U18 Report: Saints 3-1 Leicester

Lewis Bailey’s brace put Saints 2-0 ahead, but Tanashe Manyumba responded late on to give Leicester late hope.

Saints responded well though and Junior Kuzanga’s strike on 82 minutes sealed the win for the hosts at Staplewood.

Saints had the first shot on target of the game when Broghan Sewell’s through pass put Tino Goremusandu in on goal but the left-back’s shot was beaten away by Leicester goalkeeper Leo Stretton.

A set-piece did see Andrew Surman’s hosts break the deadlock on 19 minutes though, when Archie Lovatt’s teasing delivery into a dangerous area was finished by Bailey.

Visiting striker Jake Fletcher then forced Saints shot-stopper Xander Grieves into a comfortable save when his free-kick was directed straight at the goalkeeper.

Saints were looking more dangerous going forward though, and two further chances in quick succession saw them go close to doubling their lead in the first period – Jude Daniels forced a save from outside the box before Bailey’s header was well saved.

It was Leicester who ended the first-half with three good chances of their own as winger Joseph Colangelo-Allen couldn’t take advantage of the promising positions he was played into, before Jake Fletcher hit the post from a narrow angle.

Saints would have been looking for a fast start to the second-half and that is what they got, making it 2-0 on 49 minutes through a penalty.

Fabio Sainsbury was taken down in the penalty area and Bailey stepped up confidently from 12 yards to net his second of the game.

Leicester almost halved the deficit when a flicked header from a corner hit the crossbar, and then Fletcher proved unfortunate to hit the post from the next attack.

However, with 12 minutes remaining, the visitors did find the back of the net when Manyumba flicked home a header from a free-kick delivery.

Saints knew they needed to respond to avoid a nervy finish to the game and they restored their two-goal cushion again just four minutes later.

Max Little broke through the Leicester midfield and advanced towards the box before sliding Kuzanga through, with the forward finishing calmly and side-footing home to confirm the three points for his side.

Saints are in action again on Tuesday 28th April when they host Aston Villa in the Under-18 Premier League, with kick off at Staplewood set for 12.30pm.

Saints: Grieves, Vallance, Day, Sewell (c), Goremusandu (Robinson 60'), Lovatt, Kift (Hawe 45'), Sainsbury, Daniels (Newman 69'), Bailey (Kuzanga 60'), Little.

Subs not used: Kariami.

Goals: Bailey (19', 49'), Kuzanga (82').

Yellow cards: Vallance.

Leicester: Stretton (Hames 75'), Aideed, Jacklin, Manyumba, Dignum, Diallo (c) (Simons 75'), Anugo (Szembell 60'), Lawrence (Corden 60'), Fletcher, Boothe (Turrell 75'), Colangelo-Allen.

Goals: Manyumba (78')

Yellow cards: Colangelo-Allen, Aideed.