Dom Ballard bagged a hat-trick as Southampton thrashed Fulham’s under 21s 5-0 at AFC Totton this evening – ending the young Whites’ eight-match winning streak.
In-form forward Ballard scored twice in the first half to give Southampton a commanding cushion and any hopes that Hayden Mullins’ men had of rescuing a point disappeared five minutes into the second period when Callum Osmand was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident. Saints wasted little time in making the most of their numerical advantage with Sam Amo-Ameyaw adding a third before Ballard completed his treble and Derrick Abu fired in the fifth.
The outcome might have been different had Osmand buried an early chance after seizing on some poor play at the back by Southampton’s defence but the Welsh youth international fired fractionally wide from inside the area. Southampton sought to make the early running with Amo-Ameway lashing over the bar from long range, but they wouldn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock.
The opening goal arrived from a set-piece as Ballard, back in the side after returning from a disappointing loan spell at Blackpool, punished Fulham for failing to clear a corner – by spinning sharply and beating Alfie McNally from close range. Abu spurned a good chance to double the lead shortly afterwards when a poor touch allowed McNally to rush from his line and avert the danger during a one-on-one.
Fulham struggled to carve out clear-cut chances despite enjoying a decent amount of possession, with Terrell Works heading wide and Aaron Loupalo-Bi seeing a deflected effort smothered by the recalled Gavin Bazunu. Osmand was also denied by the highly-rated Saints keeper before Loupalo-Bi shot wide on the follow-up.
Southampton doubled their lead on the stroke of half when Ballard easily converted a penalty after he had been tripped by Chibby Nwoko. They kept going at the start of the second half with Abu drilling an effort straight at McNally and, after Osmand had been sent off for violent conduct, the hosts ruthlessly exploited their extra man.
Fulham fought hard with Nwoko firing wide from a promising position, but Southampton’s attacks had the greater penetration. Amo-Ameyaw, who was lively throughout, stroked in a deserved goal with a lovely low finish from just outside the box after a piece of peerless control. Amo-Ameyaw swiftly turned provider, setting up Ballard for his hat-trick – with the forward showing true poacher’s instincts to beat McNally from close range.
Matthew Etherington’s side looked in complete command by now with McNally making another excellent reaction stop to tip over Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh’s finish after a sweet Saints passing move that culminated in Joy Robinson putting the midfielder through on goal. The home side did add a fifth in added time when Abu got his name on the scoresheet after an excellent display from full back. He squeezed a shot past McNally from an acute angle after excellent approach play by Cameron Bragg.
And Ballard completed his hat-trick on 69 minutes, nipping in to poke past McNally for the home side’s fourth.
McNally was forced into a smart reflex save by Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh after Southampton passed their way through the Fulham defence, and they did get a fifth in the dying embers when Abu squeezed in from a tight angle.
Confirmation that Fulham’s luck was well and truly out came when Brad de Jesus rattled the frame of the goal with a ferocious shot and Loupalo-Bi sent the follow up wide of Bazunu’s goal.
SOUTHAMPTON UNDER 21s (5-3-2): Bazunu, Abu, Fry, Moore, Kayi Sanda (Tabares 66), Bragg, Robinson, O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Ballard (Dipepa 74), Amo-Ameyaw, Welington (Sesay 45). Subs (not used): Mohamed, Akachukwu.
BOOKED: Bragg.
GOALS: Ballard (9, pen 44, 69), Amo-Ameyaw, (60), Abu (90).
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-3-3): McNally, Gofford (Olyott 81), Esenga (Park 81), Amissah, Nsasi, Nwoko (Lanquedoc 67), Loupalo-Bi, Donnell, Osmand, Šekularac, Works (de Jesus 80). Subs (not used): Underwood.
BOOKED: Donell, Nsasi.
SENT OFF: Osmand (53),
REFEREE: Stephen Parkinson
