Saints lose on penalties in Senior Cup semi

Enzo Robise’s penalty gave Southampton’s youngsters the lead on the stroke of half-time, after Ramello Mitchell was fouled in the box following a darting run.

With the game seeing very few chances Eastleigh grabbed a vital equaliser with 12 minutes to go, centre-back Pierce Bird heading home from a right-sided free-kick to make it 1-1.

The game then went to penalties following the 90 minutes, with Caleb Watts and Pascal Kpohomouh missing for Saints whilst the Spitfires netting all four of their kicks.

Saints fielded a youthful outfit at the Silverlake Stadium, featuring the likes of James Morris, Lucas Defise and Kameron Ledwidge alongside the more regular names of Watts and Kegs Chauke.

The hosts similarly sided with youth for their starting XI; first team experience in Tom Bearwish and Tom Blair mixed amongst members of their youth academy.

Eastleigh had the opening chance of the game after seven minutes; Blair sent through on goal with only Tommy Scott to beat, but the Saints keeper was equal to the low drive.

The save rebounded into the path of Ryan Hill, who’s follow up effort was superbly blocked by the sliding Kpohomouh.

Saints looked to respond; Smales-Braithwaite drilling a free-kick wide before Tyreke Johnson hit his effort into the hands of keeper Ross Flitney.

The visitors then came inches away from the opener at the 20-minute-mark; Smales-Braithwaite involved again forcing Flitney into a save, before the keeper lost possession and saw the ball fall to the feet of Defise.

With the ball destined for the back of the net, the sliding Eastleigh defence got in the way and somehow tipped the effort onto the bar and behind for a corner.

After Eastleigh were forced into a substitution after just 12 minutes, Saints fell victim to the same curse ten minutes later with Smales-Braithwaite replaced by Robise.

The majority of the first half followed suit, with plenty of stoppages taking place as the temperatures dropped.

With chances few and far between Johnson was next to have an effort of note in the 39th minute; connecting to a deep corner with an acrobatic effort which was well blocked just ahead of Flitney.

With five minutes of stoppage time the game appeared to be stuttering towards the interval, before Mitchell burst into the box and was taken down by a trailing Eastleigh leg.

Up stepped substitute Robise, who made no mistake from the spot firing triumphantly into the roof of the net to give Saints the lead.

Eastleigh were the ones who were first to threaten during the second 45; Flitney’s long goal-kick finding Hill who latched onto the ball but could only fire over.

Saints’ first effort fell to Defise, who curled an effort which looked destined for the far corner before Flitney tipped it over.
Watts was next to let fly just past the hour-mark, dragging his effort just wide of the keepers’ left-hand post.

The game turned into an even affair as the second half wore on; both sides enjoying a fair share of the ball but both defences standing firm.

In the 78th minute, it was Eastleigh who were first to break down the barrier; Bird heading home from a Hill free kick to make it 1-1.

The momentum well and truly fell into the hosts’ favour following the equaliser; Bearwish having a go from the edge of the box which was well blocked by Kpohomouh.

With penalties looming Eastleigh had a glorious chance to take the lead in the dying embers; Luke Hooper firing towards goal unmarked which was glaced round the post by a Saints defender.

But it did indeed go to penalties, with Saint’s Kazeem Olaigbe stepping up first in front of the Sherwood end and firing past Flitney.

Hill also made no mistake for the hosts, hitting his effort down the middle with Scott diving to his right.

Next up for Saints was Watts, whose high effort was superbly saved by the veteran Eastleigh goalkeeper and tipped over the bar.

Looking to take advantage up stepped Hooper, who made no mistake meaning the hosts were in front.

Kpohomouh was next up for Saints, dragging his effort wide of the left post with Flitney once again guessing the right way.

Then came Bearwish for Eastleigh, who continued the hosts’ perfect record in the shootout.

Johnson stepped up and sent Flitney the wrong way giving Saints hope, but goal scorer of the equaliser Bird sealed the result for the Spitfires with another well taken penalty.

Next up for Southampton’s B team is the visit of Manchester City to Staplewood Campus in Premier League 2.