Full focus on National League South title race as Southampton under-23s end Hawks' Hampshire Senior Cup defence

All focus is now on the National League South title push for the Hawks after they were dumped out of the Hampshire Senior Cup this evening.
Dean Beckwith. Picture: Dave HainesDean Beckwith. Picture: Dave Haines
Dean Beckwith. Picture: Dave Haines

The holders suffered a 3-1 quarter-final defeat against Southampton under-23s at AFC Totton.

Paul Doswell's side had not been beaten in the competition since September 2016 but efforts from Kornelius Hansen, Caleb Watts and Ramello Mitchell sent the Saints through to the last four.

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Dean Beckwith did give the Hawks some hope but his strike 16 minutes from time proved just a consolation.

Things could not have started any worse for the Hawks, who found themselves two goals down inside the opening six minutes.

Southampton struck the opener on two minutes when Hansen cut inside from the right and sent a curling shot past Adam Parkes.

A second goal followed for the Saints' under-23s just three minutes later.

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Goalkeeper Parkes could only parry a shot, with Watts quickest to react by tucking home the rebound.

But to the Hawks' credit, they were the better side for the remainder of the half.

Although they failed to get a goal to bring them back into it, chances were created.

Jonah Ayunga fired a shot straight at Tommy Scott in the Southampton goal while Alfie Rutherford, Bedsente Gomis and been Read all went close with efforts.

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The Saints’ young guns were looking to put the games beyond Doswell's side and Hansen fired a shot just wide of the post on the hour.

However, a third did arrive 11 minutes later when Mitchell bundled the ball home from close range.

The Hawks were not about to give their cup defence without a fight, though, as Beckwith pulled a goal back with 16 minutes to go.

Chris Paul then came agonisingly close to setting up a tense final five minutes, but his effort came crashing back out off the crossbar.

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