U21 Report: West Ham 5-1 Saints
Southampton Under-21s fell to a heavy defeat at West Ham in their second Premier League 2 match of the season.
Braces from Ollie Scarles and Joshua Ajala, and a single strike from Sean Moore, proved enough for the hosts to take all three points.
Saints forged a strong spell towards the end of the game as Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh fired home a stunning strike from range, but it wasn't enough as they left East London empty handed.
It was West Ham who took an early lead when Scarles made a smart run from midfield into the Saints box and finished well inside the far post.
Saints looked to respond and thought they had their equaliser when a driving run and through pass from Jay Robinson put Romeo Akachukwu in on goal, but he was denied by the linesman’s flag despite a smart finish.
The first 30 minutes had been a scrappy affair, with both sides struggling for real control of the play.
Half chances for Akachukwu and Will Armitage were well blocked by the hosts at close range – the first after an excellent run into the opposing penalty area from Jay Robinson.
However, Saints were hit by a second West Ham goal shortly before half time when the hosts won possession high in the Saints half and worked the ball to Moore, who rifled home.
Simon Rusk's side looked to start the second half well, but a quickfire double from Ajala put the game virtually out of reach; the first was a smart one-on-one finish and the second a mazy run after beating several challenges.
Saints did find the net with a special goal from O’Brien-Whitmarsh, who also scored on the opening day win at Leicester City, as the Irishmen fired home a superb left footed strike from around 25 yards out.
Substitute Princewill Ehibhatiomhan almost scored from a similar passage, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar and away.
The final blow came from a late West Ham breakaway as Scarles was released on the left and slid into the bottom corner for his second of the game.
Saints return to action on Friday 30th August when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Staplewood, with kick off at 7pm.
West Ham: Herrick, Battrum, Mayers, Scarles, Casey (Dolaghan 89), Luizão, Moore, Orford, Ajala (Rigge 67), Swyer (Tarima 89), Adiele (Akpata 83).
Subs not used: Terry.
Goals: Scarles 8, 86, Moore 39, Ajala 52, 54.
Yellow Cards: Casey, Adiele, Scarles..
Saints: McNamara, Abu, Larios (Rohart-Brown 57), Moore, Armitage (Ehibhatiomhan 57), Reeves, Akachukwu, O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Merry (Myers 73), Robinson, Meghoma.
Subs not used: Mohamed, Charles.
Goals: O’Brien-Whitmarsh 69.
Yellow Cards: Moore.
