U21 Report: Saints 0-4 Leyton Orient
Southampton's Under-21s put in a strong first-half showing, but fell to a 4-0 defeat against Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon.
Saints enjoyed some encouraging spells and created several good opportunities to score in the first period but went into the break a goal down after Theo Archibald put Leyton Orient ahead.
The experienced visitors then managed to take control of the contest in the second period as goals from Charlie Pegrum, Aaron Drinan and Tom James made sure of the result in their favour.
Saints started in confident fashion and almost took the lead early on when Ryan Finnigan met a low ball to the centre of the box but saw the ball roll just wide.
Two more chances saw the hosts go even closer as Prince Ehibhatiomhan looked to break the deadlock.
The striker saw good saves from Leyton Orient goalkeeper Sol Brynn deny him twice in quick succession – first from a front post flick after meeting a cross from the left and then with a deflection on a long range shot from full-back Jayden Meghoma.
Tyler Dibling then forced a comfortable save from Brynn, but it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play when Theo Archibald’s cross flew straight in back post on 26 minutes.
Saints still had the best of the attacking play towards the end of the second-half and Prince Ehibhatiomhan was only inches away from connecting with a ball when Kami Doyle’s cross flew across the six-yard line.
Goalkeeper Jack Bycroft had his first save to make as Leyton Orient’s goalscorer Archibald took aim from distance, but Bycroft was equal to it to turn the ball wide.
Just before the break, Saints agin proved unfortunate to not draw level. An excellent ball in from Kazeem Olaigbe was met by the onrushing Tyler Dibling, but Leyton Orient bodies again stopped the ball just before it crossed the line.
Early in the second-half, Leyton Orient managed to double their lead when a cross from the left fell at the feet of Charlie Pegrum and he had the simple task of passing into the net from close range.
It was 3-0 on 57 minutes as the visitors caught Saints in possession in their own half and Aaron Drinan was on hand to turn home a simple finish as the ball was squared to him across goal.
Saints looked for a response and Kami Doyle had the perfect opportunity to score when he intercepted a back pass and rounded the visitors’ substitute goalkeeper Sam Howes, but he chose to look for a pass rather than going for goal himself.
With the game drawing to a conclusion, Jack Bycroft was forced into good action once again as he got down to his right and turn Daniel Agyei’s firm strike wide.
However, Leyton Orient did find their fourth late on when Tom James send a stunning strike into the top corner from range.
Saints are in friendly action again on Tuesday when they travel away to face Weymouth, with kick-off at the Bob Lucas Stadium set for 7:45pm GMT.
Saints: Bycroft, Abu (Davis 76), Hewlett (Carson 76), Simeu, Meghoma (Lett 76), Bragg (Stepien-Iwumene 76), Dibling (Edwards 58), Finnigan, Ehibhatiomhan (Ballard 58), Doyle (Andrews 76), Olaigbe (Robinson 58).
Orient: N/A
Orient Goals: Archibald (26), Pegrum (47), Drinan (57), James (88)
