Youthful Moneyfields under-18s given huge confidence boost from Hampshire FA Youth Cup win

Moneys' bright young things cruised to a 4-1 victory against 10-man AFC Stoneham under-18s on their home turf to be crowned county champions yesterday.

The final was due to be played last season but the Covid-19 outbreak forced the fixture to be postponed.

That meant former under-18s manager Craig Stafford and his squad were unable to compete for the silverware they had worked so hard to claim.

Instead, Close's new group of Moneyfields youngsters were provided with an unexpected final appearance.

And the Moneys under-18s boss hailed his players as they lifted the county cup.

‘Our very good Moneyfields team from last year got to the final against a very good AFC Stoneham from last year but because of Covid-19 we picked it up this year,' said Close.

‘We just got to put the icing on the cake so to speak.

‘We did well but we didn’t get there off our own merit, it was last year’s team.

'Most of my team are under-17s and they’re a good team.

‘We’ve come across some good teams as well.‘That win will give them a huge amount of confidence and it was a nice occasion for them to get silverware.’

Dehran McLay-Hodge headed Moneyfields ahead in the first half seconds after AFC Stoneham had been reduced to 10-men.

Moneys were pegged back on the hour with Stoneham levelling from the penalty spot.

However, a late Moneyfields surge saw Bassy Stott, Joe Clarke and Caleb Neale all net in the closing stages to round off a 4-1 final victory.