MARAUDING Moordown Athletic under-15s crushed Portsmouth League high-fliers Pickwick Tigers in a ‘Clash of the Titans’ Hampshire Cup tie.

The Tigers arrived at Pelhams Leisure Centre in buoyant mood after winning all of their league and cup games so far this season.

But they more than met their match, as unbeaten Athletic remained on track for their second county trophy triumph with an emphatic 9-1 victory.

The hosts, who won the Hampshire Cup in 2010-11, raced into a 4-0 lead at the interval with Callum Smyth opening the floodgates with a towering header from a corner.

With influential Harry Bunce pulling the strings, the reigning Bournemouth league and cup holders pressed forward for a further three goals.

Following the interval, Athletic stretched their advantage to 6-0 before Tigers netted a consolation goal on the hour mark.

Athletic’s marksmen were James Dodd, Bunce, Artur Sousa, Jamie Wilkinson (2), Asa Phillips (2) and Smyth (2).

Manager Ano Bourton’s team have reached the last eight of the Hampshire Cup for three successive seasons. They are also the last Bournemouth League team left in the under-15 competition.

Moordown Athletic: Michael Figuiera, James Dodd, Ryan Johnson, Harry Bunce, Rhys Newman, Artur Sousa (captain), Jamie Wilkinson, Kern Browne, Asa Phillips, Sean O’Donoghue, Callum Smyth, Ryan MacKenzie.