Professional Development League
Monday 24 October 2022
Played at Leyland County Ground
SUFC 2022/23 Game #25
"You go to a lot of U21 games, Phil"
"Do the U21s play the same way as the first team?"
"Too fucking right they do. One team goes three up and there's no guarantee that team will win!!!"
Thoroughly enjoyable game out at Leyland. The Young Blades were 3-0 up in 53 minutes. But only a point blank save from Jordan, off essentially the last header of the game, stopped it being threes each.
Apart from Sydie Fleck, the big news for Big Blades was that Jack Robinson and Reda Khadra had been sent up to Leyland in the first team limo to avoid the Bantz on the academy chara'.
Robinson set up as left centre back. Which is exactly where we might need him in the first team. He lasted until 83 minutes. When he was hauled for Nicksoen Gomis. The Carrier Bag Firm were over by the dugouts at that time. Jack looked OK to us as he came off. Blowing a bit maybe. But, nice & smiley & upright.
Poor old Nix seemed to have been warming up since the early 30s. Nix was shown the iPad, and I was sure he was coming on. Just at that mo', Robinson burst through the line in the left channel. And stayed up there marauding after he lost it. I'd like to think that had made Robinson go - Fuck Yeah - I'm staying on for as long as I can.
Nix even went back to the rooms at HT. Again, surely Robbo would sit back and have two oranges. But. No. He's jogging out for the second half like a good 'un.
He was set as the Zone Man at defensive corners. He won't be doing that for the first team. But, it did mean he got a few competent, banged out cleared headers. Otherwise, the 83 minutes has got to be good news. A straightforward and sound game, if a little rusty earlier on.
In the first minute of the second half, he made a lot of ground to get to his man, who had gone deep. But, he got way too tight, and he got turned and left for dead. That could have easily lead to a Burnley goal.
And then. On 53, Jack came very deep again to win the ball. This time, he stayed live and showed for it wide left. His low cross was into the Louie Marsh Area. A trademark steer home made that 3-0.
Technically, Burnley's first on 59 came down Jack's side. It was actually a good counter attack. Jack was up for a United corner. I noticed Ky Gordon sprinting to get back to his position. Although Robinson put some yards in, that side was a bit open. But, Jordan won't be happy. He was well positioned to deal with the straight at him shot. Which somehow went straight through him. (See earlier comments re making amends right at the death).
Right. Next up. Reda Khadra. He lasted until 65 minutes. Hauled off for Theo Williams. The system was fluid at times. And, ever more so as the game went on. But, essentially Reda set up as the left of a front two (with Louie Louie Marsh). Is that how we're thinking of using him on first team days? It means his main attacking threat is coming inside on a mad mazy with the ball on his right foot. To me, that seems a bit predictable.
Anyway. Can't fault his impact. In a don't often see them Blades counter attack from a Brunlea corner on 11, Reda is near enough on the edge of his own penalty area. As 'dre Brooks (I think) gets it, Reda makes a powerful give me the ball run down the left. A great ball finds him running at pace, towards goal, just in his own half. He comes across one defender, draws two more. But then rolls it right on the toe of Blaster the Blaster Arblaster in the right hand channel. Lovely calm finish. (Incidentally, Oliver had an otherwise quiet game by his standards).
The Young Blades certainly worked hard at getting Reda on the ball. (At least) Twice working corner routines (different sides, different kickers) to him on the edge of the box. Juries out.
But, really, Marsh. On 33, Andre made a great break down the left. His low cross was steered home by Louie. Two Nil. (Incidentally, Robinson helped earlier in the move by drawing a man out into the Left Triangles).
Superb skill just a minute later as Marsh, in the centre circle, with his back to goal, deliciously helped it into Andre's stride. He took it on well, and really should have scored, but hit the keeper.
And, maybe even better tekkers on 49. Jili Buyabu played a long high cross. Marsh with the - watch it drop onto my foot - technique. Hit the far post with a KLANG.
And then the already described third from the Robinson Assist.
Burnley got stronger towards the end. Marcel Lewis #7 causing all sorts of problems on our left. But, we got it home.
Every town should have a Leyland County Ground. I've now been to matches where Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and (now) Burnley have used it for Academy games. North End need to pull their finger out. It's nearer to them than the others. Meanwhile, as facilities in the Home Of Football get sparser & sparser, we're at York City.
And, if you stand on a stool, in the second room of the bar, just where the extractor fan is, and crane your neck, leaning as far to the left as possible, you can see the Leyland turnstiles from;
The Market Ale House
33 Hough Ln, Leyland PR25 2SB
which is open Monday afts….
Three pukka craft keg. Six cask.
Lancaster Brewery, Chinook on Cask at 4.2%
Great beer. Much more of a hop bitter kick than I was expecting. Some grapefruit up top. Settles into sugar. But, that bitterness comes early.
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