Rotherham United (U18s) 1-4 Scunthorpe United (U18s)

Rotherham United (U18s) 1-4 Scunthorpe United (U18s)

EFL Youth Alliance

Tuesday 2nd May 2023

Having loved watching this Scunthorpe United team this season because of their spirit, character, togetherness, attitude and the fact they’re just a brilliant set of lads - there was absolutely no way I was going to miss their final game of the season.

And what a performance they produced! 🔥🔥🔥

On a day when all their best and most brilliant qualities were on show yet again, they couldn’t have made all their families prouder because with beaming smiles and playing with a confidence and freedom, they ripped apart Rotherham United with ruthless devastation to sign off for the season (and scholarships in some cases) in superb style.

Harrison Poulter, take a bow, was superb as his second half hat-trick demonstrated everything brilliant about him, it took his tally to the season for 26 goals, and capped off one of the most skilful individual displays I’ve ever seen at this level.

That boy has some technique and ability!

Needless to say all the lads were buzzing afterwards and if you could bottle up the enthusiasm, joy, pride and pure emotion they felt in that dressing room afterwards and make it last for a lifetime then wow - what a powerful feeling it would be!

What a team!

Playing their final game together, it was always going to be an emotional occasion (and even I felt it a bit with all my 1,700-games experience), and the first half proved to be a tough battle - it was end-to-end, it was open and with chances, and the lads had to graft, scrap and roll their sleeves up to make sure they remained on level terms.

Harvey Cribb, impressive from the very first 10 seconds when he won the ball inside his own half and showed nimble technique to keep it under pressure, put in one of the best performances I’ve seen from him - and actually had one of the game’s first chances when he sliced an effort wide from 25 yards.

However, it was at the other end where Ewan Oxborough came into his own and he made the first in a number of top quality saves to thwart Rotherham when they broke on the counter-attack and put a powerful low effort on target. Oxborough was top class - as was Ben Pike who soon made two crucial interventions; reading the game so well by clearing a dangerous ball inside his own six-yard box in the first instance and then by blocking an effort from Ben Hatton (the No.10 and comfortably Rotherham’s best player) just a couple of minutes later, during an excellent first 45 minutes where all Mr Pike’s best qualities stood out a mile.

With the game still goalless, it was Nat Wallace who put the Iron 1-0 up on 25 minutes as he was there to pounce on a sloppy back-pass by the full-back, nip in to nick the ball off the feet of the ‘keeper, and duly stick the ball in the back of the empty net. Top awareness. Top quality! And 1-0 to the Iron!

No sooner had Scunthorpe scored though, Rotherham hit back as Ben Hatton was set free down the right wing, used his nimble footwork to work his way inside and laid the ball off towards Adam Clarke, positioned on the edge of the area, whose beautiful curling strike right into the corner was too much for even a lad like Ewan Oxborough. Nothing he could do about it, just brilliant execution. 1-1.

That equaliser rejuvenated the Millers and piled on the pressure as they sought to complete a turnaround - going close as Oxborough produced another double save whilst Ben Pike threw his body infront of the ball to make another brave block.

The momentum was really in the balance at this point, end-to-end, and before the half-time whistle, Pike was superbly denied by the Rotherham ‘keeper who atoned for the earlier error by producing a fantastic save right on his goal-line to keep out the effort, before Harry Elliott-Bell (some lad is HEB) and then Josh Cunningham (a top and physical brick something-house) had headers that were narrowly off-target.

And in a counter-attack at the other end, with hands like shovels Ewan Oxborough produced another save to ensure it remained 1-1, whilst Rotherham also clipped the woodwork with a header from a set-piece right on half-time.

Breathless! But…

If you thought that the first 45 minutes was breathless, then sit back because the second half performance by the Scunny lads epitomised everything about them and is the exact reason I’ve come to love them to bits over the course of the season.

From the first whistle after the re-start, they got the grit between their teeth, got at Rotherham, pushed them back, set the standards and ultimately ripped them apart like a hungry dog having found a box of doggy treats. It was relentless with Josh Robertson pulling the strings in midfield with his adrenaline and aggression, supplemented by the quality in other areas - whether it be Harry Lewis and his experience, Charley Strouther and Nat Wallace at full-back, or HEB and his contributions.

