By Will Taylor
USW 2nds fell victim to a clinical and well organised Solent University 1sts in the final of the Western Conference Cup, going down 4-0 at the Sports Park.
A goal from Kieran O’Donnell in the first half, alongside a Jean-Pierre Alexander volley and a Harry Barkaway double in the second period gave Solent a deserved victory.
A spirited first half performance from USW was undone after half an hour when an Alexander Wellman cross found the feet of O’Donnell in the penalty box and the winger couldn’t miss.
USW started the second half well, though found themselves 2-0 down with just over an hour played when an Alexander free-kick somehow found Barkaway alone at the back post, with the central midfielder making no mistake.
The goal of the game came from Alexander 10 minutes later when he met Aiden Harris’ throw-in with a spectacular volley on the half-turn, leaving USW ‘keeper Dan Thomas with no chance.
The game was then put to bed by Barkaway, as he rounded an onrushing Thomas and slotted home comfortably with 10 minutes to go.
USW may feel a bit hard done by after an even first half saw 1-0 down at the break. The hosts had numerous chances to take the lead, with Corey McKeary and Iwan Mooney both testing Ben Haywood in the Solent goal.
Josh Bell forced a brilliant save from Haywood early in the second half as his low shot from just outside of the box was turned around the post.
USW didn’t give up, but Solent grew more into it after their second goal and began to dominate. Their third and fourth goals were their reward.