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Southampton beat Ajax in behind-closed-doors friendly.

A Saints XI beat an Ajax XI in a friendly at the Staplewood Campus this afternoon.

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

A blend of youth and first team players were in the side that saw Saints beat Ajax 4-0 at Southampton's training complex. Goals from Armani Little, Juanmi, Cuco Martina and Jake Hesketh were enough to see off their opponents in a wet and windy day on the south coast.

Ronald Koeman watched on as his side, captained by Steven Caulker, dominated the first half proceedings and scored all four of their goals in the opening half.

Saints opened the scoring when Aschraf El Mahdioui brought down Juanmi who showed some quick feet to get past the Ajax defender. Despite the foul taking place inside the penalty box, the referee awarded a free kick which was taken by youth player Armani Little. Little curled the free kick neatly around the wall and into the far post.

Saints doubled their lead in the 15th minute. Ryan Seager was played through on the right hand side and he squared the ball to Juanmi. The £5m summer signing slid through to put the ball in the back of the net from close range.

Saints continued their first half dominance and made it 3-0 four minutes later. Little's inswinging cross evaded Ajax defenders and found its way to the unmarked Cuco Martina who was able to nod the ball into the net at the back post.

Saints made it 4-0 five minutes before half time. Little's free kick was headed away poorly and fell to Jake Hesketh. The youngster produced a low volley that flew into the back of the net to send the Saints into half time with a 4-0 win after a ruthless display.

Ajax were difficult to break down in the second half but Saints still dominated. Jake Hesketh was Saints' most dangerous man in the second half but Koeman's men struggled to make any clear cut chances. The performances of Saints' squad players and youth players will have pleased the Southampton boss and set the side up well for the match against Stoke City on Saturday.

Saints team that played Ajax: Gazzaniga, Valery, Debayo, Romeu, Martina, Caulker (c), Little, Reed, Seager, Juanmi, Hesketh.

Saints substitutes: Bakary, Lewis (GK), Gape, Wood, Johnson, Wilkin, Olomola