U18 Report: Arsenal 3-3 Saints
Southampton Under-18s had to settle for a point as they drew 3-3 with Arsenal in the Under-18 Premier League.
Saints sped into a three-goal lead after a superb first 25 minutes that saw Moses Sesay score a brace and Nick Oyekunle also find the net.
But Arsenal hit back through Dan Casey shortly before half time and then levelled the game up through second half goals from Andre Annous and Alex Marciniak.
Saints made a lighting quick start to the game and took the lead with their first attack in the first minute.
Harry Gathercole broke beyond the Arsenal defence on the right and, with Arsenal stretched in the middle, he squared across goal for Sesay to calmly slide home the opener.
Sesay, who was having an excellent start to the game, doubled his side’s advantage when he received possession midway into the Arsenal half and drove towards the opposition box before seeing his left footed shot deflected beyond Jack Porter.
It took until around the 22nd minute for Arsenal to have their first shot on target but it was a comfortable one for Saints keeper Oscar Abbotson, as Ceadach O’Neill’s effort flew safely into his arms.
Saints continued to probe though, going close with a couple of dangerous corner deliveries right under the crossbar that caused panic for Arsenal.
Calum McFarlane’s had their third after they kept an attack alive for the ball to fall to Oyekunle, who controlled well before bundling into the net from close range.
Nick Oyekunle on target again. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
It could have even been 4-0 soon after when another incisive attack saw Harry Gathercole with space and time to shoot at an exposed goalkeeper, but he sliced his effort wide of the near post.
However, the final goal of a lively first period came from Arsenal and it was an excellent move of their own that ended with Casey finishing a low cross from close range.
In the second half, it was the hosts who made a positive impression after the restart when they pulled another goal back; Brando Bailey-Joseph put the ball across goal for Annous to finish.
The hosts, now just one behind, built up some pressure and forced Saints back into their defensive shape for much second period's opening, although further chances for both sides were few and far between.
However, the home side kept looking for their equaliser and duly got it on 81 minutes when Marciniak smashed home Max Dowman’s chipped cross at the back post.
Saints regained their composure in the last 10 minutes of the contest and could have grabbed a late winner when Tommy Dobson-Ventura saw a header and a rebounded shot both blocked well.
James Martin, who was introduced as a second half substitute, also saw a shot saved when he poked goalwards on the stretch, but both sides had to settle for a point.
Saints are in action again on Saturday 21st September when they host Tottenham Hotspur in the Under-18 Premier League, with kick off at Staplewood set for 12pm.
Arsenal: Porter, Julienne, Ismail, Clarke, Sweet (c) (Onyekachukwu 32), Ibrahim, Dowman, Akolbire (Marciniak 32), Annous, Casey (Shuaib (90+8), O'Neill (Bailey-Joseph 45).
Subs not used: Ranson.
Goals: Casey 44, Annous 51, Marciniak 81.
Yellow Cards: Bailey-Joseph, Clarke, Annous.
Saints: Abbotson, Adjei-Afriyie, Dobson-Ventura (c), Okonola-Matthews, Goremusandu, McMullan, Gathercole (Pitts 74), Daley, Oyekunle, Sesay (Martin 67), Sillah Dibaga (Newman 67).
Subs not used: Upstell, Frederick.
Goals: Sesay 1, 10, Oyekunle 25.
Yellow Cards: McMullan.
