12-03-2025
'Joe was outstanding' - Saints loanee nets first brace as he makes senior point
SAINTS loanee Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh netted his first professional brace to help Accrington Stanley to a 5-0 win over Newport County.
Accrington made a dream start after four minutes when Ireland youth international O'Brien-Whitmarsh raced forward and fired low into the net.
O'Brien-Whitmarsh, 19, who scored his first EFL goal last week, later celebrated a brace after 53 minutes, rifling home from 20 yards.
Manager John Doolan said: 'Joe was outstanding, his second-half goal was world class, both with his left foot, you can't ask for any more."
Having scored four goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances, O'Brien-Whitmarsh now has three goals in three stars for League Two Accrington.
The midfielder, who captained Saints under-21s before departing on loan in January, hopes to push for a senior place at St Mary's next season.
Elsewhere, Saints striker Dom Ballard netted his first goal for relegation-threatened Cambridge United, against Blackpool in League One.
The Tangerines turned the match around despite Ballard's third-minute chipped opener and won 2-1, leaving Cambridge 10 points adrift of safety.
