Southampton Rangers 0 Somerset Eagles 3

Somerset Eagles continued to fly high last night, handing Southampton Rangers a 3-0 loss in the First Division Shield at St. John's Field.

Although Rangers remain winless in all competitions this season, youngsters Roland Rhodes and forward, Reggie Lowe provided the sparse 'bank committee on hand a promising glimpse of the future with a few flashes of brilliance.

In fact Rangers, who trailed to a fifth minute Darren Dowling strike and the first of two thunderous goals from the boot of Eagles' first-half substitute Ian Raynor, remained in this match until Jason Raynor missed a penalty in the 65th minute.

However, matches are won with goals and it was in this department that the Shield holders proved the more able, Raynor killing off Rangers with the third in the 70th minute.

With Jelani Butterfield, Dowling and Stephen Burrows combining well up front, ably supported in midfield by Kion Simmons, Marco Butterfield and Dion Woolridge, Eagles always looked threatening when going forward. At the opposite end Rangers, relying on the counter attack, had their share of chances but did not take any.

After going behind following Dowling's goal, Rangers almost grabbed an equaliser when Rhodes connected with a volley from 25 yards which brought an equally good save from Eagles' keeper, Adrian Burrows.

At the other end Dowling and Burrows executed a text book wall pass that dissected the Rangers' defence, only for quick-thinking 'keeper Gerald Simons to thwart the attack.

Eagles, began the second-half as they had the first, substitute Raynor's first-time blast from 35 yards whistling by a flailing Simons in the 50th minute.

Southampton's chance to get back into the match came 15 minutes later when a long ball was played into the Eagles area and in an effort to clear a defender handballed, Earlston Wolffe pointing to the spot.

But Jason Raynor's effort was well wide and Rangers were made to pay when Ian Raynor doubled his tally 20 minutes from time - scoring with another firm drive from the edge of the area after a scramble.