Southampton Under-18s made it two successive home wins with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against West Ham United at Staplewood.
Dan N’Lundulu and Siph Mdlalose both netted inside the final five minutes to seal the win for Craig Fleming’s men against the Hammers.
Two-goal Tyreke Johnson started again for Saints, while Jamie Bradley-Green was handed his first start of the season in defence alongside captain Aaron O’Driscoll.
After victory against their Chelsea counterparts last time out, Fleming’s side began the game brightly, as they took the game to the Hammers.
Callum Slattery almost opened the scoring with 20 minutes gone, but his header was well saved by West Ham goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics.
The half was frantic, but neither side were able to create a clear goalscoring opportunity, as they headed in level at the break.
After a double change at half time, the visitors were on the front foot in the opening moments of the second half, but were frustrated when appeals for a penalty were turned away after Jahmal Hector-Ingram had gone down in the box.
Anthony Scully then fired high and wide as both sides continued to cancel one another out.
Saints themselves pressed for a breakthrough in the closing stages and it eventually came, as N’Lundulu grabbed the opener inside the final five minutes.
A decisive second followed five minutes later, as Mdlalose capitalised on a defensive error to make it back-to-back victories for Fleming’s side.
Southampton Under-18s: Neal Osborn, Connor Langan, Aaron O’Driscoll (c), Jamie Bradley-Green, Jake Vokins, Siph Mdlalose, Harry Hamblin, Callum Slattery, Tyreke Johnson, Will Smallbone, Dan N’Lundulu.
Unused substitutes: Jack Bycroft (GK), Harlem Hale, Javen Siu, Oliver Gardner, Daniel Barltlett.
Goal: N’Lundulu (85), Mdlalose (90)
Booked: Mdlalose (20)
West Ham United Under-18s: Rihards Matrevics, Ben Johnson, Jake Eggleton (Jeremy Ngakia 46), Ben Wells, Rosaire Longelo (Odisseas Spyrides 77), Korrey Henry, Conor Coventry, Mark Hamilton (Reece Hannam 46), Dan Kemp, Anthony Scully, Jahmal Hector-Ingram.
Unused substitutes: Tyler Forde (GK), Kevin Dalipi.
Booked: Henry (28)
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