U18s progress in FA Youth Cup

Inside the opening 10 minutes, Kazeem Olaigbe ensured a dominant start resulted in an early lead, before Sam Bellis added a second just before the break.

Remaining in control after the restart, Kegs Chauke rounded off the scoring as Saints comfortably advanced.

Looking to mirror their advancement from the third round last season, the hosts got off to an impressive start, dictating play before taking the lead with just six minutes on the clock.

Receiving the ball 30 yards out and with his back to goal, Ramello Michell’s clever turn enable him to run at the Coventry back four, drawing attention before teeing up Olaigbe who coolly picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Only looking susceptible on the counter-attack, the visitors’ only notable effort of the half came just past the 10-minute mark, when Matthew Harland’s breakaway cross was blazed over by Hayden Purves.

Searching to double their lead, Saints continued to probe and Olaigbe almost turned provider on 16 minutes.

The winger’s through ball found the run of Marco Rus, but Keelan Fallows was quick off of his line to block the shot from an acute angle.

That chance marked the end of the early opportunities, as the game plateaued into a more evenly contested affair for the remainder of the half, with a stop-start nature.

With chances now at a premium, it took until the stroke of half-time for Saints to double their advantage from the penalty spot.

Mitchell was once again the instigator, threading a perfectly weighted through ball for Bellis, who was felled by George Burroughs.

Dusting himself off, the striker emphatically fired straight down the middle to put Southampton’s youngsters in a commanding position at the break.

Greeted by torrential rain at St Mary’s for the second half, it did little to dampen Southampton’s free-flowing approach.

On 53 minutes, Matt Carson saw his in-swinging corner cannon back off of the post having travelled all the way through, before Bellis went close either side of the hour-mark.

First curling a strike just wide form the edge of the box, Saints’ number 10 then saw his rebound from Olaigbe’s driven shot saved by Fallows, who completed a noteworthy double save.

Looking to put the result beyond doubt, Hardyman’s side didn’t have to wait long as Chauke capped a fine solo display with a goal.

Striding forward confidently with the ball, the midfielder picked out the bottom corner with an inch-perfect shot from 25 yards, as the score threatened to turn into a rout.

Triggering another onslaught on Fallows’ goal, Bellis had an attempt ruled out for offside whilst Olaigbe forced another fine save from the Coventry stopper, as the score somehow remained 3-0.

With both sides making changes for the closing stages and the cup victory confirmed, the hosts confidentally played out the closing stages to advance to the fourth round.