U18 Report: Saints 3-6 Spurs
Southampton Under-18s fell to a 6-3 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the Under-18s Premier League on Friday.
Saints took an early lead through Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, who netted a brace, and also led 3-2 after an own goal early in the second half.
However, a spell of four goals in 12 second half minutes won the game for Spurs, with forward Mikey Moore netting a hat-trick on the day.
Saints started the game brightly and took the lead just five minutes in when Will Merry broke away on the left and produced a low cross that Ehibhatiomhan turned home from close range.
Spurs looked to respond quickly and almost equalised when Yusuf Akhamrich took aim after lining up his marker but he could only drag his shot wide of the far post.
However, after Roman Egan-Riley had headed over from a corner, Spurs did equalise on 10 minutes when striker Oliver Orow smashed home a shot high into the net that left Henry Upstell with no chance in the Saints goal.
Ehibhatiomhan (C) is congratulated after scoring the opener. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
Midway through the first half, Saints had an opportunity with a free kick from a promising position but Nick Oyekunle curled his effort over the crossbar.
It had been a fairly open game and Spurs took advantage of that in their next attack when Moore netted an excellent solo goal, weaving through challenges and sliding a low shot into the net.
Good character was shown from Saints straight away though when Aston Daley hit the post from a free kick on the edge of the area, that led to Ehibhatiomhan capitalisting on a poor clearance to side-foot in from six yards.
With half-time approaching, Merry almost gave the hosts the lead once again when he was quickest onto a through ball, but he couldn’t quite squeeze his strike past goalkeeper Carey Bloedorn who turned wide.
The last chance of the first period went to Spurs as Leo Black pushed across the 18 yard line and fired a firm shot that flashed wide.
Into the second half, Daley had the first big opening when he was slid through with just Bloedorn to beat, but his effort was well smothered by the visiting goalkeeper.
After their strong showing following the restart, Saints continued to press and duly got their reward on 58 minutes.
Oyekunle won possession from the defence and showed strength to push past a challenge into a good position before his cutback was turned into the net by a retreating Spurs body.
Oyekunle caused Saints' third goal.
As had been the case throughout the game, another twist was to come and Spurs produced a rapid and brutal spell of finishing to make it 6-3 within 12 minutes of going behind.
Moore found the net twice with a low strike than found the net via the far post, and then a well-placed curling effort that nestled in the far corner to complete his hat-trick.
Midfielder Leo Black then fired home a stunning effort from long range for the visitors’ fifth, and substitute Callum Olusesi added his name to the scoresheet on 70 minutes.
Saints did look for a way back into the contest late on and strong efforts from Daley and Merry saw both players unfortunate not to score, with their defeat confirmed by Spurs' ruthless flurry of goals
Saints: Upstell, Myers (Okonola-Matthews), Dobson-Ventura (c), Fry, Sheaf (Williams), Sesay, Sillah Dibaga (Pitts), Oyekunle, Ehibhatiomhan (Martin), Daley, Merry.
Subs not used: Mohamed.
Goals: Ehibhatiomhan 5, 29, Own goal 58.
Tottenham Hotspur: Bloedorn, Egan-Riley, King (Logan), Arganese-McDermott (Chaplin), Adelusi, Willhoft-King (Adewole), Morgan, Black, Orow, Moore (Lehane), Akhamrich (Olusesi).
Subs not used: N/A.
Goals: Orow 15, Moore 28, 62, 65, Black 66, Olusesi 70.
