U18 Report: Saints 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal were ahead after 10 minutes through Kamarni Ryan, but Nick Oyekunle equalised shortly after.

The visitors went ahead again early in the second half when Dan Casey found the net but a deserved point was salvaged by Saints when Jayden Moore headed in from a late corner.

The Gunners took an early lead and it was thanks to a stunning strike from Ryan, who let fly and found the top corner from around 25 yards out.

However, Saints responded well and deservedly got their equaliser. A well worked move saw Barnaby Williams snap a positive forward pass through to Oyekunle, who pushed past his marker well before finishing tidily across goal.

Nick Oyekunle celebrates his goal. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)

It had been a tight first half that saw both teams tussling for control and another good move from Saints almost saw them claim the lead shortly before half time.

Play progressed from defence, through midfield and to Jay Robinson on the left, who cut inside and sent a stunning effort goalwards, but the ball was blocked before reaching the target.

Saints goalkeeper Henry Upstell also had to be alert to stop Arsenal pushing ahead again when substitute Jakai Bascoe-Fisher fired low across goal, getting down low to prevent the ball finding the far corner of the net.

Despite the strong first half showing from Saints, it was Arsenal who grabbed their second goal early in the second period when a cross from the right found its way to Casey in the box, who smartly placed the ball in from near the penalty spot.

Saints looked to get back on level terms quickly and Oyekunle saw a fierce effort from a narrow angle well tipped over by visiting goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo.

The game had started to open up a bit and openings were now coming regularly at both ends as Arsenal striker Daniel Oyetunde saw a shot easily saved by Upstell.

At the other end, Aston Daley placed straight at Arsenal’s Okonkwo after receiving a cutback to a promising position.

Into the last 15 minutes, Saints started to build some momentum and their pressure saw them produce two good chances for substitute Josh Pitts.

Pitts’ header from a left-sided cross was turned wide and then he was denied by an excellent block after a loose ball had fallen to him from the resulting corner.

Corner deliveries in particular were causing havoc and it was another that saw Saints draw level on 86 minutes when Moore got the decisive touch to nestle the ball in the Arsenal net.

Jayden Moore (L) scored the late leveller.

The hosts ended much of the better of the play in the latter stages and could have won the game when Oyekunle was denied from close range.

Saints are in action again on Saturday 24th February when they travel away to face West Ham United in the Under-18 Premier League, with kick-off set for 11:30am.

Saints: Upstell, Okonola-Matthews, Dobson-Ventura (c), Moore, Fry (Sesay 72), Williams, Trialist (Sillah Dibaga 59), Rohart-Brown, Oyekunle, Daley (Martin 72), Robinson (Pitts 67).

Subs not used: Richardson.

Goals: Oyekunle 20, Moore 86.

Arsenal: Okonkwo, John (Bascoe-Fisher 36), Brown, Small, Sweet, Akolire, Casey (Copley 70), Dudziak (c), Oyetunde (Annous 82), Ryan, Ismail (Ibrahim 45).

Subs not used: Cooper.

Goals: Ryan 10, Casey 47.