Deans cup stars are in demand
Wessex League managers are showing interest in Horndean’s county youth cup hat-trick heroes.
A first half penalty from Evan Harris gave Horndean Red a 1-0 victory over Winchester City Red in the final of the Hampshire U18 Cup.
It was the squad’s third county triumph, having previously won in
2016 and 2019 while playing under the Pickwick Youth umbrella.
The only goal came when Harris was brought down by the City keeper, who was booked for the foul. Harris got up to convert his 30th league and cup goal in 22 games this season.
‘It was a good, competitive final,’ reported Deans boss Jason Harris.
‘It was fantastic, really close, lots of chances at both ends.’
Horndean were without key midfielder Mackenzie Morgan, who broke his ankle in training in the week leading up to the final. In addition, Spencer Luff and Harry Yoxall were cup-tied.
‘This is our third Hampshire cup win,’ Harris continued, ‘and I’d say the most enjoyable. We lost five or six players to men’s football last season, but it’s really surprised me how good the lads we’ve pulled in have been.
‘We didn’t expect to win the cup this year, we did expect to win the others. And we’ve beaten some good sides this season - Baffins, who are top of our league, and Laverstock & Ford hadn’t lost before we beat them.’
This season marks the end of the squad’s time in youth football. Already, Evan Harris has become a regular in Moneyfields’ Wessex League squads after joining in mid-season.
Jason Harris revealed: ‘Moneys have been really good in letting Evan carry on playing youth football for us.
‘There’s Wessex Premier interest in a few of the boys for next season. I’ve already had requests from some managers.’
Horndean Red retain an ‘outside chance’ of a second successive Hampshire Combination East U18 division title.
Ahead of last night’s game with US Portsmouth, they trailed Baffins by seven points with a match in hand.