A LATE equaliser thwarted Vale of White Horse Under 13s in their bid to lift the Meeson Trophy as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton at Abingdon Town.
Needing a win to clinch top spot in the league-based competition, Vale started strongly and Murray Bellis fired them ahead with a low drive.
But Southampton had the better of the second half, and Tyler Cordner equalised with a fierce 25-yard shot five minutes from time.
Jack Westhead’s second-half strike saw Vale of White Horse Under 14s open their ESFA Isle of Wight Festival campaign with a 1-0 win over East Cornwall at Ventnor FC.
Westhead ran on to Benji Anderson’s defence-splitting pass ten minutes after the break to shoot past the advancing keeper.
With Harrison Crick strong at centre back and Seth Humphries controlling midfield, Vale held on to their narrow advantage.
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