U21 Report: Norwich 1-1 Saints
Southampton Under-21s played out a 1-1 draw with Norwich City in Premier League 2 on Friday afternoon.
Norwich took the lead within the first minute when Elliot Myles swept home from close range.
Saints enjoyed the best spells of the game after this though and, after seeing Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh hit the crossbar in the first half, they found their equaliser in the 51st minute when Thierry Rohart-Brown curled home superbly to confirm a share of the spoils.
It was the hosts who started brightly and, coincidentally like their first team earlier in the week, went ahead in the first minute when a low cross to the front post was smashed home by Myles.
The early goalscorer then went close again shortly after when his firm free kick looked to be heading for the far corner of the net, but Saints goalkeeper Hugo Fisher got across his goal well to tip wide.
Saints soon settled into the contest though and went within inches of equalising when O’Brien-Whitmarsh sent a dipping effort towards the top corner, but he was unfortunate to see the ball cannon off the post and away from danger.
Controlled possession followed for Adam Lallana’s visitors at the Avant Training Centre, with their next shot coming from full-back Hansel Adjei-Afriyie who fired well over the bar from range.
O'Brien-Whitmarsh struck the crossbar in the first half. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
Will Merry was next to go close for Saints when he received a pass inside the box from Nick Oyekunle but saw his poked effort saved comfortably, before Oyekunle found space in the Norwich area from the next attack; Luis Lines smothered the ball before Saints' striker had a chance to shoot.
Since the opening goal, Saints had been the better team and their clearest opening of the first half came on 39 minutes when Aston Daley was played into space in the area, but his left-footed shot towards the far corner flew the wrong side of the far post.
Importantly, Lallana's youngsters returned for the second half in a confident mood and deservedly drew level through a superb goal from half time substitute Rohart-Brown – the midfielder curled home into the top corner after setting his sights from the left side of the penalty area.
The second period proved to be a scrappier affair as both sides searched for a potential winning goal, although chances were at a premium compared to the first half.
Late pressure from Saints saw Norwich penned in their own half, but the visitors were unable to force a second goal and the hosts' only chance of the late stages came when striker Botan Ameen blazed over the bar on the counter.
Taking a point back down south with them, Saints are next in action on Friday 20th February when they host Middlesbrough in Premier League 2 with kick off at Staplewood set for 1pm.
Norwich: Lines, Adelusi, Williams, Wilson (c), Rowland, Bracking, Okwumo (Sealey 63'), Towler (Domeracki 71'), Ameen, Myles, Baumann (Chilvers 85').
Subs: Ansen, Corke.
Goals: Myles (1').
Yellow cards: Bracking, Adelusi.
Saints: Fisher, Adjei-Afriyie (Whittaker 74'), Kayi Sanda (c), Moore, Sesay (Okunola 45'), O'Brien-Whitmarsh (Rohart-Brown 45'), Daley, Kakay (Nutter 84'), Merry, Charles, Oyekunle (Gathercole 45').
Subs: N/A.
Goals: Rohart-Brown (51').
Yellow cards: Adjei-Afriyie, Okunola.
