Six Game Season

Sheffield United Community Foundation U19 5 

v Rochdale 2 

National Football Youth League 

North Premier Division 

Friday 25 June 2021 

SUFC 2020/21 Games #6 

Played at Handsworth 

Recap. United field an ever larger number of teams across the leagues, ages & genders. Today, it's the National Football Youth League, North Premier Division. Players have in the past progressed from the NFYL to EFL Academies & Professional Contracts. It's not impossible. But it's a long road. For United, think of this as the Pre Academy. Exceptional players who do well have a chance of catching the eye for a place at Shirecliffe.

The National Football Youth League attempts to bridge the gap between, on the one hand, College football & on the other hand, Professional Club Academy football. It provides a pathway into professional football.

I'm not sure how, when, if they're going to get this Covid Compromised Season finished. In a "full season" you'd play 22 games. I understand the league has to finish next Wednesday, the last day of June. Liverpool & Tranmere Rovers have only played 15 games. United have now played 19 games (won 7, drawn 2, lost 10). And have one more scheduled (away) game. Today's opponents, Rochdale, have been one of the standout teams of the season. Second in the league on goal difference behind Carlisle United. Maybe, just maybe, they've both got just one game left to decide the title.

That will make the Rochdale lads all the more pissed off to have lost today. In what was a lively & enjoyable game up at Handsworth. United are firmly mid table. And, unless something mental happens, that will be the last (and only 6th) Carrier Bag Firm SUFC game of this (laughingly short) 2020-21 football season. I will remind you it is June 25. And our Right Back was wearing fucking gloves.

Rochdale had a lot of big, strong, strapping lads out there. Although they inevitably tired as the game reached it's death rattle. They came again after scrabbling it back to 4-2 on 82 minutes. And actually had a great chance to make it 4-3 on 84. United were reduced to 10 men on 90+1 (second bookable). But, we killed it off with our fifth on 90+3.

That scoreline probably flattered us a bit. The Rochdale big strappers were a very dangerous threat from corners. But, it was noticeable (and pleasing) that United were matching 'em in the battle. Constantly refusing to be pushed off the ball & standing their ground.

United opened the scoring on 6. With a whipped in corner from the right. Swept right into the mixer, with no Rochdalian Zone Man in sight. It actually dropped down to knee height. I couldn't really see who knocked it home (maybe even an OG).

A set piece equaliser on 14. A left footed free kick swung in high from the right. A great header from the back post, across the keeper & into the far corner. I felt Rochdale had the better of the first half.

But, a horrendous swing and a miss clearance by a Rochdale defender (on 53 minutes) left the College Blades #9 free to bang home on the left. And from then on United were on top and controlling until those mad last few minutes.

Three One on 56 minutes. From an I've not measured it myself personally but it's got to be 35 yards out free kick. One of those keep it low efforts. Lovely.

Four one on 68 minutes. Great strength from #9 to win it, hold it, lay it. And rifled home by the overlapping left full back. And, you can read the rest earlier in this piece. Very enjoyable game. Credit to both sides.

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