The shackles were off and the smiles were starting to appear and soon enough, the boys had the lead as Harry Lewis (Gainsborough Trinity loanee legend) swung a corner-kick right underneath the Millers’ crossbar where Harrison Poulter pounced at point-blank range and got the deftest of connections to make it 2-1. Cue a golf swing celebration technique also by young Mr Lewis which he definitely needs to work on!

Having pretty much poached that goal, there was a palpable sense Harrison Poulter was in a lethal mood at this point - and his next involvement was just ‘wow’ and it even left me speechless because he showed all the energy and effort of Thierry Henry in those ‘Va Va Voom’ adverts back in the day to brilliantly get possession, with his back to goal on the edge of the box, spin his man to open up an angle, and then in the blink of an eye unleash an shot that went just an inch wide of the post. I did let out a little scream on the sidelines because it was sensational - and what a goal it would have been!

With the pressure growing, HEB then let out a little scream in frustration after the Rotherham ‘keeper spilled a right-wing cross into the box right on his feet and he could only poke it wide, but soon enough it was 3-1 - and it was the lethal Mr Poulter who got the goal; showing all the same technique as before in exactly the same circumstances only this time executing a shot which went into the net.

Simply outstanding!

Rotherham then had a little spell of pressure, getting on top for five minutes which culminated in a chance when one of their attackers was put through into one-on-one only for Ewan Oxborough to pull off another top class save and thwart him. Pure quality yet again, and just a few minutes later he bravely came off his line to punch away the danger.

By the final 15 minutes though, Scunny were on top again and cruising.

HEB was denied following an excellent run into the box and touch to bring the ball under control in a shot that was saved by the ‘keeper - and then a minute or two later, his cleanly-struck volley from a set-piece, hit at about 456mph (needed a bit more power behind it) went just wide and would probably have bust the net if it had gone in - although the celebration would have been utterly phenomenal because the technique was that good.

Harry Lewis deliberately left a couple of free-kicks for Harrison Poulter in a desperate attempt to let him try and get his hat-trick and even though they didn’t work out, it soon came as Josh Robertson got in-behind, squared the ball to him a few yards out and a predatory striker just doesn’t miss from a few yards out.

And in that moment, as Harrison Poulter held his arms aloft to celebrate - it summed it all up, a top performance, a hat-trick, a game I’ll remember for years to come, memories created together that these lads will remember forever and their families can cherish for years to come, a few tears (as emotions were running quite high by this point) but pure joy and elation.

Soak it up!

What a feeling! What a team! And above everything what a brilliant set of lads who’ve just been a credit to themselves with what they’ve been through at the club, yet how they’ve conducted themselves and produced quality on the pitch.

Going through the line-up, there were so many good contributions and bits to be pleased about...

Ewan Oxborough - phenomenal time and again and one of the best goalkeeping performances I’ve seen in this league this season. Brave, committed and his saves were so important because without them (even including the one-on-one at 3-1) it could have altered the game and wouldn’t have maybe allowed the lads the chance to do the damage they did in the second half. Keep these type of performances up over the next 12 months and he’ll add a bucket load of respect to his name.

Nat Wallace - out injured for a while recently after a good first loan at Farsley Celtic, but delivering the goods in this game on what I think was his return (playing as a right-footed player on the left flank at times) and pouncing for the goal. A quality young man as well as a quality player with predatory instincts!

Charley Strouther - a lad I’ve loved to bits with what he’s produced on the pitch ever since his bizarre cross-goal at Pontefract in the FA Youth Cup. Had a mesmerising run early in the game where he took the ball past a few players but then was blocked by the last defender. But good feet and so many qualities. Has a tan worse than a ghost (think the lads liked that banter) but a player I’ll remember forever, support wherever, and in whatever walk of life too. This was the last game of his scholarship as he’s leaving SUFC this summer but with physique, pace and athleticism and a big bag of enthusiasm, he'll make a useful addition for someone.

