B Team Preview: Saints vs Stoke City
Southampton’s B team play their final regular season home game as they host Stoke City in Premier League 2 on Friday evening, with the game moved to Staplewood.
THE MATCH
Saints vs Stoke City
Premier League 2
Staplewood Campus
Friday 14th April, 7pm
For ticket details see below
Saints are looking to make it three successive wins in the league as they picked up impressive victories either side of the international break.
Last time out, goals from Will Armitage, Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Kamari Doyle were enough to see off a challenge from Derby County on the road.
That result leaves Saints in control of their own destiny, as the youngsters need just one point from their final two games to confirm a place in the end of season playoffs.
Stoke City are currently second from bottom in the league table and know that they can finish as high as eighth place at the end of the campaign.
The Potters are in fairly inconsistent form as they come into Friday's encounter after a dominant 6-1 win over Derby County, which was a welcome return to winning ways after a 6-1 defeat against Fulham.
Douglas James-Taylor, who has enjoyed first team football with Walsall in League Two this season, scored a hat-trick last time out as Jacob Holland-Wilkinson added a brace with Dara McGuinness rounding off the scoring.
PREVIOUS MEETING
Earlier this season, Saints put in a dominant display at St. George’s Park to claim a 3-0 win over Stoke in the third game of the season.
A first half Sam Bellis brace and an impressive last minute solo effort from Luke Pearce sealed the points.
MATCH INFORMATION
Entry to the training ground will be from 6:15pm, with limited car parking available in the Parks Farm car park.
Due to the limited parking, supporters are advised to walk in or use public transport.
Refreshments will be available to purchase on site in the Parks Farm car park.
COACHES PREVIEW
Ahead of Friday’s game with a playoff finish in sight, Lee Skyrme said:
“We’ve got a nice finish to the season now with all our games meaning something, so our focus is to finish as high as we can in the playoffs - the higher you finish the more likely that games are at home as well.
“First and foremost though, in terms of the development of our players, you learn more from them in games which mean something with the pressure that brings.
“It’ll be a good learning experience for the lads and good for us to see if there are things they still need to develop or if they are in a good place.”
