B Team Preview: Newcastle United vs Saints
Southampton’s B team return to Premier League 2 action this weekend with a trip to Newcastle United on Sunday.
Newcastle United vs Saints
Premier League 2
Whitely Park
Sunday 23rd October, 2:00pm BST
Saints’ Papa Johns Trophy journey ended on Tuesday night after a narrow 2-1 defeat against SkyBet League Two side, Newport County.
Sam Bellis came off the bench to score his fourth goal in all competitions this season, but Dave Horseman’s side couldn’t find an equaliser to take a point back from South Wales.
As they return to league action for the first time in two weeks, Saints will be looking to build on an impressive 2-0 win over Aston Villa in their last PL2 outing.
Goals from Kamari Doyle and Luke Pearce earned all three points at Snows Stadium in a return to winning ways in the league.
Horseman’s side have enjoyed a strong start to the 2022/23 campaign, having lost just once in their opening six games as they find themselves fifth in the division.
Sunday’s hosts, Newcastle United, also bowed out of the Papa Johns Trophy on Tuesday; a 2-0 defeat against Lincoln City saw them finish bottom of Group E North.
Elliott Dickman’s side are enjoying a spell of form in the league as they are unbeaten in their last four PL2 matches, winning three and drawing one.
Coincidentally, the young Magpies also beat Aston Villa in their last league match, thanks to a goal in each half from Joe White and Joshua Scott which earned a 2-1 victory.
Newcastle find themselves in sixth place in the table, three points and one position behind Saints whilst also having played one game more.
Last season, Saints B enjoyed a memorable trip to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle in Premier League 2 in which they ran out 4-2 winners.
Tyler Dibling scored a spectacular first half hattrick before Jimmy-Jay Morgan added his name to the scoresheet in the second half, leaving Newcastle with too much to do despite a late surge.
“There’ll be a few changes to the team as we’ll have three or four away with England Under-17s, but that gives an opportunity for the others” Horseman explained on Tuesday night.
“It'll be a tough game, but we’re such a good group.
“We’ll go there, play the Southampton way, and make sure we put on a performance to be proud of.”
