U18 Professional Development League
Saturday 20 January 2024
Played at The Academy Ground, Barnsley
SUFC 2023/24 Game #37
NBDR No Beer Don't Read
A poor game out at Behind Oakwell. Lots of long ball and midfielders helping it on blind. Barnsley have been duking it out at the top of the North Group of late. After that result, they're second. Four points behind Birmingham City, with a game in hand. The Young Blades are a bit off the pace at the moment. Eighth (of eleven). Just 4 wins so far. Although we're stringing a good unbeaten run together.
I “was told” the U18s were a little disrupted. As a few had been promoted to train, travel and play with the U21s for the previous night v Reading at Aldershot. And, the frozen weather had canned that of course.
Coby Hewitson in goal. A conventional four of Seth Okyere, Jayden Prunty, Zain Tahir and Frankie Jones. Billy Blacker as quarterback. Blaize wide right. Francis wide left. Looked like lone striker Jevan Beattie to me. With Sam Aston in midfield and Ethan Cummings as a ten.
Beattie actually picked up a knock just as the first half ended. Treatment continued as the oranges came out. Unfortunately, Jevan couldn't make the second half. Sam Colechin came on. Set up as right wing back in a reshuffled five. The original four all shufting up one. More fluid formation up top for the second. Cummings and Marshall more pushed up at times.
A becoming the norm bit of bollocks getting into the Barnsley Academy Ground. They've built a new fence and gate. In front of the existing fence and gate. I guess to improve out of hours security. Those new gates protected by keypads & card swipe pads. I neither had the code, tried 1889 of course, nor a swipe card.
As I was trying to work it all out, I spied the Carrier Bag Firm GangMaster INSIDE the gates & complex. I phoned him immediately.
“How the fuck do you get in?”
“Wait for a car to come and for them to open the gates. And follow in behind them.”
Which is exactly what I did. FFS.
I need to report that the Young Blades and Staff were a bit snarling at times. I guess I don't mind it between team mates. Shows a bit of passion and thinking about the game.
On 38, Captain Prunty, using many rude words I'd never fucking use had a right go at Beattie for straying offside. A right old swearing row ensued over a 70 yard gap.
But, I hate it when the Staff get angry at players. Sure, it's a competitive environment. Sure, players have to know when they've “done wrong”. But, bawling and swearing and bullying from the touchline, for all to hear, at kids a third of your age is unedifying. This Academy has been built on explanation and support. Not that shit.
On 8, Barnsley put in a right wing cross. There was a missed defensive play in the six yard box by Prunty. The free header was saved well by Keeper Coby. One of the (it has to be said increasing number of) staff had a loud, sweary, angry go at Prunty. Who had a bit to say back.
“I saw him. I saw him. I fucking saw him.”
Chances at both ends were scarce. On 34, Francis broke down the left. But his cross was just out of Beattie’s reach. And, a little later, Hewitson did well (again) to deny Barnsley.
United were getting caught out a lot down our left. Even with the switch to a five, that continued.
Barnsley eventually opened it up, with a goal on 70. They worked it down the right. A deep cross was controlled on the left. And they were queuing up on the six yard line as it was squared back. One Nil.
Frankie Jones was tripped inside the box on 82. But, a combination of unlucky, but horrendous, from Marshall Francis. He slipped in his final stride and scooped the penalty miles wide.
Fair do. United were having their best spell as the Carrier Bag Firm were preparing to find the way out through the multiple gates. We had a header from Tahir more or less under the bar go over. And the pressure paid on 90. A corner on our right was hung up in the wind. Seth Okyere was under it. And put a powerful header in for the equaliser.
The GangMaster was going on to try some local MicroPubs. He went with my best wishes. I couldn't make it.
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