U18 Report: Saints 0-2 Brighton

In wet conditions, both sides shared an even opening to the match.

Oliver Wright had to be alert in the Saints goal to turn Cameron Peupion’s low strike around the post before Diamond Edwards forced visiting shot-stopper Fynn Talley to smother a low cross at the opposite end of the pitch.

The hosts continued to grow further into the contest in the opening 15 minutes and twice went close to breaking the deadlock.

Jayden Smith saw his powerful strike well held by Talley before Will Tizzard had a looping header cleared off the line, after he had risen well to connect with a corner.

Despite a strong opening from Saints, it was Brighton who snatched a two-goal lead midway through the first-half.

Todd Miller put his side ahead when he turned home a loose ball from a corner and then Matt Everitt confidently dispatched a penalty to double the lead in the 25th minute.

The home side tried to work their way back into proceedings; striker Sam Bellis was unfortunate to be denied a goal on three separate occasions before the half-time interval.

The second of his efforts was a well-struck free-kick that forced a flying save with the ball seemingly destined for the bottom corner, whilst visiting keeper Talley also denied him twice from open play.

Into the second-half, Saints were again left frustrated in front of goal.

Jayden Smith broke through the Brighton defence and clipped a shot towards the far corner early on, but the fingertips of Talley denied the winger with a tip over the bar.

The hosts continued to push forward in search of a reply to the visitors’ two first-half strikes, but Wright did well to prevent Brighton duo Odel Offiah and Andy Moran adding a third from two quick counter-attacks.

Despite continuing to search for an elusive goal, Saints were ultimately unable to find a way back into the game as Brighton held firm at the back and secured their 2-0 victory.

The young Saints are next in action in two weeks’ time when they travel to face Leicester City, following a short international interlude, on Saturday 17th October, 1pm BST.