U18 Report: Tottenham 4-1 Saints
Southampton Under-18s were beaten 4-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in the Under-18 Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
A first-half double from Reiss Elliot-Parris and a single strike for Armend Muslika put Spurs 3-0 ahead, but Saints responded through Walter Nutter’s goal just before half-time.
The second half proved tighter as Saints worked for a way back into the game, but Spurs confirmed their victory with a fourth goal through Miracle Adewole.
The hosts had the first chance of the game in just the second minute, when Joel Philbert’s driving run saw him send a cross in to Elliot-Parris, but the striker’s effort flew well over the bar.
Saints then went closer to breaking the deadlock when forward Lewis Bailey broke in behind the defence and rounded goalkeeper Dylan Thompson, but an excellent block on the line prevented the recent January arrival from scoring.
Andrew Surman’s side had started the game in positive fashion but there was little they could do about the opening Spurs goal that arrived on 16 minutes.
The hosts won possession in their own half and, as the ball was collected by Elliot-Parris, he lofted the ball over Saints goalkeeper George Moloney and into the net from inside the centre circle.
Elliot-Parris almost had his second shortly after when he intercepted a pass close to the Saints goal, but an excellent block from Calum Anderson kept it at 1-0.
However, just before the half hour mark, Spurs did find a second goal when Muslika advanced to the edge of the area and placed a right-footed effort into the far corner of the net.
The home side ended the second half confidently and found a third goal on 39 minute when opening scorer Elliott-Parris was alive to seize on a loose ball, and scored on the rebound after an initial strong save from Moloney.
Importantly for Saints, they kept pushing for a response and found it on the stroke of half-time when a corner from Nutter evaded everyone and flew straight in at the near post.
If the first half had been a lively affair, the start of the second half was slower paced as Spurs looked to maintain their position and Saints looked to settle back into the game.
The next goal in the contest was undoubtedly going to be crucial though, and it was the hosts who found the net once more when substitute Adewole raced through on the right and fired home across goal to make it 4-1.
Late chances for the home side could have seen them extend their advantage late on but strong saves from Moloney kept out both Ronny Moncur and Joel Philbert.
Saints are in action again on Saturday 21st March when they host Aston Villa in the Under-18 Premier League, with kick off at Staplewood set for 12pm.
Tottenham: Thompson, Sandiford, Byrne, Tingey, Thomas, Hall (c) (Moncur 64'), Boast (Beggs 64'), Feeney, Elliot-Parris (Adewole 68'), Muslika (Hanson 70'), Philbert.
Subs: Doran.
Goals: Elliot-Parris (16', 39'), Muslika (29'), Adewole (69').
Yellow cards: Boast, Feeney.
Saints: Moloney, Sainsbury (Wells 45'), Vallance, Anderson, Sewell (Robinson 45'), Nutter (Lovatt 45'), Little, McMullan (c), Daniels, Bailey (Newman 77'), Umeh (Parry 58').
Subs: N/A.
Goals: Nutter (45+3')
Yellow cards: Umeh, Sewell.
