Southampton: Saints’ Under-23s promoted back to top division via play-offs
By Marc Walker
Southampton’s Under-23s have been promoted back to the top division of Under-23s Premier League football after a play-off victory over Newcastle United.
The Saints youngsters won 2-1 at St Mary’s this evening and return to the top-flight after just one season in the second-tier.
They took the all important lead on their home ground in the 39th minute when a weak Newcastle clearance from a corner was headed home by Dan N’lundulu.
A well-worked second then came nine minutes into the second-half as Tyreke Johnson was on hand to head in Jake Vokins pinpoint cross, and the two-goal margin proved enough to win the game despite a late Newcastle reply from Owen Bailey.
A successful campaign overall came to a close for Radhi Jaidi’s side at the final whistle and they return to play with the country’s best teams – along with fellow promotion winner Wolves – for the next campaign.
GOAL: #SaintsFCU23s 2-0 #NUFC U23s (@TyrekeJohnson_ 52')#SaintsFC's youngsters in complete control now! Wonderfully crafted goal on the break! 👏 pic.twitter.com/K48hXRscqI
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 13, 2019
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The Under-23s also had a good run in the Premier League International Cup this season and got to the semi-final stage before being knocked out by Dinamo Zagreb.
A number of players have been able to make an impression on the first-team stage too. Others will hope to be following in the footsteps of Yan Valery, Josh Sims and Callum Slattery next year by featuring in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans.
With the senior team avoiding relegation from the Premier League fairly comfortably, success has been seen by the club’s other teams too.
Saints’ Women’s side won their league in their first season without dropping a point and have ambitions of getting to the Women’s Super League in the near future.
Some significant investment in the team is being made and they have former England coach Marianne Spacey-Cale providing her wealth of experience at the helm.
The club’s Under-18s finished fourth in their Southern division too and will continue to be linked closely to both the Under-23s and first-team setups.
Saints team: Jack Rose, Christoph Klarer, Alfie Jones, Aaron O’Driscoll, Jake Vokins, Thomas O’Connor, Callum Slattery (Harry Hamblin 80), Kayne Ramsay, Will Smallbone, Dan N’Lundulu (Marcus Barnes 70), Tyreke Johnson (Oludare Olufunwa 96)
Unused subs: Alex Cull, Will Ferry
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