Southampton Under-18s rounded off the year with a 1-0 away win against high-flying Leicester City in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League.
Marcus Barnes scored the only goal of the game after just 15 minutes as he got the faintest of touches on a near-post cross from winger Josh Sims.
Leicester put plenty of pressure on in the second-half, after Saints had dominated the first, but Anthony Limbrick’s side held on.
Harry Isted clawed the ball off the line with an acrobatic save following a corner and Niall Mason did the same late on to prevent a Leicester equaliser.
Saints had their chances too though, Barnes was played through one-on-one by Harley Willard but couldn’t convert and Olufela Olomola had a chance on the turn but was denied by the goalkeeper.
“They were quite physical as we expected,” said Limbrick.
“We started the better side and were on the front foot looking to get into good areas but we lacked the final ball.
“To get in 1-0 at half-time was pleasing. We had a really positive 20 minutes of passing football in the second-half but again lacked the final ball and cutting edge in the final third.”
The Under-18s return to action in the New Year against Brighton and Hove Albion and Limbrick said the break will be a productive time to reflect.
“It is nice to have a break. The players will all stick to their individual programmes and it is good to have a rest because most of these players had a tough pre-season going with the Under-21s as well as our tour of Spain and all worked really hard,” he concluded.
Southampton Under 18s: Harry Isted; Josh Debayo, Ollie Cook, Kyle Clinton, Niall Mason; Armani Little, Alfie Jones, Dan Demkiv (Callum Slattery); Josh Sims, Harley Willard (Joe Lea), Marcus Barnes (Olufela Olmola).
Unused Substitutes: Richard Bakary
Goals: Marcus Barnes (15)
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