Sheffield United (U21s) 2-1 Barnsley (U21s)

Sheffield United (U21s) 2-1 Barnsley (U21s)

Professional Development League

Friday 3rd March 2023

This was the classic game of two halves as Sheffield United’s U21s extended their lead to 19 points at the top of the Professional Development League (North) table.

In a South Yorkshire derby played in York (bizarre, I know), Oli Shaw’s goal had Barnsley ahead for a while but after United’s intensity improved in the second half, they got a bit of luck with a heavily-deflected equaliser from Antwoine Hackford before Louie Marsh stole the show (as he often does in these games) when he produced a bit of quality for the match-winning moment not long afterwards.

When the two sides met in the reverse fixture earlier this season, the Blades were put to the sword by a ruthless Barnsley (a game I enjoyed quite a lot) and it was nice to see two familiar names included again; one in both line-ups with Aiden Marsh and Will Osula both back following spells on the sidelines.

The first half was really good by Barnsley because they were the better team from an early point; working hard together and producing chances.

The first big moment came inside five minutes when Miguel Freckleton blocked a shot on the line and not long after that, there was a more clearer-cut opening when Josh Martin fed Oli Shaw but the most experienced player on the pitch lacked a bit of composure and didn’t test Callum Yam in goal for the Blades.

United didn’t offer too much albeit Jordan Helliwell had to produce a timely clearance from one of Oliver Arblaster’s corners that caught a flick on to keep it 0-0.

Instead, most of the play was in the midfield and when Barnsley next created an opening, they took advantage of it as Shaw this time showed the composure he lacked with his earlier opportunity as he reached a ball over the top, bore down on goal and unleashed a powerful drive across Callum Yam and into the bottom corner.

The Reds then pressed for more before half-time.

One of the most intriguing battles of the game involved Sai Sachdev and Eduino Vaz who were directly up against each other, and when the Reds trialist (named on the team-sheet) showed a bit of good footwork to weave his way into the box, his resulting cross had to be intercepted at the expense of a corner. From the resulting corner, the ball came out to Harrison Nejman on the edge of the box who fired over.

And there was one last chance before half-time when Josh Martin won a free-kick following a good run, took it, and saw his effort palmed away by Yam. The ball was then recycled back to Martin who curled a second effort over the target.

At the break, there was no doubt that Barnsley deserved to be ahead.

The Blades did have quite a bit of the ball in the first half; Oliver Arblaster came into things more after a quiet start but for all their possession, they never really created that much and a (very) speculative shot by Jili Buyabu was all they mustered up in open play!

But in the second half, probably after a few words said in the dressing room, the intensity improved significantly and soon enough Owen Hampson and Will Osula linked up in a move which saw the latter have the Blades’ first shot on target with a curling strike that Rogan Ravenhill palmed away.

Osula suddenly looked sharper and another dangerous moment occurred when he flashed a ball through the six-yard box. As Callum Yam (vocal for his age and very confident) shouted from the other end: ‘Good energy. Keep it up’.

As the hour mark came, Barnsley forced a half-chance which on another day they might have put away as Yam used his feet to cut out a ball from the byline towards his near-post and although Helliwell was well poised to follow up on the edge of the six-yard box, his effort was blocked and United cleared their lines.

A planned change then occurred with about 20 minutes to go as Osula was replaced by George Dickinson - a result of which saw Louie Marsh move upfront, and within a minute, the Blades had an equaliser as Marsh’s new strike partner received possession on the edge of the box and hit a shot which took a wicked deflection and looped into the net.

And, just remember, if that one in the Carabao Cup Final last week is good enough for Marcus Rashford, then Antwoine Hackford has every right to claim this one!

It wasn’t 1-1 for long, however, because Louie Marsh is lethal at the best of times and when he was given the chance to stretch his long legs and run with the ball off a throw-in a couple of minutes later, he did it to deadly effect - instantly cutting inside, getting into the box and fizzing the ball into the bottom corner. A moment of quality. The reason why he’s the top scorer in the PDL. And another good example of why he reminds me a lot of a certain No.10 in the South-West who, similarly, has a very high productivity rate this season.

