U21 Report: Saints 6-0 Reading
Southampton’s Under-21s ran riot in Premier League 2 as they hit Reading for six at Snows Stadium on Friday evening.
Princewill Ehibhatiomhan and Kamari Doyle gave Saints a two-goal cushion at the break after a dominant first half.
Sam Amo-Ameyaw made it three with a stylish run and finish before Doyle scored his second of the game in between a brace for Tyler Dibling.
A week on from picking up a point on the road against West Ham United, Saints made two changes with Sonnie Davis and Will Merry coming into the side in place of Derrick Abu and Diamond Edwards.
Will Merry was one of two changes for Saints. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)
Back at Snows Stadium for the first time in a month, Saints appeared evenly matched against their high-flying opponents in the opening exchanges.
Half-chances for Amo-Ameyaw and Taylan Harris respectively were the only early sights of goal in the first 15 minutes before Saints began to take total control.
Dibling had the game’s first shot on target after starting a rapid counter-attack from his own half; a quick one-two with Amo-Ameyaw set Dibling away but his eventual shot was well held.
Saints continued to dominate possession before Jayden Meghoma tried his luck with a shot from almost 30 yards out that was tipped over by Tom Norcott in the Reading goal.
Amo-Ameyaw was a constant threat on the right wing and had his first attempt in the 25th-minute, flashing a low effort across goal after more trickery on the right flank.
Just after the half hour, Meghoma embarked another battling run into midfield and found Amo-Ameyaw, who this time cut inside before curling a shot wide of the far post.
The first goal of the game looked like it was only going one way, but Saints’ deserved opener came in fortuitous fashion - Ehibhatiomhan capitalised on a defensive mix-up from Adli Mohamed’s long clearance and calmly tucked the ball home.
The lead was then doubled before the break through Doyle, who drove forward across almost half the pitch before hitting a low effort that wrong-footed the goalkeeper via a slight deflection.
Kamari Doyle celebrates his first goal of the night.
After half-time, the game continued in the same vein and Saints soon had their third in impressive fashion.
Amo-Ameyaw was played in on the right once again and jinked past two defenders before slotting the ball in between the legs of the Reading goalkeeper.
The visitors almost pulled a goal back as Charlie Wellens hit the crossbar with a well-struck volley from a corner, but a minute later Saints were celebrating once again.
Cam Bragg’s bustling run to the byline paid off as the midfielder cut the ball back for Dibling, who was waiting to finish through a handful of Reading bodies from close range.
Just after the hour mark, Meghoma came close with another impressive effort after his shot across goal was palmed away following a surging run forward.
Adli Mohamed, who had little to do for much of the evening, made a vital save with his legs to deny Charlie Wellens and in turn kick start a counter attack that led to Saints’ fifth goal.
Doyle finished the devastating team move, confidently lifting the ball over Norcott and into the top corner for his second of the game.
Saints were brimming with confidence at Snows Stadium.
Ehibhatiomhan almost added his second of the game with a one-on-one opportunity but the forward was denied at the near post.
Saints’ sixth goal did arrive in the 75th minute though as Dibling slotted home his second of the night, showing composure after being played in on goal by substitute Jake Vokins.
Mohamed made another important save to preserve his clean sheet by keeping out a powerful header from a corner, but in truth the result had been far beyond doubt for some time.
The impressive goals tally wasn’t to be increased, despite Jay Robinson’s acrobatic attempt from a Vokins cross in the closing stages, as Saints picked up their second win of the season in style.
Saints: Mohamed, Davis, Armitage, Awe, Meghoma (Lett 76), Bragg, Amo-Ameyaw, Doyle (c), Ehibhatiomhan (Robinson 76), Dibling (Edwards 76), Merry (Vokins 66).
Subs not used: McNamara.
Goals: Ehibhatiomhan 38, Doyle 45+1, 65, Amo-Ameyaw 50, Dibling 55, 74.
Reading: Norcott, Abrefa, Paul, Stickland (c), Dorsett, Holmes, Harris (Guinness-Walker 51), Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis (Purcell 67), Okine-Peters, Wareham (Spencer 75), Wellens (Clark 67).
Subs not used: Rhone.
Yellow Cards: Dorsett (90+2)
