Premier League 2

Division 2

Friday 15th February 2019

Kick Off 19.00 Actual 18.59

Southampton U23 2 Fulham U23 1, attendance 80 (Official figure on PL Website is 126…must have included the security staff as well!)

38’ 1-0

51’ 2-0

80’ 2-1

@ Staplewood Campus, Pitch 4

Parks Farm

Long Lane

Marchwood

SO40 4WR

No Admission

Team Sheet, free.

I had previously seen Southampton U19 beat Crystal Palace 3-1 in a Premier League Academy match at the training ground in Marchwood back on 24th January 2004. In those days they played on what was the former ground of Road Sea Southampton F.C., who played in the Southern League at their peak, which was taken over by Southampton after the demise of the non league side.

Since then, the site has been redeveloped and expanded considerably. The pitch I did previously is still there, but the U16/U18 and U23 matches are now played on two of the new pitches, namely Pitch 3 and Pitch 4, which share a changing room block and viewing area that separates the two. Tonight’s match was on Pitch 4, which is the one that is floodlit and has a much larger seated area.

Southampton are one of the growing number of clubs who don’t allow run of the mill spectators in to watch their youth or reserve matches. However, thanks to a Fulham season ticket holder, who was able to get our names added to a guest list, we were able to gain entry, once a few routine questions were answered at the entrance.

Once inside, we were directed to the canteen, where we received free tea and coffee and as you reached the spectator area, we were given free team sheets (with the wrong date on). It was much more friendly than we were expecting, considering the excessive security presence.

As for the match, it was not as close as the score line would suggest. Southampton won it without breaking sweat. The opening goal was a 20 yarder that gave the ‘keeper no chance. They had a goal disallowed shortly afterwards, but made it 2-0, with a cushioned lob from close range, early in the second half. Fulham got a consolation goal, with a glancing header that beat home ‘keeper Fraser Forster, making a return from an injury lay off, with ten minutes left.