Two more Trialists

Sheffield United U21 2 v Ipswich Town U21 1

Monday 18 April 2016

U21 Professional Development League 2, North

Played at Bramall Lane

Twitter @ball_sup

The U21 Blades got it over the line. Sentinel Brewing Co. didn’t.

I mean, just how do they think that'll play out? Sentinel Brewery on Shoreham St. The Ball Sup Army's natural home. They've launched. They're open. Twitter & a Website. Clearly says open Mondays. They weren't. What goes through their heads. “Ah, you know what, we'll put - Open Mondays - but sometimes we'll not bother & hope no one turns up”.

I've minced off somewhere else obviously. Amateur Hour.  Superb pint of Redpoint Brewing, 台.P.A. on cask at 5%. (Parent brewery is in Taiwan).

So, after other results, I’m fairly certain we’ve finished 2nd in the North. And that Charlton have won the South. Meaning, we’ll go to theirs for the Play Off Semi Final. Not over yet, we’ve got a Dead Rubber in S6 later this week. But, what a season for the U21s (so far).

United were utterly dominant in the first half. Chance after chance. Diego in particular will be disappointed not to have scored. He even managed to miss a penalty right at the end. I’ll not knock the lad. He had a good game & was unlucky. But, gotta put them away. For the second goal, he brought down a ball on the penalty spot. Got his body position right. Held off his man. Held the ball up. But, you know, I’m going to call it. He fell over. And poacher Jamie McDonagh was there to zip it home.

Different story in the second half. As Ipswich came more & more into it. Partly helped by United subbing both the starting centre halfs and ending with Julian Banton & Jo Cummings there. All-in-all a great shift from every white shirt with a hint of red - subs an’ all.  Tel Kennedy started. Not seen him for a few weeks. Usual stalwart self. He did 70 minutes. But, jogged off - not an injury scare.

Alongside Tel was a Trialist. James Graham. Do your own googling. I’m assuming he’s the fella from the Everton Youth system. He lasted to 75 minutes. Set up conventionally in a back four with Tel. Did Ok the fella. Looked sharp enough. Dealt with things. Didn’t look out of place. Maybe a bit rusty on positions a few times, but quick enough to recover.

And, wide left was Trialist Alex O’Hanlon. Do your own googling. I’m assuming he’s the fella from the Liverpool youth system. Basically wide left in a midfield four. Although with Reed & the excellent Harvey Gilmour bossing the middle box-to-box, O’Hanlon took a more attacking role.  Indeed, he upped his value early on. A storming run through the middle from Gilmour. He slipped it to O’Hanlon. But, he still had a lot to do. Calm on the ball. Ran with it laterally across the box. Took aim and knocked a superb goal in. Bright & breezy for the rest of the game. Looked a good ‘un. But, no better than our own David Brooks - except a bit bigger.

Both Trialists can be happy with their work. Adkins was there.

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