Southampton Under-18’s coach Dave Puckett was delighted to see a plan come together as The Saints progressed in the F.A Youth Cup.
Southampton’s youngsters eased past Hereford Utd 6-0 with 1st Year Apprentice Sam Hoskins grabbing four of the goals.
And Puckett was impressed by the way his time went about the fixture.
Speaking to the club website he said,
“It was pleasing on a lot of counts, I think we needed that first goal, it settled us down. We had a few chances before it came but once it did, we were able to play to the game plan.”
“We felt that our strengths lay in the pace of the team, especially out wide and up front and we could exploit them in a number of ways, out wide, through the middle and over the top. We scored goals in all those different ways, so that was very pleasing, but it was also pleasing to keep a clean sheet and to do a professional job.
“We defended as a team, but as in the previous round at Aldershot, we had to earn the right to play, so we had to compete all over the pitch, in the air and on the ground,”
he added.
Sam Hoskins’ tally of four goals on the night saw the youngster earn a glowing tribute from Puckett who was also keen to talk up his team’s overall quality.
“Sam’s got a very good goals for games ratio because he’s a technically bright player and like a number of others in the team, he’s blessed with pace so that gets him in behind defenders.”
“He was composed, and he’s taken his goals well tonight as he has done all season, so it was pleasing to see him finish off a number of moves, but it was a team effort, and he’ll be the first to say that he was put into those positions by a good team performance.”
“Sam’s waited patiently for his opportunity and since he’s come in, he’s scored regularly and he’s proved his value to the squad.”
“He’s one of a number of players who played well in their positions. He may grab the headlines for getting four of the six goals, but he finished off a good game plan which is the most pleasing part.”
A trip to Loftus Road now awaits The Saints as they prepare to do battle with Queens Park Rangers in the third round.
