U18 Report: Reading 0-3 Saints

After a goalless first period, the visitors reemerged the more energetic of the two sides, and Obafemi deservedly edged Saints in front with his seventh of the season.

The striker netted a second 15 minutes later, before substitute Will Ferry unearthed his first goal of the campaign to ensure all three points travelled back to Southampton.

Intent on remedying the narrow loss against Norwich last time out, Saints largely dominated the first 45 minutes, without creating too many clear-cut openings of note.

Obafemi worked the Royals 'keeper in the 25th minute, striking the ball with potency on the volley and forcing a smart one-footed save from Adam Desbois.

Harlem Hale initiated a counter-attack on the half hour mark, using his pace and instinctive passing to release Obafemi, who whipped a low cross towards Jonathan Afolabi, but the wide man failed to connect.

Will Smallbone, dignified and composed in possession, struck uncharacteristically wide in the 35th minute, as Saints attempted to break the first-half impasse.

After Reading's liveliest threat, Samuel Faniyan, fired a warning shot early in the second period, Saints reorganised and upped the tempo, instigating the earliest of three well worked goals.

The first arrived courtesy of Obafemi, who pounced upon a fortuitous rebound to stroke home, despite Desbois' scrambled effort to prevent the ball trickling over the line.

Bouyed by the opener, the goal ravenous striker raced down field in the 64th minute, shrugged off an unenthusiastic tackle, before lashing in to the top corner from 12 yards to double the advantage.

Three minutes had passed before Will Ferry joined the action, and the scoresheet, latching on to Hale's refined cross to tap home at the back post.

Christoph Klarer had the chance to extend the margin of difference with a headed effort, before some astute goalkeeping from in-form Alex Cull preserved Saints' clean sheet. The stopper instinctively saved from point blank range in the 80th minute, just as Faniyan looked set to steal a late goal for Reading.