U21 Report: Saints 0-2 Valencia

A well-battled first half ended goalless, but Valencia scored twice in quick succession through Ismael Santana and Declan Frith to lead by two at the hour mark.

Cam Bragg received a late, contentious red card as Saints couldn’t find their way back into the game.

Saints were boosted by the return of Under-17 World Cup trio Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Tyler Dibling, and Jayden Meghoma who slotted back into the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Nick Oyekunle and 15-year-old duo Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez and Harrison Miles earned their first call-ups to the Under-21s squad.

Saints' line up against Valencia (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)

Amo-Ameyaw had the opening chance of the evening as he flashed a low shot across goal and narrowly wide, his first glimpse of class in a night where he was heavily involved.

Valencia responded with an early attempt of their own when Alexander Gurendal hit the side netting, before José Luis Peréz just failed to connect with a flicked header inside the area.

Saints’ tricky wide man was involved again in the game’s next clear chance; Amo-Ameyaw beat his man on the right to deliver a cross that only needed a touch to be converted.

Princewill Ehibhatiomhan then blazed over the bar from just inside the area before Barnaby Williams had a well-struck half volley pushed away as Saints were knocking on the door. 

Dibling was next to go close with a shot that was held at the second attempt by goalkeeper David Vassilev after a flowing counter attack that involved youngsters Williams and Jay Robinson.

There was nothing to separate the two sides at the break, as Saints dominated the goal scoring opportunities without finding a finish.

Saints couldn't make their first half pressure tell.

In the second half, Valencia upped their game going forward and Josh Jeffries was forced into his first save of the night to push away a deflected effort from Martín Tejón that was goalbound.

The visitors eventually broke the deadlock, and did so twice in the space of five minutes to ultimately seal their victory.

After great play down the right from Declan Frith, Ismael Santana opened the scoring from inside the area with a deflected shot that looped agonisingly over Jeffries and into the far corner.

Frith then turned goalscorer himself after being found in space on the right as he drilled his shot into the bottom corner.

From then on, chances became minimal as frustrations rose for both sides and Cameron Bragg was given his marching orders for a dubious second yellow card in the final five minutes.

Under-21s debuts were handed to NIck Oyekunle and Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez - 16 and 15-years-old respectively - but the night ended in disappointment with defeat for Saints.

Saints: Jeffries, Abu, Armitage, Awe, Meghoma, Bragg (captain), Amo-Ameyaw, Williams, Ehibhatiomhan (Oyekunle 79), Dibling, Robinson (Gomes Rodriguez 79).

Subs not used: Mohamed, Moore, Davis, Lett, Miles.

Yellow Cards: Ehibhatiomhan 63, Bragg 81, Williams 90+3, Dibling 90+4.

Red Cards: Bragg 85.

Valencia: Vassilev, Muñoz (captain) (Moreno 76), Córdoba, Panach, Santana (Jesús Santiago 76), Navarro, Martín Tejón, García, Frith (Otorbi 62), Gurendal (Monferrer 62), José Luis Peréz (Fadal 82).

Subs not used: Ruiz, Alemán.

Goals: Santana 56, Frith 60.

Yellow Cards: Córdoba 12, Santiago 87.