U21 Report: Saints 2-3 Norwich
Southampton Under-21s fell to a 3-2 defeat against Norwich City in Premier League 2 on Friday evening.
A strong first half from Saints earned them a 2-0 lead after goals Princewill Ehibhatiomhan and Jay Robinson.
However, a second half turnaround from Norwich saw them take all three points away from the South Coast after Errol Mundle-Smith’s double and a third from Finley Welch.
Simon Rusk's side were bolstered with a handful of first team players gaining extra minutes, as Joe Lumley, Juan Larios, Ronnie Edwards, Ryan Manning, and Sam Amo-Ameyaw all started the game.
Ryan Manning was one of five first team players involved. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)
The opening stages proved to be tight, with both sides looking to gain control; Saints’ passing had a good pace to it though as they looked to work some early opportunities.
Midfielder Noel Buck had the first chance when a cross from the right was cut back towards his late run into the penalty area, but he couldn’t divert his first time strike on target.
Saints then went closer when Ryan Manning strode onto a loose ball in midfield and struck a firm effort narrowly over the bar from 25 yards.
Ehibhatiomhan’s first sight on goal came after he raced in behind onto a direct pass to force a good save from Caleb Ansen, before good play from Jay Robinson saw his low effort diverted away as Sam Amo-Ameyaw’s follow up was blocked.
After that strong spell, the deadlock was broken when a corner was knocked down by Will Armitage for Ehibhatiomhan, who was on hand to turn home from close range.
It was then two Robinson benefitted from chasing down a ball that should have been dealt with by Ansen, but the Norwich goalkeeper missed his clearance and presented a simple finish into an empty net.
Ehibhatiomhan (#9) and Robinson (#11) were on target.
Into the second half, Norwich looked to find a way back into the game early and their first meaningful chance came from Brandon Forbes' shot that was well blocked by Armitage.
However, the visitors did half the deficit just after the hour mark when Welch was taken down in the area and Mundle-Smith calmly rolled the ball home from the penalty spot.
Buouyed by their goal, the Canaries rallied further and completed the turnaround with two goals in the space of two second half minutes.
Mundle-Smith grabbed his second of the game when he tucked a low shot in, before Welch’s arrowed strike across goal found the far corner to flip the game on its head.
Saints looked for a response in the latter stages but couldn't find it, with Baylee Dipepa’s blocked header and Ryan Manning’s low, narrowly off target shot the closest they came to an equaliser.
The Under-21s will look to bounce back on Friday 27th September when they travel to West Bromwich Albion in Premier League 2, with kick off set for 7pm.
Saints: Lumley, Abu, Larios (Lett 62), Armitage, Edwards, Manning, Amo-Ameyaw, Buck (Charles 61), Ehibhatiomhan (MacLeod 72), O'Brien-Whitmarsh (c), Robinson (Dipepa 45).
Subs not used: Mohamed.
Goals: Ehibhatiomhan 32, Robinson 36.
Yellow Cards: O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Abu, Dipepa, MacLeod.
Norwich: Ansen, Tomkinson, Mahovo, Hills (Wilson 72), Warner (c), Gee (Ogwuru 62), Mundle-Smith, Djedje, Welch, Forbes (A. Manning 62), Bridge.
Subs not used: Finch.
Goals: Mundle-Smith 61, 77, Welch 79.
Yellow Cards: Djedje, Mundle-Smith, Gee, Mahovo, Ansen.
