U18 Report: Saints 3-0 Birmingham

Andrew Surman's side maintained their impressive end of season form until the final day, as they emerged 3-0 winners over the Blues thanks to a Jude Daniels brace and a header from Lewis Day.

Saints' win ensured they finished the campaign five games unbeaten, as they confirmed a seventh place finish in the league.

At Staplewood on the final day, it was the visitors who actually came close to the opening goal, when some well-worked play at the byline led to a shot from Connor Reilly that came off the crossbar.

Saints soon signalled their intent though, when Fabio Sainsbury delivered a wicked cross that was flashed wide by the head of Daniels from close range.

Daniels wasn't to be denied with his next chance, however, as the opener arrived moments later when Sainsbury won the ball high and this time cut the ball back on the floor for Saints' striker to curl home with confident technique.

Jude Daniels kept up his scoring form. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)

Birmingham posed little threat for the rest of the half as Saints came out in search of a second goal after the break; Max Little fired a testing low shot from range, before Lewis Bailey blazed a shot over on the stretch from inside the area.

At the other end, Dylan Moody was alert to rush out of goal and deny Juran McKayle's speculative lob when he was played through one-on-one, before Saints finally extended their lead just after the hour mark.

A pre-planned corner routine saw Korban McMullan whip an inswinging ball towards the far post, where center-back Day was unmarked to powerfully plant a header into the back of the net.

Two quickly became three and put the result beyond doubt for Saints with just over 20 minutes to play, as Daniels sealed his brace from virtually on the line - McMullan beat his man in midfield and slid a pass out to Bailey on the right wing, who delivered in a pin-point low cross for his attacking partner to slide in and convert from close range.

Saints defended their clean sheet well when called upon, and could have extended their lead as Bailey struck the crossbar after cleverly cutting inside the area to beat his defender.

The result ended in a comfortable three-goal victory though for Andrew Surman's side, who can look back at the campaign in a positive light.

Saints: Moody, Day, Vallance, Anderson (Sewell 62'), Kift (Hawe 45'), Lovatt (Martin 70'), McMullan, Sainsbury, Little (Bariami 62'), Danieks, Kuzanga (Bailey 45').

Goals: Daniels (25', 69'), Day (64')

Yellow cards: Vallance.

Birmingham City: Smith, McKayle, Pearsall, Ranson, Elmansuri, Drammeh, Hawkeswood, Jones, Greer, Reilly (Nunes-Wickham 65'), Degtiarev.

Subs not used: Birmingham, Ahmadian, Batchelor, Ziolkowski.

Yellow cards: Degtiarev.