U18 Report: Saints 2-3 Liverpool

Saints had responded well after Tyler Morton put the visitors ahead in the 29th minute; Michael Saunders and Roland Idowu putting the home side ahead.

But after a passage of constant pressure Liverpool got what they were looking for in the 92nd minute; Owen Beck sliding in at the back post to grab a winner for the visitors.

The opening half an hour of the game was fairly even, Morton and Thomas Hill had efforts well saved by Saints’ Oliver Wright whilst Pascal Kpohomouh fired just over for the hosts.

But it was the visitors who went ahead, Morton waiting at the back post to hit home the first of the afternoon in the 29th minute.

Saints’ response was admirable, less than ten minutes later Saunders cut in from the right flank and fired into the keeper’s near corner, levelling the scores.

After the break it was more of the same from Southampton’s youngsters; Idowu made the most of a defensive slip to drive into the box and thumping the hosts into the lead.

But the lead didn’t last long, with Liverpool pressing they soon got their reward just past the hour mark; Max Woltman nicking possession off of a Saints defender and slotting home the equaliser.

Understandly picking up some momentum after their leveller, the visitors dominated the remaining minutes of the game.

Whilst Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo had an effort well saved by Liverpool debutant keeper Harvey Davies, it remained the hosts’ only real meaningful chance since their second.

Wright was a busy man for Saints, notably saving an effort from Hill in the 66^th minute.

But as admirable as the hosts’ defensive efforts were, the visitors eventually got their third in the dying seconds.

Beck found himself with space at the back post, and his gamble to make the run paid off when he found the ball at his feet with the clock just ticking past the 92^nd minute mark.