U18 Report: Reading 1-3 Saints
Southampton Under-18s claimed a 3-1 win away at Reading in the Under-18 Premier League on Saturday.
Saints were 2-0 ahead at half-time after goals from Calum Anderson and Max Little, and their lead was extended when Jude Daniels scored in the second-half.
Andrew Surman's side were comfortable winners despite Henry Agyekum’s goal for Reading and a late red card for opening goalscorer Anderson.
Early pressure from Reading could have seen them take the lead when Schofield Lonmeni forced goalkeeper Hadley Clark into a good save before Tyler Adjei tapped home, only to be ruled out be the offside flag.
However, Saints grew into the game and managed to take the lead when a low corner was flicked home at close-range by Anderson.
Reading then thought they had levelled midway through the first-half when Clark made another good save to deny Ryan Zie, before the offside flag again denied the hosts on the rebound.
Good chances for Saints to double their lead were then denied by home goalkeeper Joshua Yensu; Lewis Bailey raced through and saw his shot smothered before Marley Parry had his powerful low drive held onto well.
The lead was extended just before half-time though, when Daniels’ cutback was finished excellently by Little who arrived close to the penalty spot.
Into the second-half, Adjei could have halved Reading’s deficit early on when he tried his luck with an acrobatic effort.
Saints soon had another opening of their own, and Daniels duly took it to make it 3-0, collecting Korban McMullan’s through ball before finishing smartly.
Jude Daniels wrapped up the win with Saints' third goal. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
The response from Reading to the latest setback was good, and they found the net on 65 minutes when possession was won in a promising area and Agyekum scored from T’Shay Saint-Louis’s low cross.
The fightback came to nothing though as Saints continued to play with confidence, with both Little and Junior Kuzanga going close to scoring in the latter stages.
Saints saw out their win comfortably despite having Calum Anderson sent off late on, which meant they ended the contest with 10 players.
The youngsters are in action again in their busy end of season schedule on Tuesday 21st April when they travel away to face West Bromwich Albion in the Under-18 Premier League, with kick off at 3pm.
Reading: Yensu, Zie, Cliff, Coffey (Doy 69'), Neptune, Irish (c), Lonmeni (S. Omoregie 79'), Beacroft (Lewis 45'), L. Omoregie (Agyekum 45'), Adjei, Saint-Louis.
Subs not used: Rose.
Goals: Agyekun (65').
Yellow cards: Lonmeni, Cliff.
Saints: Clark, Vallance (Sainsbury 45'), Day, Anderson, Robinson (Sewell 73'), Lovatt (Hawe 63'), Parry (Kift 45'), McMullan (c), Daniels, Bailey (Kuzanga 63'), Little.
Subs not used: N/A
Goals: Anderson (17'), Little 44'), Daniels (57')
Yellow cards: Hawe, McMullan, Kuzanga.
Red cards: Anderson.
