U18 Report: Saints 2-2 Newcastle

The Magpies took an early lead through Mackenzie Heaney's free kick at Staplewood, but two goals in two minutes saw Southampton fight back and take a well-deserved lead into the break.

They were then pegged back, however, early in the second half through Kellano Watts’ low strike which ultimately earned the visitors a share of the points. 

Despite making the better start and almost taking the lead through a Will Smallbone’s rasping effort, Saints were undone on 11 minutes by a free kick from the visitors.

Having been fouled, Newcastle captain Heaney then curled a 25-yard effort over the wall and under Adam Parkes to give the visitors an early lead.

Despite going behind, Saints continued to create chances and bombarded the Newcastle goal; coming close through a Smallbone drive, Slattery header and sharp Michael Obafemi strike.

The leveller eventually came just seven minutes from half time, as Slattery converted from the spot after Magpies captain Heaney’s late tackle was penalised by referee Mark Lee.

This sparked a quick turnaround for Craig Fleming’s men, as two minutes later they had the ball in the net once more. A fine individual run resulted in Trialist rifling into the roof of the net to give Saints the advantage at the interval.

Soon after the restart Slattery almost made it three. The midfielder was teed up on the edge of the area by Obafemi, but slammed his effort wide of the post.

On 48 minutes Newcastle found an equaliser. Capitalising on a mistake in the middle of the pitch, Callum Smith played in Watts who then slotted under Parkes to bring the scores level.

Fleming made two changes in the opening of the second half, as Harlem Hale was introduced out wide and Harry Hamblin replaced the injured Ben Rowthorn.

Hamblin almost reinstated the lead shortly after entering the fray. Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area he fired a left-footed volley goalwards, but it drifted narrowly wide of the post.

Jonathan Afolabi was then introduced in the final five minutes in favour of Obafemi up top, as Saints pressed for a third and match-winner.

The striker then had his chance to seal a win with the final kick of the game. Smallbone’s long-range effort was parried by Otto Huuhtanen in the Newcastle goal and Afolabi pounched, but he fired his strike over from close range.