U21 Report: Saints 2-1 Derby
Southampton’s Under-21s returned to winning ways with a dramatic late goal against Derby County in Premier League 2.
Saints took the lead just after half an hour through Sam Amo-Ameyaw’s driven strike.
Despite a handful of second half chances for Saints to double their lead, Derby equalised through Cruz Allen with just over ten minutes to play.
Luke Pearce’s cut-back was turned in by defender Harry Jeffcott with the final kick of the game to restore Saints’ lead and take all three points
Under-18s defender Jayden Moore made his first PL2 start of the season, as Pearce also returned to the starting line-up after a spell out on loan.
Jayden Moore made his first PL2 start. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)
Saints started the livelier of the two sides, looking to find their first league win since September, and tested Jack Thompson in the Derby goal within the first two minutes.
Princewill Ehibhatiomhan collected the ball on the left wing, cut inside and hit a curling shot that needed to be held by the visiting goalkeeper.
Derby had half-chances of their own as Tony Weston fired over from a Lennon Wheeldon cut back, before he tried his luck again at the near post and was denied by Josh Jeffries.
The best chance of the opening 15 minutes came as Tyler Dibling released Ehibhatiomhan one-on-one in Derby’s half; Saints’ striker took the ball past a stranded Thompson, but was caught in two minds and missed the target with a shot-cum-cross.
Saints were knocking on the door as Cam Bragg fired wide from the edge of the box, before the deadlock was finally broken shortly after the half hour mark.
Dibling moved the ball up the field and found Amo-Ameyaw, who shifted into space just outside the area and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
The slender lead was maintained into the break thanks to an excellent save by Jeffries in first half stoppage time, as he leapt to tip over Allen’s looping, deflected shot.
Amo-Ameyaw strikes the opener.
The visitors almost restored parity within minutes of the restart when Riley Moloney blazed over, after working himself into a shooting position with some neat footwork, but Saints quickly returned to their rhythm.
Josh Lett showed smart awareness to make space in the final third in a move that led to Dibling’s curling attempt rising just over the crossbar.
Saints’ best chance of a second arrived just before the hour in another impressive passage of play; Dibling cleverly flicked the ball into the path of Amo-Ameyaw who leant back as he sent a shot over the bar.
Amo-Ameyaw shot wide ten minutes later after a solo run cutting in from the right wing, with a second goal seemingly approaching.
However, the game’s second goal came from the visitors with just over ten minutes of normal time to play; Allen’s well-struck shot found the bottom corner to level the game.
As the game ticked into seven minutes of stoppage time, both sides spurned great chances to find a late winner.
Dibling’s impressive footwork saw him make space on the edge of the area but fire too high, before Jeffries pulled off another vital stop to keep out Weston’s goalbound strike.
Then, right at the death, Pearce's cut back from the left was turned into his own net by Derby defender Jeffcott to give Saints all three points and a welcome return to winning ways.
Saints: Jeffries, Abu, Armitage, Moore, Meghoma, Bragg (captain), Amo-Ameyaw, Dibling, Pearce, Lett, Ehibhatiomhan (Merry 72).
Subs not used: Mohamed, Davis, Awe, Stepien-Iwumene.
Goals: Amo-Ameyaw 35, Jeffcott (og) 90+7.
Yellow Cards: Amo-Ameyaw 86.
Derby County: Thompson, Moore, Jeffcott, Hawkins, Bartley (captain) (Oguntolu 80), Robinson, Perry, Allen, Wheeldon, Weston, Moloney (Gough 64).
Subs not used: Ridd, Lindsay, McAndrew.
Goals: Allen 79.
Yellow Cards: Jeffcott 31, Moore 52.
