It was an exciting first half in a strangely sun-drenched Anderson Park this afternoon for the match between Southampton and Co.Londonderry’s junior sides.
Southampton looked threatening in the opening minutes, however some great tackling and control was demonstrated by Londonderry’s number 17 Andrew Whiteside, and in the early minutes of the first half it was the home side who registered on the score sheet first, when number 7 Jordan McEneff fired Londonderry ahead.
The goal changed the pace of the game, with a much more confident Londonderry side- their number 13 Oisin McDaid showed his ability to dispossess in impressive style whilst number 16 Eamon McLaughlin sent a promising shot just wide and number 9 Stephen McColgan portrayed pace out on the wing before being dispossessed.
However, Southampton did manage to fight back when their number 7 Harlem Hale, saw his shot deflected just over the bar, followed by a shot by number 8 Jack Malone which was collected comfortably by Londonderry’s goalkeeper Shane Wallace.
Southampton’s Hale danced past the L.Derry players with impressive pace and Wallace was forced to defend his goal.
Then came the equaliser for the Southampton side by their superb number 7 Hale, who burst through on goal to draw it level just before half time, with the goal pivotal in boosting the confidence of the young Southampton players.
L’Derry’s had chances from number 14 Tiarnan Woods and number 7 McEneff, who powered his shot just wide. Whilst Southampton’s number 11 Jake Vokins sent a powerful ball towards Wallace only for it to be deflected over the bar.
The Londonderry side were reduced to 10 men early on in the second half, and a penalty awarded to the opposition, but Hale was unlucky when Wallace pulled off a stop to deny the Southampton side from taking an early lead.
Yet it wasn’t to be for the persistent L.Derry side against a now dominant Southampton, when the decisive goal came from Southampton’s number 8 Will Smallbone, with the fixture ending 2-1 in Southampton’s favour.
Nicole McNicholl