Jake Scrimshaw nets a hat-trick as the under-18s reached the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.

Scrimshaw took centre stage as the Cherries booked a place in the last 16 of the competition for only the second time in their history after triumphing 3-0 against Oxford United.

It was the third time this season that the Isle of Wight-born hitman had plundered three goals in a game against the U’s as Alan Connell’s under-18s set up a home tie with Aston Villa.

Scrimshaw broke the deadlock with a sumptuous strike in the 37^th minute at Oxford City’s Court Place Farm before netting twice after the break.

His second goal was another stunner, the 18-year-old applying a magnificent header to an inch-perfect centre from strike partner Christian Saydee.

And Scrimshaw’s finely-taken third, a venomous strike from just inside the 18-yard box, capped an impressive all-round team performance from Connell’s young guns.

United failed to trouble the Cherries goalkeeper Calum Ward after being awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position in the third minute.

Ryan Crooks back-heeled the ball into the path of Nico Jones whose effort from the edge of the box sailed well wide of the upright.

Although the hosts had the better of the early exchanges, the Cherries fashioned the best chance of the first 20 minutes when Christian Saydee went close to opening the scoring.

But having jinked his way past three defenders and taken aim from 20 yards, the striker saw his venomous strike superbly saved by Oxford goalkeeper Max Evans.

Defender Tom Hanfrey scooped a shot from Slavi Spasov off the line and into the hands of Ward before Scrimshaw’s low drive flashed past the post.

As the Cherries began to gain a foothold, Jake Cope tried his luck from distance, only to see his fierce effort fly the wrong side of the upright.

And a sharp turn from Saydee saw the striker create an opening for himself, although his shot from an acute angle was also off target.

Scrimshaw drew first blood for the visitors when his sublime finish in the 37^th minute had Evans beaten all ends up.

The in-form marksman curled a delightful shot over the stopper and into the top corner having been set up following a sweeping move down the left involving Hanfrey and Cope.

It was the Ryde-born 18-year-old’s eighth goal of the season against Oxford having already plundered two hat-tricks in Youth Alliance league and cup games. 

As the hosts looked for a quick response, Ward snaffled a close-range effort from Crooks before Owen James’s penalty appeal fell on deaf ears after the winger had taken a tumble inside the box.