WHAT HAPPENED
We kept our first clean sheet of the season as Tyreece John-Jules’ strike gave us a narrow victory against Southampton
Chances were few and far between during the opening exchanges as we tried to break down a stubborn Saints defence.
John-Jules came close with a header inside 10 minutes, before Trae Coyle stung the palms of Tommy Scott with a fierce effort from the edge of the box.
The visitors should have been ahead, arguably against the run of play, when Kazeem Olaigbe whipped an inviting ball towards Harlem Hale, but the winger directed his effort wide.
On the stroke of half time, Ben Cottrell played a perfect ball over the Southampton defence into the path of John-Jules, and he struck a first-time effort past Scott to give us the lead.
James Olayinka came close to doubling our advantage early in the second half when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box but saw his curling effort come back off the post.
John-Jules was denied his second when Scott saved his low shot with his feet after our forward had dribbled past two players.
Southampton had their keeper to thank again as Scott got down well to save a well-hit John-Jules penalty, after our youngster had been pulled down inside the box.
WHAT IT MEANS
WHAT’S NEXT
Steve Bould's side next face Villarreal in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday, November 27 at Meadow Park at 7pm (UK time)
By Sam Cox
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