Good Afternoon, we’re at St Mary’s Stadium today as the ‘legends’ of Saints take on the ‘legends’ Red Devils to mark the 50th anniversary of Southampton’s FA Cup victory over United.
47′ Lambert has the first shot of the second half, from long range he hits it straight at the keeper.
Easy save for Van Der Gouw.
46′ We’re underway for the second half of the game.
Second half is about to begin, players are out of the tunnel…
Both sides have had their fair share of chances, a lot of missed opportunities.
Not much dribbling happening, but a good show of passing and skill.
Many legends have still got their flair.
Half Time 1-1.
45+2′ GOAL UNITED
Goal: Phil Bardsley
Assist: Antonio Valencia
Bardsley takes the corner but over cooks it.
The ball is regathered by United and put back into the box, Valencia plays it back to an open Bardsley at the back post.
Bardsley slots it home into the far left hand corner.
45+1′ Gibson opens up and takes aim, Forecast makes a good save, United corner.
45′ Two minutes added on.
44′ Lamberts free kick is on target but saved.
44′ Lambert stands over the ball…
43′ Saints have a free kick on the edge of the box.
A bad challenge by Djemba-Djemba on Wanyama, a clean swipe of the legs.
40′ Saints have their first attack in 10 minutes, Pele gets a shot of on edge of box but its straight at the keeper.
Van Der Gouw catches it with ease.
39′ Simpson puts in a good cross from the left, Campbell is open in the box but can’t jump high enough.
38′ Valencia has been the best player on the pitch and has clearly been in the gym lifting heavy weights, I wouldn’t want to go against him in an arm wrestle!
36′ The game has started to slow down, lot of short passing by United, Saints struggle to maintain possession.
33′ Le Tissier is player manager today for the Saints, he said pre match he just wants simple football from the saints.
He’s got that so far, a classic 4-4-2 and keeping United out for the moment.
But pressure is building up the Saints end.
27′ Huge penalty shout for United.
Valencia causes trouble again on the right wing, he’s brought down by a sliding Benali in the penalty area but the referee waves on.
26′ Surman on the volley puts it wide.
A great effort, arriving late in the box and takes it on the volley.
25′ United come close to an equaliser, Bardsley chips Forecast from a tight angle.
But Saints defenders are back to clear off the line.
22′ First substitute of the game, Saha is off.
Fraizer Campbell comes on in his place.
Saha comes off to a round of applause by the crowd.
20′ After the shot, Saha is now down holding his groin, a short break in play while he is attended to.
20′ Saha shows of his skill, shoots from edge of the box but his effort is wide.
18′ United’s Captain Johnsen is found on the second corner, but his header goes out for a goal kick.
17′ Bardsley’s corner is tipped out for Forecast for another corner on far side.
17′ United have their first corner of the game.
13′ GOAL SAINTS!!!
Goal: Lee Barnard
Assist: Andrew Surman
Surman with a great bit of skill down the left hand side, puts a low cross into the box.
Barnard flicks the ball on first time past Van Der Gouw to score.
12′ What a save by Forecast!
Again Valencia down the right wing is open, he squares the ball to Saha.
Saha attempt on target is saved by Forcecast.
11′ Saints have a first corner of the match, but United keeper Van Der Gouw collects the cross with ease.
10′ A lot of passing, not much dribbling, but the legend still have their skill!
7′ Rickie Lambert collects a long ball over the top, but couldn’t pick a Saints player out in the box.
3′ I’m not sure how Berbatov has missed that chance, the ball pea rolled towards onto post, should’ve been one nil United.
3′ Huge chance for United!
Antonio Valencia makes a brilliant run down the right hand side with the ball.
Squares it across to an open Dimitar Berbatov in the six yard box.
But the number 9 hits the post!
2′ A few wayward passes to start the match from both sides, I think its been a while for these legends…
But Saints are putting the pressure on early.
1′ We have kick off at St Marys Stadium
The clock has been wound back, as past legends will come out to play for the 3pm kick off.
The players are out the tunnel, plenty of applause for all the legends from a good turnout by Saints fans
The line up for United…
Starting 11; Raimond Van Der Gouw (GK), Phil Bardsley, Ronny Johnsen, Wes Brown, Danny Simpson, Darron Gibson, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Antonio Valencia, Louis Saha, Danny Webber, Dimitar Berbatov
Subs; Bojan Djordic, Danny Pugh, Fraizer Campbell, Kevin Pilkington
The line up for Saints…
Starting 11; Tommy Forecast (GK), Frazer Richardson, Jos Hooiveld, Michael Svensson, Franny Benali, Andrew Surman, Victor Wanyama, Jo Tessem, Pele, Rickie Lambert, Lee Barnard
Subs; Mark Blake, Matt Le Tissier, Glenn Cockerill, Ken Monkou, David Hughes, Mark Forbes, Sam McQueen.
