ST PETER U16s made a major statement in the Kent FA U16 County Youth Cup with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Welling United.

Welling United U16 0 – 8 St Peter U16

C. Baird x3, K. McGeever x3, G. Godfrey, H. Nightingale

HT Score: 0-2

The Cross-keys faced a difficult trip to the mainland for their first-round tie, with Welling joint-top of the Kent U16 Central League and one of 21 semi-professional clubs among the 73 teams entered.

Having already opened their league campaign with a hard-fought victory away to St Ouen, the young Islanders travelled with confidence following last season’s experience in the U15 competition, when they pushed Bromley FC before eventually losing 4-2.

Playing in their blue and white away strip on Welling’s 3G surface, St Peter made a fast start in front of a sizeable home crowd.

Both sides enjoyed spells of possession during an entertaining opening, but it was the visitors who took the lead after 15 minutes when Charlie Baird found the net.

St Peter settled into their high-tempo game and doubled their advantage 15 minutes later through Kai Lloy McGeever.

The Islanders went into the interval two goals ahead and made the perfect start to the second half, with Baird scoring his second within 50 seconds of the restart.

Welling were forced to chase the game and began leaving gaps at the back, which St Peter exploited with increasing confidence.

George Godfrey added a fourth after excellent build-up play, beating two defenders before finishing from just inside the area.

With 25 minutes remaining, manager Godfrey took the opportunity to give his substitutes valuable game time, but St Peter continued to dominate.

Harry Nightingale made it five before McGeever added his second. Baird and McGeever then completed their respective hat-tricks as the Cross Keys ran out emphatic 8-0 winners.

“It was a fantastic day for the boys,” said manager Nigel Godfrey, “considering we are effectively only just commencing our season and this was only our second match.

“There were some brilliant passages of play and some great goals scored. The atmosphere was quite hostile from a sizeable crowd, something the team normally don’t have to cope with.

“I was really impressed by how the lads conducted themselves under these circumstances. They clearly let their football do the talking.

“It was pleasing to get a convincing victory on English soil in what was a physical battle and we look forward to the next round, whoever we are drawn against.”

The result puts St Peter firmly on the radar of the remaining teams, with the second-round draw due to be made on Friday afternoon.

The next round is scheduled for Sunday 18 October.

St Peter U16 squad: George Godfrey (c), Luke Ramage, Tyler Jackson, Noah Ip, Oli Murtagh, Brandon Le Brocq, Ethan Mills, Ted Dove, Harry Nightingale, Charlie Baird, Kai Lloy McGeever, Josh Bailey-Walker, Hubert Burdynski, Tomas Silva, Marcus Dias