U18 Professional Development League
Tuesday 7 May 2024
Played at Bramall Lane
SUFC 2023/24 Game #68
NBDR
No Beer Don't Read
An infrequent Bramall Lane run out for the U18s. Ending with a superb 90 +5 winner for Jackson Blaize.
Only one U18 game left this season. Which I won't be able to get to. So that's my U18 season done. As I sometimes point out, this Blog also serves as my diary. So indulge me while I make a quick record of my Under 18 season.
Just six games for me in 2023/24. Three league games at Shirecliffe. One away at Barnsley. That home FA Youth Cup game played at Scunthorpe United FFS. And tonight at The Lane.
Our U18s have been also rans this season. We'll finish just above mid table. Ten or a dozen points ish off the play off places. Results earlier in the week had made it more difficult for the Young Owls to reach the play offs. So, there was added spiciness as a draw or win for us would mean they'd miss the play offs. Which they will.
United started with a Trialist in goal. That was Will Murdock. Still only 16. He's in Manchester United’s system. He's also in the Northern Ireland youth system. He did OK. Although he looked a bit out of position and flappy at times as he came for crosses.
Okyere in the middle of a three in front of Will. Tahir on the left. With Frankie Jones out wide. Jack Waldron at right wing back. And this continuing experiment with Zach Giggs at right centre back. After they went for the Subs on 80, Zach was shifted to conventional left back in a four.
Marshall Francis and Noah Kiwomya up top. Very fluid in midfield - Aston, Blaize and Christie-Crainie.
Overall, it was a harem scarem hot potato game. Neither team really exerting any control. When not getting rid of it quickly for no reason, United were pedestrian at times. Just before half time in particular, we looked like letting Wednesday get a hold of the game.
We had a great chance on 20. Archie CC burst through and fed Kiwomya perfectly. Noah took it in his stride. If he'd gone down under the pressure, he might have got a Penalty. He stayed up, hit the keeper and couldn't get the rebound sorted.
The Curse of the Youngsters Cramps at Bramall Lane hit on 70. Sam Aston and Jackson Blaize both needing treatment at the same time. While a number of Wednesday players were doing all the stretching the calves stuff.
What with that, and players tiring, the game opened into a bit more chaos. On 78, Jack Hall in the Wednesday nets made two great saves from Blaize and sub Riley McLachlan.
And, Wednesday had a chance to win it on 90. A header back into the mixer. But the Wednesday player missed his horizontal volley thing attempt completely.
Which left us with the calmest head in the gaff on 90 +5. Was that Waldron who won two fifty fifties on the right? Then someone fed Blaize’s perfect run. Three touches to get inside the box. Has a quick think. And beats the keeper low to his left.
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