U23 Report: Saints 2-1 Newcastle

With manager Ralph Hasenhüttl keeping an eye on proceedings once again, Radhi Jaïdi's side were equally as impressive as Tuesday night, despite the margin of victory being that bit smaller than the 3-0 registered against West Ham.

Will Smallbone opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second half, and deservedly so, having peppered the Newcastle goalmouth for much of the first period.

Jonathan Afolabi doubled Saints' advantage just after the hour mark, and the hosts appeared to be cruising, before conceding an untimely penalty kick, which was slammed home by visiting forward Callum Roberts.

Both sides had further opportunities to effect the scoreline, but Saints were reluctant to let their lead slip any further, and will be pleased to end the year with another hard-fought three points - lifting them, temporarily at least, into second in the PL2 table.

The hosts certainly began with promise, and enjoyed chances almost from the first whistle. Smallbone, architect turned scorer, was the player who looked most dangerous.

The midfielder crashed a shot from 20 yards off the woodwork in the 23rd minute, as well as leaving stopper Nathan Harker stranded with a long range drive just before the interval, that whisked marginally past the far post.

Patient and purposeful, his breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute, having been well found by Afolabi in the area. He took a touch to settle, before smashing past Harker, and claiming the goal his performance so richly deserved.

Seven minutes later, Saints had a second; this time Nathan Tella was the provider, with a jinxing run down the right that drew Newcastle's backline towards the ball, allowing Afolabi the space he needed centrally to find the bottom corner with a smart first-time finish.

There was time for reply from the visitors, who threatened a comeback after Roberts's 75th minute penalty. Tom O'Connor was adjudged to have been too forceful with substitute Rosarie Longelo inside the box, and the spot-kick was well despatched, sending Harry Lewis the wrong way, but wasn't really followed up with any immediate threat in the remaining minutes. 

Indeed, the hosts can be pleased with how they managed the tie thereafter, knowing that these three points were vital to this season's bid for promotion, and ending what has been a promising year on a real high.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  49

  51
• Shots
  13

  6
• Shots on target
  7

  3
• Corners
  7

  0
• Passes Complete
  284

  302