by Danny O'hara

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Solent 2nd team manager David Stead believes there is no reason why his side can’t repeat another near invincible season, after their 3-0 derby win away to University of Southampton 3rds in their opening game of the BUCS Western 4 th division on Wednesday.

Raithe Standen opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a wonderful long-range volley, before captain George Dawson doubled their lead by flicking home a near post header from a corner six minutes later.

Striker Deontai Stewart was brought down inside the penalty area on the stroke of half time, and after brushing himself down he fired the spot-kick low to the keeper’s right to seal the win for
Solent.

The 2nds won the BUCs western 5A division last campaign, picking up a victory in every league game they played under former manager James Edmonds.

“It’s definitely a positive start for us, the record that Jammy set was superb and obviously we want to try and replicate that, and if we carry on playing like we did today we could do it again.

“Attacking wise we looked superb today, getting three goals early on helped us to play the ball more.”

Having got on the scoresheet, skipper George Dawson was also more than satisfied with Solent’s disciplined performance.

“Our nature of football was good today, we played our football in the first half and that enabled us to dig deep in the second and get the win.

“Once we started to gel together, we let our football continue throughout the game and it just looks positive going forward from now.”