Under-18s coach Danny Butterfield was pleased with the manner of his side's performance, despite the narrow loss to Reading in the Premier League Cup.
Southampton's youngsters dominated a large percentage of possession, whilst dictating the flow of play and chances created, but a superb performance from opposition 'keeper Adam Desbois, with help from the woodwork, kept Saints at bay.
Striker Michael Obafemi was unlucky to see his penalty kick crash off the crossbar, while midfield maestro Will Smallbone also went close, but the breakthrough wasn't to be.
"I think we're happy with the performance, rather than the result," Butterfield commented.
"We created enough chances to score, we've hit the crossbar, their 'keeper has made a string of great saves and Mikey has hit the woodwork with the penalty.
"Two or three set-plays let us down today, but the work ethic, the application and some of the football was pleasing. It is natural to feel disappointment after a loss, that is part of their development process.
"The momentum has been building among the group, and it will continue to do so. We stayed on the front foot throughout. Momentarily, perhaps, the penalty miss rocked us but we came out second half and were on top.
"We got caught for the goal, they broke on us. We'll learn from that, but on the whole we're largely happy with the boys and how they are applying themselves at the minute.
"We couldn't get the ball in the back of the net today, other days it would have fallen for us. Missed chances, rather than defensive errors or bad decisions cost us."
Share this: