U18 Report: Saints 0-3 Spurs
Southampton Under-18s battled hard against Spurs on Saturday but ultimately fell to a 3-0 defeat at Staplewood despite their efforts.
A competitive opening to the game saw Spurs have the first effort on goal. Rio Kyerematen squeezed his way into the area and drove a firm shot towards the far corner, but Matt Hall was equal to it and turned away to safety.
The visitors went close on another two occasions midway through the first-half as Roshaun Mathurin stung the palms of Hall again and then Michael Craig could not turn home a header across goal.
Saints then had their first meaningful attack of the game and forced a corner but Will Tizzard could not direct his header on target from the resulting delivery.
After controlling possession for long periods though, Spurs grabbed the lead on 26 minutes as winger Yago Alonso wriggled his way through before finding the far corner expertly across goal.
Despite the setback, Saints had been holding their shape well and were quick to spring on the counter when the ball was won back.
One venture forward saw striker Luke Pearce – fresh from a double against Arsenal in midweek – work an opportunity for himself inside the box but he could only poke a tough chance over the bar on the stretch.
Into the second-half, Spurs looked to double their advantage early on. Striker Mathurin twice had opportunities but blazed his first effort well over before having another well blocked by a Saints body.
The visitors would eventually find a second though when Romaine Mundle finished smartly after being slid through on 71 minutes.
Saints battled for much of the remainder of the match and tried to create something of their own but Spurs saw out their win in a professional manner and managed to add a third goal to the scoreline when Michael Craig side-footed home late on.
Saints are back in action next weekend when they travel to face Norwich City away from home.
