U18 Report: Saints 4-1 Wolves

Brad Carr had edged the visitors in front early on, before Harry Hamblin levelled the scores, and Michael Obafemi's well taken hat-trick sealed the tie in impressive fashion.

The striker's remarkable seasonal goal tally reached double figures in the process, while Hamblin's authoritative midfield display also made him one of the night's standout performers.

A confident start to proceedings set the tone for the hosts, as Will Smallbone's 20-yard curled free-kick was only a glimpse of a busy 90 minutes of goalmouth action.

Hamblin skewed an effort awkwardly wide moments later, as the hosts continued to overload the opposition half, committing bodies forward in search of an early opener.

Obafemi's industry almost gifted Saints the easiest of opportunities, as he charged down Jackson Smith, before the ball fell fortuitously to Jonathan Afolabi. The wideman's first time effort was deflected marginally off target.

Completely against the run of play, Wolves gained the upper hand in the 23rd minute. Ryan Giles freed himself down the left, charged towards the byline, before a fizzed cross was latched on to by Carr.

The teenager's finish was emphatic, as a helpless Alex Cull was left stranded by the quality and precision of the delivery, combined with a well timed run by Carr.

Saints finished the half with a flurry though, after a succession of chances for Obafemi and Harlem Hale, before Hamblin applied the telling touch to a Jake Vokins corner kick.

Hale's pace gained the initial ground, before a panicked clearance from Joel Whittingham granted Saints a corner. Meticulous in his delivery, Vokins whipped the ball towards a crowded six yard melee, before Hamblin reacted quickest to smash the ball home and restore parity on the stroke of half time.

The second period began much in the same way as the first, with Saints in firm control. Obafemi squandered a chance in the 55th minute, as Javen Siu's glancing header fell the way of the striker, before skimming the side netting.

But Saints' top scorer wasn't going to make a mistake at the second time of asking, as a wonderfully weighted pass from Hamblin was cooly converted by the frontman.

Blistering pace allowed Obafemi to ease past Daniel McKenna, before calmly rolling the ball past the onrushing Smith. Saints, now in ascendancy, finished the tie in style, adding a further two goals.

None other than talisman Obafemi collected the match ball after completing his hat-trick late on. A replica of his previous strike, the 17-year-old utilised a reserve of pace and power to outmuscle his opposition defender, before classily rounding Smith and tapping home.

The treble was completed in added time, as Vokins was hauled down in the area, giving Obafemi the chance to net from the penalty spot. Brazenly, he did just that.