To their credit, Barnsley gave it a damn good go in their search for an equaliser as Owen Hampson produced a brave headed clearance under pressure late on when TJ Bramble was bearing down on goal, before Oli Shaw flashed a shot a whisker wide of the post after a Danny Benson flick on in another chance, and then Josh Martin let fly from the edge of the area deep into injury-time with a drive which hit the net (but only the side-netting).

Given the intensity and work-rate that was really high during the closing stages especially, there were a few screams of ‘YESSSSSS’ by the United boys at full-time; proud of their efforts in having done enough to pick up another number of points which matches quite well with that tree emoji.

I don’t think United have secured top spot just yet but after a good week in which they also beat Peterborough, it won’t be long until it’s confirmed.

Overall, an enjoyable afternoon - brilliant to see some top lads performing well on both teams and really testing themselves and plenty (more) learned about individuals.

The only disappointing thing from a personal perspective is that Sydie Peck wasn’t involved because after a few little snippets he showed at Peterborough on Tuesday, I’d have loved to have watched him on a better pitch.

But I’m sure I’ll get another chance!

Individual Thoughts (Sheffield United):

CALLUM YAM: Very impressive! Good handling on a few occasions when he had to pluck balls out of the air, strong wrists to save a free-kick before half-time, and showed bucket loads of confidence in barking out instructions/encouragement to his team-mates (all of whom were older than him) during the second half. Refreshing to see such traits in someone so young. Has just turned 17 and will be delighted to be on the winning team again in what's been a big week in his development as he also kept goal at Peterborough on Tuesday. Certainly someone to keep an eye on!

SAI SACHDEV: Showed a lovely first touch to bring the ball under control close to the near touchline and was involved in a fascinating battle with Barnsley’s left-wing-back throughout the afternoon.

JILI BUYABU: Probably the quietest game he’s had that I’ve seen to date, but his performances in other games this season is where he’s really stood out. Had United’s only real effort in the first half with a strike from distance. 

LEVIS PITAN: Played at the centre of the back three and made a brave early block on the edge of his box (and duly stayed on his feet when I thought he might have gone down winded). Tried to lead things and organise at the back whenever he could. Look forward to watching him specifically, or more closely, in future games.

CONNOR BARRATT: Will be pleased to have got another 90 minutes under his belt against two decent attacking opponents in Josh Martin and Oli Shaw. Wasn’t involved in any of the game’s major moments but another steady enough showing.

MIGUEL FRECKLETON: Solid, aggressive, and probably the best defender on the pitch in this game. Produced an important block to keep out a goalbound effort in the first few minutes and was involved in another key moment towards the end when he dived in and produced a perfectly-timed tackle to stop a run from Josh Martin. Left a bit on Fabio Jalo with another fully-committed and aggressive tackle in the second half and created a good impression. Won my respect with this performance.

LOUIE MARSH: Wore the No.7 shirt and played in a deeper, midfield role compared to what I’ve seen previously - so it was an ideal chance to learn more about him. Put in some decent tackles and made a few neat interceptions before he went up top after Will Osula was substituted and then did what he does best by scoring within two minutes!

OLIVER ARBLASTER: Came into the game more after a quiet start and was starting to pop passes about as half-time approached. Reads a game so well, possesses plenty of intelligence and has the capability to unlock a defence. Won’t want to be reminded of an incident in the second half where he gave the ball straight to Oli Shaw inside his own box (shit happens) but will be pleased to have got a full game under his belt after 60 minutes at Peterborough on Tuesday.

WILL OSULA: Back from injury and came into things much more half-time with a shot which was saved and then when he showed some lovely footwork to flash a ball through the box. Looked big, strong and powerful - especially in a one-v-one against Jonathan Bland. Played 70 minutes and will be pleased to have minutes in the tank.

ANTWOINE HACKFORD: Quiet at times but was in the right place when it mattered to find the equaliser to make it two goals in as many games this week. Will be hoping to continue that form in the coming weeks.

OWEN HAMPSON: A fine footballer with so much skill who at some point will come off the pitch feeling 10ft tall and have everyone talking about him. Showed a snippet of his potential with a brave turn under pressure inside his own half in which he retained possession in the early stages, and then epitomised bravery when he risked injury to clear Eduino Vaz’s cross late on when the Blades were winning.

