U18 Report: Saints 1-0 Fulham

Harry Hamblin netted the decider early in the first period, swivelling in the box before dispatching cooly from close range.

The performance was befitting of all three points, full of industry and endeavour, as Southampton's young charges extended their unbeaten league streak to five games.

A characteristically energetic start from Craig Fleming's youngsters reaped plenty of rewards early on, as a succession of good chances led to the opener in the eleventh minute.

Kornelius Hansen was the architect, drifting out wide before curling an inviting cross in to the danger area. The delivery was cleared as far as Harlem Hale, who lofted a pass back on to the six yard line, where Hamblin was most enthusiastic.

The midfielder rolled his defender, using his body to engineer the space, before steadying himself and calmly stroking home to give Saints the lead.

The home side would perhaps rue opportunities missed after the early goal, but were good value for their slender lead, showing good maturity and strength to shake off their midweek FA Youth Cup disappointment.

Timmi Abraham had a chance at the back post midway through the half, but Adam Parkes stood tall and was distraction enough to dissuade the striker. Momentum switched temporarily on the half hour mark, with winger Chris Kelly leading the Fulham charge.

Full of pace and running, the wide man was eating up the yards, and won a promising free-kick in the 34th minute. Reece York struck the dead ball, but Saints' wall routinely did its job, stubbornly shielding Parkes's goalmouth.

The hosts entered the break with the advantage, which could have been larger had Jonathan Afolabi's deft effort not been ruled out for offside.

The visitors made two changes at the break, in the hope of changing their fortunes. Indeed, Fulham enjoyed a spell of pressure at the restart. Kayne Ramsay conceded an avoidable corner, which presented a headed chance for substitute Jose Garrido, but defensively dogged, Saints smothered the danger.

Up at the other end, Afolabi was spearheading a quick fire attack. The frontman got to the byline, before spotting the near post run of Enzo Robise, whose goalbound effort was smartly turned off the line by Jayden Mundle-Smith.

Determined to increase their advantage, knowing that their opposition were also creating chances, Saints were again on the assault in the 55th minute. Harrison Davis guided a floated ball in to the path of Hale, who was subsequently tripped as he gathered the pass.

Jake Vokins, on dead ball duty, didn't do himself justice with the delivery, but soon had his side on the front foot once more. Turning defence in to attack, the fullback won the ball deep in his half, before powering forward and finding Hansen. Hale took over from there, fizzing the ball towards the desperate run of Robise, who, for all his industry, was unlucky not to latch on to it.

Continuing to press, Hale forced a superb save from Luca Ashby-Hammond as the clock ticked over the hour mark. Saints were going closer.

Hale's effort was tipped acrobatically on to the crossbar, before Afolabi crafted yet another opening. The home side had some real momentum and tempo to their play, typified by Afolabi, who beat two men before firing at Ashby-Hammond, who was inconveniently equal to it.

Saints closed out the game in control. Christoph Klarer again tested Fulham's keeper with a powerful header, which wasn't accurate enough to beat the alert stopper, but was indicative of the home side's dominance. Three hard-fought points were gained, as Fleming's young side closed out a tough week on a high.