ANDOVER Town star Adam Grange swapped the Portway Stadium for the Tallaght Stadium as he travelled to Ireland with Southampton’s Under 18 side.

The young winger was selected alongside fellow Sparsholt College Football Academy product Ryan Penny for the away game against Shamrock Rovers Under 18s earlier this month.

The pair, who are members of the Saints Second Chance Programme, both started for the Premier League side’s U18 outfit.

However they could not inspire a victory for their team, who were beaten 3-0 through goals from Ciaran Brennan, Aaron Bolger and Dean Williams.

Penny, a midfielder, played the full 90 minutes, while winger Grange, who has bagged five goals for Andover Town this season, was substituted on 75 minutes.

Despite the result, both players impressed and the college is hopeful the pair will be given further opportunities.

Former Andover Town manager and Sparsholt Academy boss, Neil Benson, said: “We’re grateful at the Sparsholt Academy that Southampton’s Academy side presented our player with such an invaluable experience to their development.

“Being invited to an overseas game is a great privilege and achievement”.

Coach Lewis Benson, a former Andover Town captain, added: “First and second year students are continuously working hard and striving for opportunities with clubs at a professional level.

“This game highlighted both players’ attitudes which have been first class and extremely deserving of such a fantastic platform to play football.”

The Saints Second Chance programme is specifically for top-quality, talented and committed players between the ages of 16 and 19.

The programme aims to develop footballing potential as well as enabling players to gain