Saints retain Ted Bates trophy with win over Anderlecht

Strangest of all was the absence of Antti Niemi. According to Harry “Antti has a lot of personal problems to deal with and I won't elaborate on that. The chairman is dealing with it ‘for personal reasons’.” Quite what this means is anyone’s guess at the moment, so we will have to take it at face value for now and wish Antti the best.

This left Saints with the following line-up:

Smith
Kenton (Powell, 25), Lunkekvam, Hajto
Baird, Prutton, Oakley (c), Delap (Surman, 85), Higginbotham
Jones, Ormerod (Dyer, 85)

Subs: Blayney, Critchell

After an early effort from Jones, a collective groan went around the stadium as Delap conceded a fifth minute penalty which Scrabble favourite Zewlakow put away in style.

Delap showed he had lost none of his finishing ability from last season (apart from the freak 10 minutes against Arsenal) with the Anderlecht keeper blocking his shot when well placed to score.

Saints equalised after good work by Higginbotham when Jones beat the keeper to the ball and scored with a delicate chip. The lead was doubled when former Newcastle centre back Dabizas miscued a back pass and that man again Jones stole in to score his second goal.

Hajto looks set to become a real cult hero with a display of powerful defending, classy distribution and a desire to get forward. Saints will be hoping he carries this kind of form into the Championship and that Harry’s famous wheeling and dealing has uncovered another gem.

His performance drew praise from Harry: “I was pleased with Hajto. He came in on trial and did well so we took him and if I am given the opportunity I can find these players. He has captained Poland and played for Schalke when they almost won the Bundesliga. He passes to his own team which is something quite new we are trying to introduce for this season!”

Saints were unlucky to concede a second goal thanks to a freak deflection on a shot from distance by Lovre that left Smith wrong-footed and Saints fans with a sense of déjà vu from last season at seeing a lead surrendered.

Saints reverted to 4-4-2 in the second half, as Saints fans were treated to the inspiring sight of Theo Walcott’s home debut. He was once again a thorn in the side of the opposition using his pace and trickery to good effect. Pre-season has shown that it will be a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ he makes his Saints debut this season and no doubt Harry will take great care in nurturing his talent.

Jones’ dream afternoon continued when, after good work from Oakley, Prutton got behind the Anderlecht defence and teed him up for a third. There is not much more that Jones can do to make his case for starting against Wolves than scoring a hat-trick against decent opposition. It will be interesting to see who Harry selects alongside the talent of Marian Pahars, particularly if Harry does sign another striker after the arrival of Fuller. Jones will certainly have given Harry food for thought with this performance.

All in all an excellent finish to an unbeaten pre-season boasting three wins and one draw. As Harry pointed out Anderlecht were under-strength, but then again so were Saints and a final pre-season win is a good confidence booster for players and fans alike. Saints are looking in good shape for the tough challenges ahead in the Championship, particularly if Harry can get in a classy left-sided player.

Star man: Kenwyne Jones surprising and delighting with a well taken hat-trick

Cameo of the day: That man/boy again Theo Walcott, surely worth a place on the bench against Wolves on this display with a series of electrifying runs

Lemon of the day: Rory Delap for conceding the penalty, getting booked and failing to convince in his free role in midfield. Will no doubt be returning to right wing back against Wolves.