s linked to devastating effect, torturing the Islanders defence at every opportunity.

Dion Stovell got the opening two goals ten minutes apart to send the hosts on their way. His first, a typical goal from the influential player, was a neat finish past goalkeeper Corey Richardson following a weaving run through St David’s defenders.

Richardson was again beaten by Stovell, an identical goal to his first, after good link up play with Steven Astwood and Stoneham.

St David’s had one good chance the entire game which fell to George O’Brien Jr just after the break, but his effort was just wide of the Rangers goal.

Steven Astwood was then hauled down in the area five minutes into the second half, but the ensuing spot kick was hit wide by Stovell, who could not believe his luck.

He would make amends one minute later, however, slicing through the St David’s defence once again, this time laying off for Steven Astwood who tapped home from two yards.

The goal of the game came from Keedai Astwood, who was not to be outdone by Stovell, gliding past his marker down the left-hand side before letting fly from an acute angle that beat Richardson at his near post.

Stoneham then helped himself to a goal seventeen minutes from time. A Keedai Astwood short corner was met by the midfielder, who flicked his effort into the near post as well. Stovell almost completed the route, and his hat-trick, dancing his way in the area once again, leaving Richardson and his defenders chasing shadows with step overs and cut backs. His shot, however, was cleared off the line.

“This was a good win for the club, we wanted to come out and put in a good shift, and that’s what we did,” Burch added.