U23 Report: Blackburn 2-2 Saints

By SFC Media time Fri 14 Feb Blackburn v Saints
Photo by Isabelle Field | Dan N'Lundulu
Fri 14 Feb 7PM
Premier League 2 - Division 1
Blackburn
2
Southampton
2
Paton [31'] Vale [85']
goal
Ferry [63'] N'Lundulu [67']
Saadi (74') Boyomos (90+4')
yellow card
Olufunwa (57') Jankewitz (82') Ledwidge (83')
Referee: Peter Gibbons | Venue: Lancashire County FA | Attendance: 145

Southampton's youngsters earned a point in PL2, with only a late Blackburn Rovers penalty denying all three points.

Rovers took the lead midway through the first half, Ben Paton unleashing an outstanding strike from range which left Saints keeper Jack Bycroft with no chance.

Following the break Dave Horseman’s side responded; Kazeem Olaigbe squaring a ball which reached Will Ferry at the back post, who fired home an equaliser after 64 minutes.

Three minutes later Dan N’Lundulu gave Saints the lead, coverting Pascal Kpomomouh’s rebounded effort to make it 2-1.

But Southampton were denied all three points with five minutes to go, as Jack Vale converted from the spot.

Saints started the game with real intent; pressing their PL2 opponents and looking to break away with pace when the opportunities opened up.

N’Lundulu and Hansen both found pockets of space during the early stages with Blackburn pegged back.

The hosts did however have the first real chance of the game as Luke Brennan rocketed the post just shy of the 15-minute mark.

20200214 Blackburn v Southampton
Kazeem Olaigbe bursting down the wing.

As the half wore on the pattern of the game rarely changed; Ferry hit an effort just wide of the far post after cutting in from the left flank, whilst Rovers still looked dangerous on the counter.

Saints’ pressing game proved difficult for Blackburn to break down and in the 31st minute it took a moment of brilliance for the opener.

Rovers’ Paton picked up the ball just inside the Saints half, running with it before hitting an ambitious effort which found Bycroft’s top corner.

Saints started the second half just as they did the first; storming out of the blocks and putting Rovers on the back foot.

Hansen again involved just after the break, working Blackburn keeper Joe Hilton with a fierce effort after tucking in from the left flank.

20200214 Blackburn v Southampton
Kornelius Hansen had opportunities either side of the break.

Ferry then had an opportunity five minutes later, whipping in a dangerous cross from the left wing which N’Lundulu was inches away from meeting through the middle.

Hansen again looked lively breaking through the middle of the park, but his eventual shot was well blocked after a mazy run.

Soon Saints got their reward, after 64 minutes a mazy run from Olaigbe was dummied by N’Lundulu in the box before meeting Ferry at the back post.

The winger took his time before lashing an effort into the top corner to give the visitors a deserved equalier.

It only took three minutes for Horseman’s side to grab a second, Pascal Kpohomouh hitting an effort from a tight angle which Hilton could only palm into the path of N’Lundulu.

The Saints striker made no mistake, chipping the goalkeeper and giving the visitors the lead with twenty minutes to go.

20200214 Blackburn v Southampton
Saints celebrate following Dan N'Lundulu's goal.

Rovers pushed forward in numbers following Saints’ second, but the visitors’ defence continued to stand strong.

Many felt Bycroft made a vital save after 85 minutes to deny Blackburn once again, only for referee Perter Gibbons to point to the spot.

Jack Vale stepped up and made no mistake in what was a tough goal to take for Southampton’s youngsters after a spirited second half performance.

The remainder of the game was contested in midfield, with both sides understandly eager to grab a winner.

But it was to no avail as the points were shared, meaning Saints now turn their attentions to the Hampshire Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday; hosting Havant & Waterlooville at AFC Totton’s Snows Stadium.

Related

Hampshire Senior Cup action at Snows Stadium
chevron right
Blackburn

Head to Head Stats

Southampton
  • Possession (%)
    56
    comparison angle
    44
  • Shots
    15
    comparison angle
    19
  • Shots on target
    7
    comparison angle
    9
  • Corners
    4
    comparison angle
    7
  • Passes Complete
    351
    comparison angle
    279

Blackburn Rovers PL2

1
Joe Hilton (GK)
5
Louie John Annesley
replace Flavien-Enzo Boyomos (63′) yellow card
6
Charlie Mulgrew
2
Dan Pike
3
Lewis Thompson
11
Luke Brennan
replace Jalil Saadi (68′) yellow card
4
Ben Paton goal
8
Jared Harlock
10
Stefan Mols (C)
7
D'Margio Wright-Phillips
replace Zak Gilsenan (76′)
9
Jack Vale goal
15
Zak Gilsenan
16
Sam Durrant
12
Jalil Saadi
14
Flavien-Enzo Boyomos
13
Jordan Eastham

Southampton PL2

1
Jack Bycroft (GK)
5
Aaron O'Driscoll (C)
2
Pascal Kpohomouh
3
Kameron Ledwidge yellow card
6
Oludare Olufunwa yellow card
11
Will Ferry goal
4
Kgagelo Chauke
7
Kazeem Olaigbe
8
Alexandre Jankewitz yellow card
10
Kornelius Hansen
replace Nathan Tella (60′)
9
Daniel N'Lundulu goal
replace Caleb Watts (80′)
12
Sam Bailey
13
Tommy Scott
14
Nathan Tella
16
Seamas Keogh
15
Caleb Watts
U23 Highlights: Blackburn 2-2 Saints video03:07
video
Blackburn v Saints

U23 Highlights: Blackburn 2-2 Saints

Full highlights from the PL2 draw at Blackburn.

photo U23 Gallery: Blackburn 2-2 Saints Horseman: We were outstanding at times Video: Introducing RoweEdition ahead of ePL Grand Finals video02:50
video
ePremier League

Video: Introducing RoweEdition ahead of ePL Grand Finals

Saints' newest ePL player Tyreece Rowe looks towards Grand Finals debut

Ten teams join Saints' Future of Football Challenge Kamari Doyle earns first England U18s call-up