U21 Report: Oxford United 3-1 Saints
Southampton Under-21s put in a competitive display but lost 3-1 to an experienced Oxford United side in a behind closed doors friendly on Saturday.
The hosts moved into a 2-0 lead in the first-half thanks to goals from Billy Bodin and Gatlin O’Donkor.
Saints, who gave minutes to 21 players over the course of the match, responded early in the second-half as Cameron Bragg turned home a rebounded free-kick, but Oxford scored a late third thanks to Trialist.
The first shot on target of the contest came courtesy of Oxford’s Marcus Browne when he forced a comfortable save from Saints goalkeeper Adli Mohamed at the near post.
Saints responded and won a free-kick in a promising position, but Tyler Dibling saw his effort cannon off the wall and away from danger.
Midfielder Cameron Brannagan then hit the post from close-range after Oxford won the ball in an advanced position, but Oxford did take the lead in the 22nd minute when Billy Bodin turned home at the back post after meeting a cross from the left.
Striker Gatlin O’Donkor made it 2-0 just five minutes later when he was on hand to head home after following up a loose ball in the six-yard box.
Joshua Lett challenges for the ball during the first half. (Photo: Chris Williams)
At the other end, Saints wide man Dibling looked to half the deficit as the game moved past the 30 minute mark after cutting in from the right, but his powerful strike flew well over range crossbar.
As the first-half moved to its conclusion, Saints enjoyed their best spell of possession in the Oxford half and almost pulled a goal back as a result.
A neat move ended with Joe Andrews letting fly first time from just outside the box but, with the ball slightly stuck under his feet, he couldn’t keep his effort down to trouble Oxford’s James Beadle in goal.
After eight changes at the break, Saints settled well into the second-half and made it 2-1 when Cameron Bragg was on hand to turn home in the penalty area after Diamond Edwards’ set-piece strike had been blocked.
More positive attacking play from the visitors then saw Matt Carson connect well to get a strike on goal from range but his effort was comfortably saved.
With the game then opening up, Oxford then wasted a golden opportunity when Yanic Wildschut screwed his shot wide from a good position close to goal.
Saints midfielder Josh Squires was forced into some excellent work just past the mid point of the second period.
A free-kick delivery to the back post was hooked goalwards by Eliott Moore and Squires got back on his own goalline to clear excellently before the Oxford rebound was put wide.
However, Oxford did make it 3-1 late on when Trialist turned home from close-range.
The final action of the game saw Saints keeper Josh McNamara prevent another Oxford goal with a superb save to deny Trialist’s header from a right wing cross.
Saints are next in action again next Saturday when they host Leyton Orient at Staplewood.
Saints first half: Mohamed, Squires (Abu), Lancashire, Simeu, Lett, Bragg, Dibling, Iwumene, Pearce, Andrews, Small.
Saints second half: McNamara, Abu, Hewlett, Simeu (Bailey), Carson, Bragg (Squires), Miles, Finnigan, Edwards, Ehibhatiomhan, Robinson.
Goals: Bragg (47')
Oxford United first half: Beadle, Long, Mfuni, Thorniley, Henry, Murphy, McEachran, Brannagan, Bodin, Browne, O'Donkor.
Oxford United second half: McGinty, Stevens, Moore, Golding, Brown, Smyth, McGuane, Goodrham, Rodrigues, Trialist, Wildschut.
Goals: Bodin (22'), O'Donkor (27'), Trialist (85')
