Prospect 1

Southampton Rangers 0

Teenager Thomas Brown was the hero as Prospect advanced to the FA Cup semifinals with a surprise victory over favoured Southampton Rangers at Devonshire Rec.

The teams had fought to a 1-1 draw after extra time on Sunday at Southampton Oval.

Last night 18-year-old Brown's goal settled the issue and handed his side a tie against Premier Division Devonshire Cougars. The seldom used youngster, playing, in just his third game, slotted home a cross from the left from Leonard Davis a minute before the interval.

Substituted for Carlos Lopes after 82 minutes, young Brown was pleased to snatch the winner to enable his team to continue their glorious march in the competition.

“It was my first goal. I haven't played that much at all this season and, to be honest, I don't think I played that well.

“I certainly feel that I could have played better,” he said.

“But the fact remains that the goal counted for a lot and we are able to move on in the competition. I really feel happy for the rest of the players and our coach.”

The game itself was a rather dull affair, but Rangers have to be upset about their inability to turn their early territorial advantages into a goal.

They hotly disputed the goal when it came and an uncalled for outburst by midfielder Donnie Charles cost Rangers dearly with referee Andre Manders sending him off immediately after Brown struck.

Charles had alleged that linesman James Pace appeared to have his flag up for some sort of infringement, only to then take it down.

The player raced over to Pace, grabbed the flag out of his hand and threw it to the ground in disgust. After a short consultation between Manders and Pace the player was given his marching orders.

Rangers had in fact forced Prospect to defend stoutly during the first 20 minutes. However, time and time again decent approach work ended with shots placed wide or over the goal.

One of the better chances came after 13 minutes when Neville Grant crossed from the left only to see Kareem Richardson's shot from a few yards deflected for a corner.

Later, Kamen Tucker made a mess of a ball he received from a long throw in from Ryan Belboda, blowing his chance to score from a couple of yards.

These gaffes allowed Prospect to come more into the game, midfielder Paul Towlson heading over and Clifford Roberts blasting a 17-yard effort high.

Playing short did not seem to affect Rangers during the first ten minutes of the second period, with Tucker forcing goalkeeper Kevin Bean to make a diving save from a 16-yard shot and Dillas blasting over from 22 yards.

But as time progressed Rangers lost their sharpness and Prospect, with Phillip Bailey always looking dangerous during isolated counters, kept them on their toes.

However, after 83 minutes Rangers were unlucky when a rocket from ailing centre-back and skipper Meschach Wade, struggling with a pulled hamstring, saw Bean dive full length to save.

Prospect finished strongly and they too were unlucky when Vic Ball's thunderous shot was pushed around the post by a diving Gerald Simons in the Rangers goal.

Southampton: G.Simons; M.Williams, M.Wade, R.Belboda, O.Hart; K.Tucker, D.Charles, Kw.Tucker (C.Darrell, 53 min); N.Grant (D.Bailey, 80 min), H.Dillas, K.Richardson.

Subs not used: R.Lowe, N.Smith, D.Burchall.

Prospect: K.Bean; A.Daniels, Q.Francis, C.Roberts, S.Gair; P.Towlson, L.Davis, L.Mathurin; T.Brown (C.Lopes, 82 min), P.Bailey, V.Ball.

Subs not used: D.Reece, K.Sheeheed, K.Evans, D.Lewis.

Booked: H.Dillas (Southampton); P.Bailey (Prospect).

Sent off: D.Charles (Southampton).

Men of the match: O.Hart (Rangers); P.Bailey (Prospect).

Referee: A.Manders.