U18 Report: Chelsea 3-2 Saints

Josh Pitts opened the scoring for Saints in the first-half and an own goal then doubled their lead before half-time.

It was a controlled performance from Calum McFarlane’s side up until the end of the game when they were stunned by a late Chelsea comeback, with goals from Travis Akomeah, Rio Ngumoha and Somtochukwu Boniface reversing the scoreline.

Saints has the first testing shots of the game and it was Pitts who twice forced good work from Chelsea goalkeeper Luke Campbell – first with a close-range strike at the near post and then with a free-kick from around 25 yards out.

Chelsea’s first attempt came courtesy of Frankie Runham shortly after, when the winger cut into the box from the left and fired wide at the near post.

Saints goalkeeper Dylan Moody then had to be alert to tip over when Chinonso Chibueze snapped a fierce effort towards the roof of the net, after the hosts had won back possession on the edge of the Saints area.

After a good start to he game though, it was Saints who moved into the lead on 18 minutes; Isaac Bailey produced the perfect cross for Pitts to head home unchallenged from the centre of the goal.

Saints led in the first half against Chelsea. (Photos: Hugh Hastings)

A golden opportunity was then wasted on the half hour mark as Saints looked to double their advantage.

Excellent, incisive play saw Will Merry played into a promising position on the right and his low cross found opening goalscorer Pitts, but he dragged his first-time shot wide of the far post.

However, after Chelsea saw chances for Frankie Runham and Donnell McNeilly go begging, Saints did make it 2-0 just before the half-time interval.

Will Merry was the creator again as his low ball into the box found Aston Daley arriving into the box, and Daley’s low shot ricocheted low into the net off of multiple Chelsea bodies.

Early in the second period, Saints had a big opportunity to add a third goal to their tally for the afternoon.

A clever reverse pass from Aston Daley put Isaac Bailey one-on-one with Chelsea goalkeeper Luke Campbell, but the home man did very well to smother the close-range shot.

The visitors then went close again when possession was retained following a corner and Tommy Dobson-Ventura’s placed effort clipped the top of the crossbar before going over.

Chelsea did manage to half their deficit as the contest moved into its last 10 minutes. Home captain Travis Akomeah calmly volleyed home as the loose ball fell to him following a corner.

The game ended very open as one side attacked and the other responded, and further chances came for both teams as a result.

Despite Saints deserving a win based on the strength of their performance, Chelsea grabbed a late equaliser when the ball fell nicely in the penalty area for Rio Ngumoha and he lashed home.

Somtochukwu Boniface’s long-range strike deep in stoppage-time then saw Chelsea claim the win at the death.

Saints return to action after the festive break when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Staplewood on 6th January 2024, with kick-off set for 11:30am.

Chelsea: Campbell, Murray-Campbell, Akomeah (c), Wilson, Boniface, Harrison, Chibuze (Russell-Denny 64), McMahon, Mheuka, McNeilly, Runham (Ngumoha 86).

Subs not used: Crampton, Antwi, Ngumoha, Olagunju, Russell-Denny.

Goals: Akomeah 82, Ngumoha 90+1, Boniface 90+9.

Yellow Cards: Murray-Campbell, Akomeah, McNeilly

Saints: Moody, Okonola-Matthews, Dobson-Ventura (c), Fry (Sewell 88), Sheaf, Sesay, Merry, Daley, Pitts, Bailey (McMullan 78), Ehibhatiomhan (Gathercole 90).

Subs not used: Upstell, Martin.

Goals: Pitts 18, Akomeah (og) 42.