Professional Development League
Tuesday 31 October 2023
Played at Peterborough United Training Ground
SUFC 2023/24 Game #19
NBDR - No Beer Don't Read
Peterborough's Academy/Training Ground has moved into the Top Three Carrier Bag Firm ranked Academy Grounds in the country. Alongside Swansea and Barnsley.
You see, unlike spectator unfriendly and unwelcoming crapholes like Shirecliffe, Swansea, Barnsley and Peterborough have stands, which supporters can sit in, comfortably and out of the rain, to watch the match.
There is a longstanding commitment for my Will to bequeath money for The Blades to build a spectator stand at Shirecliffe. The main stipulation being that it will be named, in perpetuity, the No Scouts Stand. Who's with me?
Peterborough had a first team game in the evening in the EFL Trophy. They beat Spurs U21 three one. Good lads. That evening kick off meant that some Peterborough first teamers were in and around the training ground when the CBF-Mobile parked up.
Now. At Shirecliffe. That would have meant another fucking Behind Closed Doors game. With the CBF told to Royally Fuck Off. But, not at Be-Spectator-Standed Posh. It was politely explained to us (at the gate) that we couldn't go up to the pitch yet, because some first teamers were still going through the cones. But, we were welcome to go into The Hub. Where we could use the toilets and get drinks and snacks out of the vendings. Proper Club.
As I write, The Young Blades top the North Group by four points above a resurgent Sheffield Wednesday U21. (We have a game in hand). Peterborough United, despite their high Carrier Bag Firm ranking, remain rock bottom. With just four points from their ten games. Remember, no Promotion and Relegation from this Academy level.
Maybe Posh could have got something out of this game. United's winner came late on, in the 86th - and a penalty at that.
Jordan Amissah in the all white keeper kit in the mud. Chaz of Staniland doing the right wing back duties. Ben Drake ditto left. Pitan, Sasnauskas, and young Evan Easton right to left across the three. Hampson, Peck and Brooks in the middle. Ryan Oné and 'nando Macedo up top.
Ryan's route to signing for us means there are expectations and even reputations. Hunted he was. And, he's got the physicals. Brute. Honestly, he didn't particularly look the part today. Posh had a Trialist at #9. Lively as fuck. Wrestling, shirt grabbing, leaning in.
"We should be trialing him…"
Said one of the CBF (quietly). Incidentally, our back three, although in a right old battle with T.Rialist, stayed strong and resolute - which was a plus.
In contrast, poor first touches and ball control was a problem for all of Oné, Macedo and to a lesser extent, Brooks. The midfielders were too willing to play back to the three, and them, in turn, back to Jord. And, not in a dominant possession way. But in a fucking hell hurried way. Couple that with the ball being eventually played out short, weak and inaccurately. And we got ourselves into some right old messes in the first half.
On 7, a bad ball out by Jordan left Evan Easton in a tangle. He very nearly brought his man down. And, we couldn't really see, but we think Peterborough hit the post in the melee. Jordan had to make a good strong wrist save on 13 to see the ball bounce over the bar. On 18, a great Peterborough ball into the box was right in the striker's stride. He went down as Amissah came out. My head said - Penalty. But the Ref booked the PUFC guy for simulation - without many complaints it has to be said.
Almost immediately, Easton gave it away. Peterborough played a great low ball in from their right. The first time strike was lovely. But thankfully just over. Macedo had a great chance early on. But that first third of the game was deffo all Peterborough.
Sydie Peck is an interesting watch. He has very quick feet and a good radar. He clearly thinks about what he wants to do. On 22, he very deliberately struck a power, lower trajectory cross from a free kick. Rather than just pump it up there. But, with his team under pressure, he is tempted by the cross field Hollywood a bit too often.
We were just doing our Oné assessment before half time. Basically - he'd been ordinary - a Big Bustling Kid. But, wouldn't you know it, he then had a productive ten minutes. Robbing his man on 39, marauding into the box, squaring it. But, unfortunately to no one in particular. He then had one disallowed for offside.
Half Time Nil Nil
The reset needed a whiteboard and a lot of sitting on cool boxes next to the Gazebos. On 49, Ryan O had the ball wide right. He calmly took his time, put his Big Bustling Kid mask away, and picked out the runner. He dropped it right on Owen Hampson. Who neatly side foot slotted it home.
That heralded a much better, bordering on great, spell by the Young Blades. Ryan put another one wide on 56. When it looked easier to score. And Owen Hampson thudded the bar with a long shot on 62.
However the Posh Pups equalised on 72. A Ryan Oné zone header from a Peterborough corner fell loose. Jordan actually made a great point blank save. But nobody could do anything as the rebound was knocked home.
Levis Pitan had gone off injured with a knock. That lead to a reshuffle. Sam Colechin coming on a RWB. (Pocket Rocket Midfielder) Staniland fucked around again and shifted to LWB. Ben Drake coming inside to LCB.
Ryan Oné was subbed (tactical) on 83. I thought it was drifting for a draw at that point. But, makeshift left wing back Staniland, having been moved from makeshift right wing back, channeled his inner running midfielder. Peck played him in and he was brought down. Peck penned emphatically. And that brought it home 2-1 for The Blades.
Good stand though.
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