U18 Report: Saints 2-1 Fulham
Southampton Under-18s began their Under-18 Premier League campaign with a victory over Fulham at Staplewood.
Saints responded well to Fulham’s early opener from Seth Ridgeon and created the better chances, with Nick Oyekunle’s brace earning the three points in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
There was a signal of intent from Saints in the early stages as Hansel Adjei-Afriye took aim with a long-range strike and forced visiting goalkeeper Marco Underwood to tip over the bar.
A neat routine from the resulting corner also saw Oyekunle's first shot on target, but his effort proved comfortable for Underwood to hold despite the ball travelling through several bodies.
It then proved to be a setback for Saints when Fulham took the lead against the run of play, when Ridgeon fired in a left-footed shot across goal.
However, after a strong, controlled response from Saints, they equalised when Sufianu Sillah-Dibaga broke beyond his marker on the left and squared across goal for Oyekunle to turn and finish.
Nick Oyekunle celebrates his equaliser. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
Despite being held level, Saints were playing the better football in the first half and a superb team move, flowing from back to front, almost saw James Martin score when he broke onto a through ball but saw his shot tipped over.
The lively first period was not done there though, as Saints were reduced to 10 men just after the half hour mark.
Aston Daley was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity on 34 minutes, as his side had to remain calm and composed in possession for the rest of the half.
Fulham looked to begin the second period strongly and they almost pulled ahead again when full-back Kymarley Morrison set the ball back for Farhaan Ali Wahid, but the latter’s shot was high and wide.
Saints were still battling well and an excellently executed set-piece saw them gain the lead for the first time in the 51st minute.
Korban McMullan’s delivery was headed across goal by Tommy Dobson-Ventura and Oyekunle was on hand once again to provide the finishing touch.
A carbon copy of the earlier sending off then saw the game's red card, with Fulham's Bradley Slade as he hauled down Oyekunle when he was through on goal.
With 20 minutes to play, Saints went within inches of making it 3-1 from a corner when Max Fry’s header hit the bar, Dobson-Ventura’s follow-up was blocked and Oyekunle’s rebound was headed off the line.
With the first three points of the season in their grasp, Saints had to stay vigilant at the back and goalkeeper Khiani Shombe made a superb save to deny Ridgeon his second goal of the game with a save pushed over the bar from close range.
Saints: Shombe, Adjei-Afriyie, Dobson-Ventura (c), Fry, Goremusandu (Okonola-Matthews 81), McMullan (Pitts 69), Gathercole (Bassega 85), Daley, Oyekunle, Martin, Sillah Dibaga.
Subs not used: Abbotson, Frederick.
Goals: Oyekunle 22, 51.
Yellow Cards: Adjei-Afriyiie, McMullan, Oyekunle, Martin, Gathercole, Pitts.
Red Cards: Daley.
Fulham: Underwood, White, Morrison (Picotto 65), Cooke, Slade, Khan (Lubega 58), Platel (Zepa 45), Ridgeon, Wingate (Faux 55), Quashie (c), Ali Wahid.
Subs not used: Varney.
Goals: Ridgeon 6.
Yellow Cards: Platel, Morrison.
Red Cards: Slade.
