Equalised at the death

Sheffield United U23 1 v Barnsley U23 1 

Professional Development League 

Monday 3 February 2020 

Played at Chesterfield 

England 400 all out 

South Africa 183 all out 

England 248 all out 

South Africa 274 all out 

England win by 191 runs 

Monday 27 January 2020 

4th Test 

Played at The Wanderers, Johannesburg 

Crystal Palace 0 v Sheffield United 1 

Premier League 

Saturday 1 February 2020 

SUFC 2019/20 Games 50 & 51 

South African different Beer Ticks - 145 

Twitter @ball_sup 

www.twitter.com/ball_sup 

Untappd ball_sup 

Sheffield United U23s have recently shipped out Parkhouse, Sheppeard, Mallon, York, Broadbent & Ndiaye. So, we’re left with what we’re left with. And, what we’re left with is a highly competent set of U18 players. Who have only lost 3 in 18 at that level. And, recently ran Category 1 Academy, Fulham, close in the FA Youth Cup. Set up as a back three. Belehouan on the right, Ashton Hall in the middle & Gomis on the left. Tommy Williams out wide right, Boyes wide left. Gaxha & Ompreon up top. Zak Brunt, Harrison Neal & Callum Gribbin midfielding. Wilder & Knill in attendance.

The Young Blades only equalised with two minutes left. And, technically, even that was an OG. But, really, we deffo deserved a point at least. We provided the main attacking intent. Although, no drama, Barnsley were well in it. They hit the woodwork twice. It’s true, a lot of our attacking was a bit one dimensional. Lots of channel balls aimed at Sammy Ompreon down the left. Chase it kid, chase it. It got a bit monotonous during the first half. And, wasn’t making owt happen. But, there were positives. I felt Belehouan & Gomis (in particular) were very effective on the old overlapping centre back malarkey. Gomis, Harry Boyes & Callum Gribbin combined a few times down the left. Making the runs. Trusting their mates. Running the angles. Triangles in fact. The tone was set right from the off. Those three combining well. A deep cross from the left finding Belehouan, one of the other centre backs out wide right.

On 18, Gribbin & Gomis double teamed in midfield to try & rob the Barnsley fella. It was actually Gribbin who came away with it. Gomis obvs knew his job. Sailing off down the left wing screaming for it.

I was impressed by Zak Brunt tonight. He covers a lot of ground. He’s got a mean deep high at pace corner on him. As United chased the game late on, I noticed (coach) Andrew Hughes directing that Zak should take the dead balls. Zak has got very quick feet and, tonight, he constantly wanted to attack his man & get through the line. We conceded just before half time. Barnsley were a handful at times. Attacking at pace & catching our lot out of position. They caught two centre backs out wide left. And a bit flat footed. The cross was only half stopped. It fell just right & the fella has banged it home. Barnsley also caught us cold on 49. Building quickly down our right & hitting the post. Despite some positives for United, we kept giving it away & losing possession. Very frustrating.

We had a great spell around the hour. Gomis & Gribbin (again) combined well & fed Tommy Williams running wide right. He drilled one across, but the keeper palmed it for a corner. From that, Jean Belehouan & Nickseon Gomis actually got in each other's way at the back stick - great chance. That was summing it up basically. Pretty good on the build up. Not a great deal happening up top. And nowhere near clinical enough for the few chances that did fall. Reece York, who is supposed to be playing for Hyde United was chucked on with 10 left. That sort of had the desired impact. We went a bit more direct & dynamic. Leo Gaxha had a difficult night. Found it tricky to get in the game. But, fair do. He battled hard to get on the ball on the left byline. Knocked it across. And it turned into an OG as matey has tried to clear it. As I’ve said, deserved that. A bit disjointed, but partly that was the difference between the great (at times) build up play between wing backs, centre backs & midfield & the lack of anything really happening for the twin strikers.

Stats

I have now Blogged from 902 games in 1,994 days