U21 Report: Saints 2-1 Leeds United

First-half goals from both Harry Gathercole and Aston Daley saw Saints two goals ahead at half-time as a strong end to the first period.

Leeds pressure saw Saints having to defend well after the break and the away side did score late on through a Rhys Chadwick penalty but Saints held on to record a win that sees them secure a home draw in this season’s Premier League 2 playoffs.

The opening 20 minutes of the game proved to be even with both sides searching for control of the game and no clear chances of note.

It took until the 32nd minute for the first shot of the game and it saw Thierry Rohart-Brown stride onto a loose ball outside the Leeds penalty area and force a smart save from goalkeeper Robert Cook.

Saints did break the deadlock with their next attack though.

Their opening goal came from an indirect free-kick in the Leeds box when a pass was handled by Leeds man Cook, giving Harry Gathercole the chance to slam home the resulting set-piece through a crowd of bodies.

It was almost 2-0 on 39 minutes when Gathercole showed good feet to beat two Leeds challenges on the left and set the ball back to Thierry Rohart-Brown who shot narrowly wide.

Adam Lallana’s side did double their advantage on 41 minutes though when Aston Daley stroked home into the net after a deflected shot had fallen nicely to him 12 yards out.

2-0 is how it stayed until half-time as Saints ended the first period well on top.

Harry Gathercole gave Saints the lead on the 35-minute mark.

Into the second half, both sides knew the next goal was going to be crucial in deciding the game.

Saints had to see off some Leeds pressure and remained solid as the visitors searched for a way back into the contest.

Rhys Chadwick’s shot almost snuck inside the near post after the winger had cut in from the left but Hugo Fisher held onto the ball well.

As the game opened up in the latter stages, Saints went close to scoring a third goal when a smart move across the edge of the Leeds box saw Harry Gathercole force a good low save.

Jayden Moore also forced Leeds goalkeeper Cook into action in the last 10 minutes when his header from a Thierry Rohart-Brown corner was tipped over the bar.

Leeds were awarded a late penalty in stoppage-time and Rhys Chadwick converted to half the visitors’ deficit but Saints held on to confirm their win and claim the three points on offer.

Saints are next in action on Sunday 12th April when they face Leeds United in Premier League 2, with kick off at The bet365 Stadium set for 1pm.

Saints: Fisher, Moore, Okunola, Sesay, Rohart-Brown, Daley, Gathercole, Merry, O'Brien-Whitmarsh (Nutter 26'), Kayi Sanda, Kakay (Adjei-Afriyie 66').

Subs not used: Tabares, McMullan, Whittaker.

Yellow cards:Kakay, Okunola.

Goals:Gathercole35', Daley 41’.

Leeds United: Cook, Dudley, Lienou (Philpott 41'), Pickles, Howard (Whitehead 73'), Matykiewicz, Cresswell, Crew, Mills, Ibrovic-Fletcher (Njinko 61'), Chadwick.

Subs not used: Kenyon, Alker.

Goals: Chadwick 90+2'.

Yellow cards: Howard, Mills, Matykiewicz.