Saints coach Martin Hunter is confident his side are well positioned to win the Under-21 Premier League Cup after they drew the first leg of the final 0-0 away to Blackburn.

Last night’s result, which was the least the visitors deserved, means it is all to play for when the teams meet again at St Mary’s next Monday evening.

“I am very pleased,” said Hunter. “The work that we’ve done on the training ground has paid us dividends.

Daily Echo:

Ryan Seager watches as his header goes just over the bar (Photo: Matt Watson/Southampton FC)

“They are direct to say the least and very aggressive so, particularly in the first half, we weathered that storm and played some good football.

“In the second half it was a different story – we played too long – but that’s 50 per cent of the job done. Now we’re looking forward to next week at St Mary’s.”

Hunter, who was particularly delighted with a clean sheet, added: “It now gives us a level playing field and, at St Mary’s, where the pitch is slick to say the least, we fancy our chances.”

 

 

Saints’ intentions were clear from the moment the teamsheets were announced, with Hunter naming six players in his starting line-up who boasted a combined 26 first-team appearances this season.

Blackburn, by contrast, had just one player who had featured for their senior side this term – keeper David Raya, who had turned out only once.

It was no surprise, therefore, that Saints controlled much of the match, even on a pitch that will not be of the quality they enjoy next week.

Keeper Paulo Gazzaniga was untroubled all night, while Hunter’s men carved out a few good chances at the other end.

Sam McQueen had the clearest opportunity of the first half, flashing a shot just wide of the far post, but it was in the closing stages where Saints really piled the pressure on.

The best chance fell to Ryan Seager, who headed a McQueen corner just over from close range after Raya had missed the in-swinging delivery.

Substitute Jake Sinclair also forced the Rovers keeper into a smart late save, as he drilled in a low strike.

Defender Matt Targett said: “We had chances to win it, but we know we’re going back to St Mary’s with a 0-0 draw, and it’s probably in our hands now, knowing that the pitch at St Mary’s will be like a carpet that we can play our passing game on.”

A crowd of 995, including some hardy travelling fans watched the tie, and almost 2,000 tickets have already been sold for next week’s game.

Daily Echo:

Saints fans cheer on their under-21 team at Ewood Park (Photo: Matt Watson/Southampton FC)

On the prospect of a big second-leg crowd, Hunter said: “It’d be absolutely massive. To have a good crowd at St Mary’s cheering the lads on would mean a lot to them.

“It will be a fantastic atmosphere in a game that’s set up for us to show what we can do.”

One downside for Saints was the loss of striker Sam Gallagher to a rib injury late on, with Hunter saying they will have to see how the problem pans out.

BLACKBURN: Raya, Nyambe, Doyle, Thomson, Lavelle, Jones, Green (Mansell 38), Bauress, Rittenberg (Joel 90+3), Carson, Mahoney.
Subs: Daly, Crump, Tanner.

SAINTS: Gazzaniga, Mugabi, McCarthy, Wood, Targett, Gape, Reed, Hesketh, Gallagher (Sinclair 81), Seager, McQueen (Sims 81).
Subs: Britt, Slattery, Debayo.

Att: 995.