Ben Pike - a top quality individual display in the first 45 minutes where he was immense; throwing himself infront of shots, being brave and reading the danger so well. He’s impressed me loads recently with how he’s played and how he’s gone about his defending with such commitment and application. Another player who is leaving the club this summer but with a brilliant attitude, character and application to make a useful addition for someone. 

Finn Abraham - the skipper who is here next year and the bedrock of the defence; smooth in style and good with his positioning which helps him during the first half. Lots more to come from him next season and it speaks volumes that he’s had the captain’s armband all season.

Josh Cunningham - solid and aggressive and in a game which was a tough test (as Rotherham are always physical) he stood up to those difficulties and made sure the Millers weren’t getting much out of him. Lots more to come as he’s still a first-year!

Harry Elliott-Bell - wow… just wow! Some top contributions; so good with his use of the ball, his energy and drive, his touch - and all of that was shown especially in the build-up to the third goal as he set the move in motion. I lost count of all the times Rob Watson was shouting ‘Good Hebby’ on the sidelines. The only shame is he didn’t get a goal to cap off a two-year scholarship packed with memories whether it be his few minutes at Old Trafford to the braces on his teeth (sorry mate) to his BBC interview that time, to playing right-back, centre-back, centre-midfielder, left-back (think he played there once) and a striker - and in each position he’s been good. But again, just wow! And as I’ve said before, he’ll make such a good player for someone considering his height, versatility and physicality too, and yet another player in this squad who I’d throw myself under a bus for to help in life! A good lad who loves his football - it has been a pleasure watching you my mate!

Harvey Cribb - short, sharp and ‘on it’ in a really positive way from the very first few seconds to the very last few seconds of the game. A lot of touches on the ball. A lot of quality shown on the ball. A number of good contributions - one of the best I’ve seen from him, and one which he can be proud about and take a lot of confidence from as it was a great way to end the season. Played with a smile, played with a freedom and played with enthusiasm.

Josh Robertson - so often the midfield engine and another really dogged showing in that first half where it was a battle at times, but then capped off with the assist right at the end. So many hard, aggressive and old school qualities and superb throughout the season. What a season! But who’s the better golfer out of him and Harry Lewis?

Harry Lewis - the last youth team game he’ll ever play (ineligible next year due to his age), but a bundle of enthusiasm and brought all the qualities he’s learned from his loan experiences this season into this game, to be one of the best players on the pitch. Quality that he let Poults have the free-kicks late on, quality on the ball when he got it and used it well, and a season he can reflect on and think ‘Yeah, I did alright to be honest’. 

Harrison Poulter - take a bow! That was genuinely one of the best individual performances I’ve seen by a player in this league for absolutely ages - vibes on a par with Bobby Pointon and a few more at Bradford City last year. His technique, spin, turning and twisting, general movement, positioning, end product and everything else to be a complete pain in the backside for Rotherham was there in the second half and that hat-trick is one that he can be so proud about. He’s convinced me 100% of his ability this season and he’s welcome to batter me for years to come that I even doubted him in the first place. That second half display was just phenomenal on so many levels. Va Va Voom! Enjoy the £140 (heard about that) but feel proud of yourself mate - you’ve made your whole family proud, especially those who were there, and there is absolutely no better feeling in the world when that happens. A hat-trick in your first game. A hat-trick in your last (unless you play in any of these games next year) and memories you’ll be able to talk about with a big smile for years and years to come! Top lad! Harrison. Poulter. Scores. Goals… And. Is. Also. Phenomenal!

To try and finish this blog piece off with something that makes sense or a final word - again, just what a set of lads who’ve been a credit to themselves. Little mentions for Josh Murtagh and Lucas Dickinson, Shay Larkin and Charlie Burden-Whittleton, who were on the bench (all brilliant personalities who'll be here next year). Some absolute characters in this team and, moreover, a great, great, great set of lads put together in tough circumstances with all the off-field issues at the club, yet lads who’ve always been prepared to roll their sleeves up, graft, work hard, be persistent, put a shift in, and create these sort of memories they’ll buzz about for ages.

And I hope if this blog is re-read in years to come, it just allows the lads to recapture the moment and all the emotions of joy, delight, pride and enthusiasm felt in that dressing room at full-time.

Love this team!