U21 Report: West Ham 3-3 Saints
Southampton’s Under-21s had to settle for a draw after late drama in a six-goal thriller against West Ham United in Premier League 2.
Kamari Doyle gave Saints the lead with his first goal of the season from a trademark free-kick.
The hosts turned the score around before half-time with goals from George Earthy and Callum Marshall.
Second half goals from Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Princewill Ehibhatiomhan appeared to complete a comeback but Marshall levelled the scores at the death for West Ham.
Back in Premier League 2 action for the first time in three weeks, due to the international break, Saints made just one change with Amo-Ameyaw returning from the first team squad to start at youth level.
Sam Amo-Ameyaw returned to the Under-21s side. (Photos: Isabelle Field)
The first opportunities of the evening came in quick succession at Rush Green, as both sides appeared evenly matched in the opening exchanges despite their contrasting starts to the season.
George Earthy created the hosts’ first chance with some impressive skill inside his own half and a driving run, which led to an inviting cross that Ollie Scarles could only direct back across goal.
Saints then went even closer a minute later as Amo-Ameyaw curled a low shot from the edge of the penalty area that Jacob Knightbridge pushed away at full stretch.
Lee Skyrme’s side slowly worked their way into a spell of control as Jayden Meghoma was next to go close; the full-back combined with Diamond Edwards on the left and used his lightning pace to get into the area with his shot palmed over the crossbar.
Princewill Ehibhatiomhan tried his luck a minute later with an effort from range that was held by Knightbridge in the West Ham goal.
The early pressure from Saints paid off in the 19th minute after Amo-Ameyaw’s tricky play led to a free-kick from just over 25-yards-out.
In trademark fashion, right-footed on this occasion, Doyle stepped up and found the back of the net with pinpoint accuracy for his first goal of the season.
Kamari Doyle (R) celebrates his opening goal.
The lead was short-lived, unfortunately, as West Ham equalised five minutes later through Earthy who ghosted in at the far post to convert a dangerous cross from Callum Marshall.
Saints weren’t deterred and went in search of their second as Derrick Abu struck the post with an audacious attempt from distance that arrowed off the woodwork and out for a corner off the back of Knightbridge.
It was the hosts who scored next, however, as Callum Marshall headed in from close range after a battling run from right-back Dan Chesters who stood up an inviting cross.
Diamond Edwards came close to finding an equaliser before the break, but his shot from just inside the area was saved.
It took until just before the hour mark for either side to create their next clear opening as the hosts spurned a chance to extend their lead; Earthy fired wide despite having space and time in the box.
Tyler Dibling then tested the goalkeeper from 18-yards with a powerful, left-footed strike that was held at the second attempt.
Saints’ growing pressure once again paid off as Amo-Ameyaw levelled the scores in style, showing his class inside the penalty area before powering his shot in off the crossbar.
Amo-Ameyaw celebrates his second half strike.
Ten minutes later and Saints’ turnaround was completed through Ehibhatiomhan, who raced through one-on-one and slotted home his first goal at Under-21s level with mature composure.
At the other end, Adli Mohamed produced a vital stop at close range to deny an instant equaliser from substitute Gideon Kodua.
With just over ten minutes to play, Dibling was denied by an excellent, diving save from Knightbridge to prevent a two-goal cushion that would have surely sealed the victory.
West Ham piled on the pressure in the closing stages and, right at the death, Marshall found his second and the hosts’ third goal of the game to level the scores once more, with a deflected effort that agonisingly rolled in off the post.
West Ham United: Knightbridge, Chesters, Johnson, Coventry, Laing (Luizão 74), Casey (c), Marshall, Kelly (Orford 74), Mubama (Kodua 74), Earthy, Scarles (Moore 83).
Subs not used: Terry.
Goals: Earthy 24, Marshall 39, 90+4.
Yellow Cards: Mubama 43, Marshall 68.
Saints: Mohamed, Abu, Armitage, Awe, Meghoma, Bragg, Amo-Ameyaw, Doyle (c), Ehibhatiomhan (Robinson 80), Dibling (Stepien-Iwumene 90+1), Edwards (Merry 69).
Subs not used: McNamara, Lett.
Goals: Doyle 19, Amo-Ameyaw 64, Ehibhatiomhan 74.
Yellow Cards: Edwards 28, Meghoma (90+3).
