The Under-18's returned to winning ways with a 3-2 success over Fulham at Staplewood on Saturday morning.
The youngsters exited the F.A Youth Cup in midweek to The Cottagers' West London neighbours, QPR and unfortunately seemed to have picked up from where they left off as they went a goal down inside the opening four minutes of play at the Saints training ground.
A slick move from the visitors allowed their front men to get in behind the defence and slide the ball past Jack Dovey to make it 0-1.
Dave Puckett's side were playing the better football and were rewarded with a first half equaliser as Ben Reeves' free-kick was headed home by the returning Ryan Tafazolli who ended his work experience with Salisbury City last week.
From there on Saints moved up another gear but had to wait until the second period to make their possession count. A fine team move progressed on the left hand side was taken on by first year scholar Jordace Holder-Spooner who cut inside before striking the ball home to put the hosts in front.
Saints looked the more likely to score again but had Dovey to thank for keeping the advantage. A penalty was awarded in the 70th minute when Aarran Racine brought down a Lilywhites' forward which both players suffered knocks from serious enough to see both players replaced by substitutes.
Saints stopper Dovey went down to his right to keep out both the spot kick and the rebound which proved the catalyst for the next goal in the game.
Substitute Daryl McLean took the ball down the other end, squared the ball to Callum McNish and the midfielder's shot was followed in by a combination of Sam Hoskins and Jordan Keegan although it remains unclear as to who got the final touch as the goal was given.
Fulham didn't surrender however, and inside the last minute they pulled a goal back to set up a nervy ending after Hoskins had gone close to extending the hosts' lead.
The win means that Dave Puckett's side earned revenge for a 4-0 defeat against the Londoners earlier in the season, which the Youth Team Coach was happy to achieve.
"The general feeling is that we gave the response that we thought we would to the disappointment of midweek, so that is a plus for us," he said.
"It was a disappointing start but we played good football and in the end we think we got what we deserved from the game."
Saints Under-18's: Dovey, Robinson, Racine (Martin 70), Tafazolli, Reeves, Preen (McLean 75), McNish, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Holder-Spooner, Keegan, Hoskins. Subs (not used): Mowthorpe, Harper, Isgrove.
