U18 Report: West Brom 3-2 Saints
Southampton Under-18s fell to a 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday afternoon in the Under-18 Premier League.
Saints went 2-0 ahead after two first half goals – an own goal from Noah Dupont and a calm finish from Princewill Ehibhatiomhan.
However, the second-half turnaround for the hosts was completed after two Cole Deeming penalties and a late winner from Cheick Kone
Saint almost took an early lead when Aston Daley strode onto a loose ball in the penalty are and side-footed narrowly wide.
It was a competitive contest as both sides looked for the opening goal, and West Brom went close on the half hour mark when Deeming struck a powerful effort from range that saw Henry Upstell make a smart save.
As Saints went up the other end though, they took the lead with an incisive move through midfield to the left wing where Moses Sesay fired a low cross across goal that was diverted into the net by West Brom defender Dupont.
It was then 2-0 to Saints shortly before half time, rounding out a first half which they had enjoyed the best of the play.
After being fouled and earning an advantage, Nick Oyekunle forced the ball to Ehibhatiomhan, who was positioned well and able to drive inside the box and finish across goal into the bottom corner.
Ehibhatiomhan added Saints' second. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
Early in the second half, West Brom were given a lifeline in the game when they were awarded a penalty as Sesay was deemed to trip his man in the area, allowing Deeming to calmly dispatch the spot-kick.
Sesay then looked to make amends for his misjudgement at the other end, but his firm strike from 25 yards out was comfortably held by Louis Brady.
Good attacks for Saints didn't produce anything before West Brom had the chance to equalise when they were awarded another penalty on 73 minutes, which Deeming again converted with little fuss.
The turnaround for the hosts was completed when Kone headed in from a corner, after getting the first touch ahead of Saints goalkeeper Henry Upstell.
Saints had a late opportunity to equalise when Josh Pitts and Oyekunle were denied by a superb double save from home goalkeeper Brady.
Saints are in action again on Saturday 23rd April when they host Brighton and Hove Albion at Staplewood in the Under-18 Premier League, with kick-off set for 11am.
West Brom: Brady, Kirton (Sule 61), Sears (Kone 63), Mandey, Trialist A (Morrish 84), Dupont, Walker (Nelson 61), Deeming, Chimziri, Beedie (Humphries 62), Onyemachi.
Subs not used: N/A.
Goals: Deeming 46' (pen), 73' (pen), Kone 78'.
Saints: Upstell, Trialist B, Moore, Fry, Sesay, Williams (c), Trialist A, Daley (Martin 76), Pitts, Oyekunle, Ehibhatiomhan.
Subs not used: Trialist C, Myers, Dobson-Ventura, Sheaf.
Goals: Dupont (own-goal) 28, Ehibhatiomhan 45+1.
Yellow Cards: Moore.