GEORGE DICKINSON: Came on at 1-0 down and within a few minutes, it was 2-1. Had a few touches in midfield and looked okay on the ball, got to grips with the intensity of the game straight away, but will be glad more than anything to have got some more minutes at U21s level. Looking forward to seeing more of him in the future.

Individual Thoughts (Barnsley):

ROGAN RAVENHILL: Grimaced at one point in the second half where he tried to play out from the back and played the ball straight out of play (shit happens) but otherwise a decent performance. Saved Will Osula’s effort just after half-time and couldn’t be faulted for either of the goals that Sheffield United scored. Will be happy to be in the U21s team.

JORDAN HELLIWELL: Another solid showing that ought to put respect on his name. Contributed in some key moments - particularly a block at 0-0 inside his own six-yard box which prevented a certain goalscoring chance. Read the game well in other instances by showing good positional awareness and one-v-one covering (so much so it won praise from Tom Harban on the touchline). Strong to win the ball in a tackle with Oliver Arblaster in the corner in the second half, being aggressive when he had to be, and got into a great attacking position which nearly resulted in him scoring on the hour mark. Taken off after 80 minutes but a very strong and solid performance as he continues his comeback from injury. Did well and ought to be full of confidence.

EDUINO VAZ: Named as a trialist on Twitter but also named on the team-sheet. He looked lively, very competitive and keen to make a good impression. Showed clever and tidy footwork in one instance to beat Sai Sachdev and win a corner. The quality of his deliveries were also good and could have resulted in an equaliser. A good performance.

JONATHAN BLAND: Was very good in the early stages where he offered a vocal presence and looked comfortable in the middle of the back three. He’ll have learned plenty in the second half where Sheffield United played better and upped the intensity - especially in a one-v-one situation where he was directly up against Will Osula. A good afternoon in his development as a player which he’ll be pleased with.

RUDI PACHE: The tallest of the central-defensive trio who played on the right-hand side of that unit. Had a steady afternoon, pumped some balls long, and became more involved as things progressed.

DANNY BENSON: One of the players I specifically wanted to watch in this game. Produced a good hooked clearance under pressure from Antwoine Hackford on the edge of his own box in the first half and was involved in a comical moment soon afterwards when Will Osula was tugging at his shorts trying to win the ball just infront of the dugouts. Steady showing and his second game of the week having also played for Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North on Monday night.

TJ BRAMBLE: The third game (at least) in his trial spell. Covered lots of ground, worked hard, made some clever runs at times, and was involved in a clash of heads with Owen Hampson in the closing stages when he tried to get on the end of Eduino Vaz’s cross into the box. Want to watch him more closely if/when he’s next involved.

HARRISON NEJMAN: Wore the captain’s armband (as he always does) and put in a decent first 45 minutes where he did plenty of the dirty work that fans don’t always appreciate (i.e. reading things well and making clever interceptions). Couldn’t find the target with his attempt close to half-time but has developed so much as the season has progressed and is looking more and more of an assured presence at this level.

OLI SHAW: The most experienced player on the pitch. A composed finish for the goal he scored but less so with the one he blazed over prior to that. Used as a target man at times due to his height but worked hard and brought others into the game. Will be hoping to get minutes in the first team soon.

JOSH MARTIN: A lively performance and one of the best players in the game who seemed like he really wanted to be there. Showed good footwork a number of times, posed a continuous threat and unlucky not to have scored from his couple of efforts just before half-time and the one late on which hit the outside of the net. His experience from a first team environment (which he’s had before - notably his loan at Doncaster) showed in this game. A good contribution.

AIDEN MARSH: A quiet return but lots of running (which he’ll have felt afterwards). Won the free-kick from which Josh Martin had his shot saved just before half-time thanks to a quick bit of intelligence in a high area and can now say he’s played more minutes in this stadium than our mutual friend who used to play for York City.

FABIO JALO: Replaced Aiden Marsh at half-time and showed a few snippets of his potential and intelligence. Was on the end of a strong tackle by Miguel Freckleton at one point but made a few sprints down the channels thereafter. Good to see him playing in the U21s again for what seems like the first time in a while.

JEAN CLAUDE MAKIESSI: Replaced Jordan Helliwell inside the last 10 minutes which led to a formation change. Had a few touches and looked competitive. Will be pleased to have earned another opportunity in the U21s and got a few minutes.