U18 Report: Leicester 2-1 Saints
Southampton Under-18s returned to league action but fell to a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City on Saturday.
Saints took the lead in the first half when Jay Robinson latched onto Alfie Prescott’s ball across goal to score from close range.
However, a second half fightback from The Foxes saw goals from Kirsten Otchere and Jake Evans win them the game.
After seeing off some early Leicester pressure, in which the hosts had a goal disallowed for offside, Saints soon pushed forwards and created a first opportunity of their own as Nick Oyekunle saw his shot deflected wide for a corner.
A free-kick strike from Foxes forward Logan Briggs forced Saints goalkeeper Henry Upstell into a good save, diving low to his right to turn the ball away from the bottom corner.
But, after Upstell had once again prevented an opener with another important stop, Saints produced a clinical break to take the lead.
The pace of full-back Prescott saw him run in behind the defence, and his ball across the box was perfect for Robinson to slam home at the back post.
Jay Robinson celebrates his goal. (Photos: Plumb Images/Leicester City)
Another good opportunity almost saw Saints double their lead when Oyekunle found space on the right side of the Leicester area and drilled across goal, but the ball was too far ahead of his onrushing teammates to connect with.
It had been a competitive first half with both sides enjoying decent spells in the ball as Saints held their narrow lead into the half-time break.
Early in the second half, Upstell was forced into more good work to prevent an equaliser when a stinging first-time volley from Reece Evans was palmed away from danger.
However, Leicester continued to push and made it 1-1 just after the hour when Otchere rose highest to head home from a corner.
The hosts then went ahead after an unfortunate moment for Upstell, who had produced some good saves to keep his side in a positive position in the game.
The Foxes caught Saints' keeper on the ball at the back and this presented Evans with the simple chance to roll into an empty net.
A good response late on from Saints saw them build some pressure and Robinson saw a shot deflected just wide, but it was Leicester who claimed the 2-1 win.
Saints are in action again next week when they return to Staplewood to host Reading in the Under-18 Premier League.
Leicester City: French, Aluko, Thomas (Joseph 45), Neale, McAlinney, Amartey (c) (Khela 62), Donnelly (Loureiro 73), Dyke, Evans, Briggs (45), Otchere.
Subs not used: Bausor.
Goals: Ochere 61, Evans 78.
Saints: Upstell, Prescott, Dobson-Ventura (c), Fry (Moore 73), Sesay, Andrews, Oyekunle, Martin (Sheaf 57), Pitts, Daley (McMullan 69), Robinson.
Subs not used: Abbotson, Okonola-Matthews.
Goals: Robinson 36.
Yellow cards: Robinson 57.
