U21 Report: Saints 1-0 Exeter City
A rotated Southampton Under-21s side beat Exeter City Under-21s 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Staplewood on Tuesday afternoon.
Exeter's youngsters were quickest out of blocks in the opening exchanges, but Saints composed themselves and took the lead with six minutes on the clock.
Diamond Edwards, who had an impressive display, slipped in Will Merry with a tidy short pass that the striker finished with a deft touch to roll the ball past the goalkeeper and open the scoring.
The visitors almost equalised quickly after a good counter attack, but their left winger cut inside and struck the post with his low shot.
Edwards' quality shone again after he was picked out with a long pass from Josh McNamara; Saints' tricky winger took the ball in his stride with a delightful flick and raced into the area but couldn't find a finish after a quick exchange with Merry.
At the other end, Josh McNamara produced an excellent save to deny an equaliser after a low cross from the left was met with a first time shot that bounced up awkwardly.
Diamond Edwards impressed on the ball. (Photos: Matt Watson)
The summer arrival between the sticks was in action again just after the half hour mark with a reaction save from a corner, leaping across to his right to clear a powerful header from point-blank range.
Saints almost had their second goal after a penalty area scramble that saw three chances blocked, denying Thierry Small, Will Merry, and Sonnie Davis.
Small then fired wide just before half time after being set free inside the penalty area by Joe Andrews's pass.
After half time, Saints had the first opportunity in front of goal through Merry, who was denied by a smart stop in a one-on-one opportunity.
The second half was notably quieter than the first with further rotations for both sides; Under-18s striker Josh Pitts came close to doubling the lead but was unable to direct the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper from the edge of the area.
Josh McNamara made some impressive saves.
In the final ten minutes, McNamara made two good stops at the near post, first with his feet after a mazy run and shot from Exeter's substitute left winger before denying the same opponent with his chest.
Under-18s defender Jayden Moore tested Exeter's goalkeeper with the final chance of the game, but his shot from the edge of the area was well held before the referee's final whistle blew.
Saints: McNamara, Davis, Bailey (Dobson-Ventura 79), Moore, Lett, Trialist (Squires 59), Edwards (Pitts 66), Stepien-Iwumene, Merry (Robinson 56), Andrews, Small.
Subs not used: Jeffries.
Goals: Merry 6
Yellow cards: McNamara 24
Exeter City: N/A.
