U18 Report: Saints 2-2 West Ham
Southampton Under-18s played out an entertaining and breathless 2-2 draw with West Ham in the Under-18s Premier League on Saturday.
West Ham’s Josh Briggs opened the scoring early on from a corner, but Saints soon hit back through Nick Oyekunle.
Oyekunle then found the net for the second time midway through the first-half to send Saints in 2-1 up at half-time, but a second-half strike from Jemiah Umolu for the visitors saw West Ham claim a share of the spoils.
The draw continues Saints' steady improvement as they have suffered just two defeats in their last five games.
Saints and West Ham line up before kick-off. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
After an early spell that saw both sides tussling for control, West Ham opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Briggs turned home a deep corner delivery at the far post.
However, Saints hit back immediately when a clipped ball over the visitors' backline put Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez in behind his marker, and his low cross was turned home near the penalty spot by the onrushing Oyekunle.
The equaliser seemed to give Saints a boost of confidence and they then took the lead with 26 minutes on the clock after a strong spell of possession.
It was the same combination that produced the decisive actions again as Gomes Rodriguez intercepted a pass close to the West Ham area before spotting an unmarked Oyekunle, who's finish was calm and composed once again.
Saints goalkeeper Dylan Moody was then forced into his first save of the game, and it was an important one as he showed great reflexes to deflect a firm close-range shot away from danger.
Nick Oyekunle celebrates scoring twice in the first half.
Saints had the first opportunity of the second-half when a pass was squeezed through to Gomes Rodriguez and his powerful effort was struck right at West Ham goalkeeper Finlay Herrick.
The visitors then went within a whisker of drawing level when striker Umolu saw his free-kick cannon off the base of the post with Saints’ Moody left to watch.
Umolu was not to be denied for long though and he took advantage of a loose pass at the back from Saints to calmly slot home his side’s equaliser.
The goal seemed to open the game up and both sides looked likely to find the net for a third time.
Chances for Will Merry and Joe Andrews saw visiting keeper Herrick forced into two smart saves at his near post, after some promising moves had been unsuccessful at the other end for the Hammers.
Despite no more goals being scored during the latter stages, there were to be further openings for both sides late on.
West Ham substitute Elisha Sowunmi hit the post from a narrow angle before Saints midfielder Harrison Miles dragged his effort wide when the ball fell to him kindly in the box.
Saints are next in action on Saturday 21st October when they travel away to take on Reading in the Under-18 Premier League Cup.
Saints: Moody, Williams, Moore, Dobson-Ventura (c), Okonola-Matthews (Sheaf 62), Miles (Daley 87), Gomes Rodriguez, Robinson (83), Oyekunle, Andrews, Merry.
Subs not used: Upstell, Pitts.
Goals: Oyekunle 15, 26.
Yellow cards: Andrews 50, Miles 63, Oyekunle 69.
West Ham United: Herrick, Battrum (c), Jones (Fearon 45), Akpata, Briggs, Mayers, Medine (Adeile 45), Caliste (Fawunmi 45), Umolu, Rigge (Sowanmi 73), Ajala.
Subs not used: Abraham.
Goals: Briggs 11, Umolu 65.
Yellow cards: Akpata 45, Briggs 75, Fearon .
