U18 Report: Saints 2-4 Everton
Southampton Under-18s fell to a 4-2 defeat in the opening game of their Under-18 Premier League Cup campaign.
The visitors held a 3-0 lead at half time after goals from Cieran Loney, Kean Wren and Graham Braiden.
Saints responded well and reduced Everton’s lead through Aston Daley, but Everton held on and George Finney added their fourth goal through before Nick Oyekunle's stoppage-time penalty.
It was Everton who hit their stride early in the contest and took the lead when striker Loney volleyed home in the box after a knock back across goal found him perfectly in the fifth minute.
Saints soon settled into their passing rhythm though, and their first chance came courtesy of Daley, who rounded off a neat move by placing a shot across goal that was comfortably saved by Douglas Lukjanciks.
Everton nearly made it 2-0 shortly afterwards, when Braiden forced his way into space in the Saints area and fired a shot goalwards, but the ball flew narrowly over the crossbar.
Saints proved unfortunate not to be back on level terms when Oyekunle met a dinked cross into the six-yard area, but his header was well stopped by Lukjanciks.
Sufianu Sillah-Dibaga also had a shot in the next attack that flew narrowly past the far post after he'd cut in off the left.
Sufianu Sillah Dibaga drives at goal. (Photos: Matt Watson)
However, the visitors doubled their lead against the run of play when Wren was slid into a shooting position in the box and finished calmly across goal.
Everton's third arrived in first half stoppage-time when Braiden found space down the left and produced a side foot finish that gave Saints goalkeeper Khiani Shombe no chance.
The visitors still held their three-goal advantage going into halftime, although Saints could consider themselves unlucky to be so far behind at the break after controlling much of the play.
Saints looked energetic after the interval and almost found a way back into the game when a Josh Pitts free kick was spilled and fell to Oyekunle, who lifted his effort over the bar.
Calum McFarlane's side then enjoyed a significant spell of pressure, and got their reward when Daley found a goal back after working space well in the box before firing across goal and in via the far post.
However, despite dominating the second half and playing some excellent football in the process, Saints were unable to find the net again and it was Everton who sealed the cup opener with a win.
The visitors added their late fourth through Finney’s header from a corner, before Nick Oyekunle netted from the penalty spot for a late consolation.
Saints are in action again on Saturday 31st August when they host Aston Villa in the Under-18 Premier League, with kick off set for 12pm at Staplewood.
Saints: Shombe, Adjei-Afriyie, Dobson-Ventura (c) (Emsden-James 75), Okonola-Matthews, Goremusandu (Rodella 83), McMullan, Pitts (Bassega 75), Daley, Oyekunle, Martin (Gathercole 68), Sillah Dibaga.
Subs not used: Upstell.
Goals: Daley 66, Oyekunle 90+3(pen).
Everton: Lukjanciks, Lambert (Freeman 50), Van Schoor, Finney, Aled (c), Foster (Aharakiri 78), Wren, Gardner, Loney (Stewart 78), Braiden (Matos 68), Catesby.
Subs not used: Gospel-Eze.
Goals: Loney 5, Wren 32, Braiden 45+1, Finney 88.
Yellow Cards: Loney, Lukjanciks.
