Wednesday 16th December 2009

Southampton progressed to the southern final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in the most dramatic fashion last night after beating Norwich City on penalties at St Mary's.
Saints were just seconds from being knocked out of the competition after trailing 2-1 going into stoppage time, but a last gasp goal from Papa Waigo N'diaye took the game to penalties. Substitute Wayne Thomas converted the decisive spot kick to give his side a 6-5 penalty win and set up an area final tie against MK Dons.
The hosts started the brighter side and took a well deserved lead on 14 minutes when Papa Waigo beat City's offside trap to go one on one with the 'keeper. The Senegalese international kept his composure and slotted the ball under the advancing Fraser Foster to make it 1-0.
The opening goal seemed to spark Norwich to life and they equalised on 33 minutes through Gary Doherty from 10 yards out.
The visitors were by far the stronger team in the second half and went 2-1 up 10 minutes after the restart when Chris Martin finished from close range after the Saints defence failed to clear the danger.
Southampton looked dead and buried and became increasingly frustrated by City's questionable time wasting tactics. But in the third minute of time added on, Rickie Lambert won a crucial header in the Norwich area, allowing Papa Waigo to finish low from six yards out, taking the game straight to penalties.
It took 16 spot kicks to separate the two teams in front of a noisy Northam stand. Lloyd James and Michail Antonio both missed from 12 yards out, but Bartosz Bialkowski's three penalty saves ensured that Wayne Thomas could send Saints through to the area final and he did just that.

Saints player ratings-

Bartosz Bialkowski - 8 - Made a great first half save and proved to be the shoot out hero.

Lloyd James - 6 - Held his position well at right back this time, but missed in the shoot out.

Chris Perry - 7 - Made an important goal line clearance in the second half and led the back four well.

Neal Trotman - 6 - An improved performance after his horror show against Brighton a few weeks ago.

Dan Harding - 7 - A real threat going forward and didn't neglect his defensive duties.

Morgan Schneiderlin - 6 - Struggled to get involved, subbed at half time because of injury.

Jacob Mellis - 6 - Started brightly but faded in the second half.

Dean Hammond - 7 - Covered the width of the pitch well, particularly in supporting Harding on the left wing.

Papa Waigo N'diaye - 8 - MAN OF THE MATCH - Scored the two all important goals and capped a good performance by converting his spot kick.

Adam Lallana - 7 - Played in a more central position than usual and looked comfortable there.

Rickie Lambert - 7 - Dominant in the air as always and stepped up confidently to score Southampton's first penalty.


Subs -

Paul Wotton (on for Schneiderlin) - 6 - Didn't play great after coming on for the whole of the second half, but made amends by scoring in the shoot out.

Michail Antonio (on for Mellis) - 6 - Caused problems for the Norwich defense down the right, but will be dissapointed to have missed a penalty.

Wayne Thomas (on for Perry) - 7 - Reliable at right back in the closing stages and kept a cool head to covert the winning spot kick.

After last night's drama, Saints now have three days to recover before travelling to Yorkshire to take on League One leaders Leeds United in what will be a difficult game.