Sparsholt’s Southampton Elite squad featuring many of Andover Town’s up and coming youngsters, showed how far they had come last week by destroying both Basingstoke Town and Eastleigh FC’s elite sides in the space of three days in the Conference Youth Alliance at Sparsholt College.

On Monday Basingstoke were humbed 6-0 with David Jerrard, back to his best after a niggly back injury, scoring twice. Further goals from Josh Bertie, Ed Chappe, Oli Bailey and Tom Pattison cemented a fine win.

Two days later Eastleigh were the visitors on a heavy pitch and were duly despatched 5-0 as well as having two men sent off late on.

Sam Burt waltzed into the penalty area inside 20 seconds and his shot flew in past keeper Tom Coffey before Jerrard got into gear and he linked with Chappe before Coffey saved well.

Bailey was also denied seconds later as Sparsholt threatened to overwhelm Eastleigh and the same man twice went close before Jarrard’s cross found Tommy Wright whose sublime first touch wrongfooted the defence and he fired home the second.

A minute later it was 3-0 as Chappe’s jinking run was too much for Eastleigh and he finished well.

Eastleigh began well after the break but Sparsholt were soon back in the groove and Charlie Gunson went close twice having been set up by Jerrard and Chappe.

In a rare attack Tony Lee headed over for Eastleigh but on 66 minutes it was 4-0 as Jerrard set up Pattison to bundle in number four.

With 15 minutes left Lee had an effort disallowed for pushing and for a while the heavy pitch took its toll and the game became scrappy.

With Eastleigh tiring Sparsholt substitute Callum Cuniffe-Pilley and Wright linked to set up Jerrad for the fifth which he took in style to round off the scoring.

Sadly for Eastleigh Jack Smith and Jack Waters were both sent off late in the game as Sparsholt set themselves up for their League Cup tie with AFC Sudbury today (Friday).