Match report: Southampton 2-2 Arsenal U-18s

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WHAT HAPPENED

Our under-18s delivered a spirited performance but were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against Southampton on Tuesday.

The result means we are unbeaten in our last three outings across all competitions, but in truth, Ken Gillard’s side deserved to leave with all three points.

It was a lively encounter from the start and Southampton took the lead inside just eight minutes. Zach Awe appeared to win the ball with a tackle inside the area, but the referee thought otherwise and Luke Pearce was on hand to convert from the spot.

It didn’t take us long to respond though, as Jack Henry-Francis picked up the ball on the edge of the area and slipped in Khayon Edwards, who jinked past his man before firing into the top corner.

But the first-half drama didn’t end there. Pearce went on to restore Southampton’s lead with a powerful effort in off the bar, before we equalised on the stroke of half-time – in some style.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy surged forward and reached the byline, attracting three defenders and skipping past them all, before squaring for Omari Hutchinson to finish from close range.

Following the restart, we continued to push forward in search of a winner and Joel Ideho came close at the far post, only to be denied by an outstanding save from Oliver Wright.

Edwards’ driven effort from a well-worked set-piece routine was then cleared away by an outstretched defender, before his audacious overhead kick was claimed by Wright.

Marcelo Flores had a late chance to secure the win, but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line and we were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.