U21 Report: Weymouth 5-0 Saints
Southampton's Under-21s fell to a 5-0 away defeat at the hands of National League South side Weymouth on Tuesday evening.
An opener from Tom Bearwish and a brace from Brandon Goodship saw the hosts hold a 3-0 lead at half-time.
Two further strikes in the second-half from Joel Rollinson and Norman Wabo completed the scoring on the night.
Good chances for Thierry Small and Dom Ballard saw Saints come close to getting on the scoresheet but it was Weymouth who ran out as worthy winners.
Jem Hewlett was forced into some good work in the opening stages when he got back on his own goalline to clear a goal-bound shot from Weymouth striker Brandon Goodship.
It proved to be a testing first 15 for Saints as their National League South opponents pushed them back.
More superb work at the back – this time from Matt Carson, who slid in with a last-ditch block – prevented home striker Dan Roberts from having a free shot at goal inside the area.
However, the hosts did make the pressure tell and took the lead on 19 minutes when midfielder Tom Bearwish found the net.
Saints looked for a swift response and Alex Stepien-Iwumene had an opportunity as a corner fell to him in the box, but he couldn’t find the required angle to test Weymouth goalkeeper Gerard Benfield.
After seeing out the tough opening to the evening, Saints started to enjoy some good spells of possession and looked to gain confidence as a result.
An excellent, driving run from Thierry Small on the left saw him beat multiple challenges and work a shooting opportunity for himself, but his strike flew well over the bar as he entered the area.
Against the run of play, Weymouth then doubled their lead after a swift breakaway. First goalscorer Dan Roberts sent in a perfect cross from the left and his strike-partner Brandon Goodship hammered home on the volley.
It was then 3-0 shortly before half-time as Weymouth stole the ball from Saints and striker Goodship was on hand again to turn home after being fed the ball across goal.
Into the second-half, Saints looked to start brightly in an bid to reduce their deficit, having made seven changes at the break.
Substitute Dom Ballard met Thierry Small’s cross early in the second period and flicked a shot towards the bottom corner, but home goalkeeper Gerard Benfield made a good stop to turn the ball away from danger.
Weymouth did manage to stretch their lead in the 72nd minute when Joel Rollinson stole the ball in a promising position and finished well into the bottom corner of the net.
It was then 5-0 nine minutes later when substitute Norman Wabo controlled a cross and fired home at the near post.
A free-kick in a good position offered Saints a chance for a consolation late on but Derrick Abu could not keep his effort beneath the crossbar.
Saints are in action again on Saturday 29th July when they travel to take on Torquay United away from home, with kick-off at 3pm at Plainmoor.
Weymouth: N/A
Goals: Bearwish 19, Goodship 27 44, Rollinson 72, Wabo 81.
Saints first half: McNamara, Davis, Hewlett, Bailey, Carson, Squires, Edwards, Stepien-Iwumene, Pearce, Finnigan, Small.
Saints second half: Mohamed, Abu, Payne, Simeu, Lett, Bragg, Olaigbe, Ballard, Dibling, Andrews, Robinson.
