Sheffield United (U21s) 4-0 Bristol City (U21s)

Sheffield United (U21s) 4-0 Bristol City (U21s)

Professional Development League Play-Offs

Monday 15th May 2023

Another visit to Bramall Lane and another top class, top quality and high energy performance which was a joy to watch as Sheffield United ripped apart Bristol City to book their place in the Professional Development League Play-Off Final.

In a meeting between the North winners and the South runners-up, there was only ever one team who looked like winning as Louie Marsh (shock horror) bagged yet again to take his tally for the season to 24 goals, before Will Osula claimed another hat-trick with goals either side of the half-time break.

On a pleasant day at Bramall Lane; sunny on the pitch but freezing in the stands (it makes a massive difference sitting in the stands) it took United less than 10 minutes to make the breakthrough as that lad Louie Marsh pounced when the ball hit the backside of a visiting defender, picking up possession and instinctively hammering a low drive past the ever-so-slightly out of position goalkeeper from 20-25 yards. Power, precision and predatory yet again - and that's why he's top scorer.

At 1-0, United needed a second goal to make life more comfortable and Bristol City certainly came back into it. 

Sai Sachdev produced a well-timed interception to thwart them on one occasion, Connor Barratt (who had one of his best games) produced a vital clearance when the ball dropped dangerously on the edge of the six-yard box in another instance and when they finally did get something on target, Luke Faxon underlined his value with a flying and fingertip full-stretch save from a goalbound header off a corner to keep them out. Top quality stuff.

At the other end, Will Osula went close with a low drive when he had options available that might have led to something more, Sydie Peck had a curling effort kept out, but as the interval approached, the second goal arrived.

All of Osula’s traits were on show as he burst away down the right flank with electric pace (Va Va Voom and ‘See You Later’ to the defender who was chasing shadows) before he cut inside with some nimble footwork. He could have squared the ball to Louie Marsh for a tap-in but instead went it alone and executed an emphatic drive that went through the ‘keeper and into the net. 

BOOM! Buried to perfection, excellent technique, and at 2-0, the Robins had a mountain to climb.

After the re-start there was a particular edge to the game for a while. Osula was left frustrated when he went to ground inside the box (a 50-50 which could have gone either way) but with nothing forthcoming, that ignited some passion and frustrations and led to a 5-10 minute spell where tempers threatened to boil over.

City then had a chance when Luke Faxon was ‘too keen’ with a ball out to Oliver Arblaster who was uncharacteristically dispossessed on the edge of his own box (again it could have been a foul, nothing given - cue some annoyance) and City immediately hit the post before the follow-up was shanked so far wide of the target that the ball ended up actually going out for a throw-in. A massive moment in the game; because halving the deficit would really have given the Robins the momentum at this stage, but good covering by Connor Barratt in this period of play to distract the player for the follow-up.

And after Louie Marsh was booked for a foul on the hour mark (the referee keen to just book someone as it was at the height of the period where tensions were running high), the Blades soon sharpened up and put the game to bed.

Andre Brooks was on fire in the second half and just a few minutes after he’d put through Will Osula and he fired over, he was involved again with some good work in the middle leading to a quick defence to attack move in the space of a few seconds; Arblaster to Peck to Osula - and this time when Osula got through, he didn’t need a second invitation to finish on the back of some good movement and make the game safe.

At 3-0 it was ‘job done’ but Will Osula certainly wasn’t and just a couple of minutes later, he got through again and fired home to claim his second matchball in the space of a fortnight and really add emphasis to the scoreline.

United then made a quadruple substitution in the last 10 minutes as Theo Williams and Fernando Macedo (whose mum wasn't in the crowd so it was a bit quieter than the Colchester game) were amongst those brought on from the least defensive subs bench I've ever seen, and right at the end in injury-time - the returning Finley Potter could have got a fifth goal, but he instead shanked the ball wide when in a good position in the Robins goalmouth.

Overall though, another performance with bucket loads of quality on show - top football at times, sharp, passing and incisive with the movement and quality of it from an attacking viewpoint, it caused carnage, and was just a pleasure to witness it.

In the first half at 1-0, the game was seriously in the balance and Bristol City were probably on top (territory-wise) for a good 20 minutes. So the timing of that second goal was really important and then in the second half, before the result was put beyond doubt with the goal to make it 3-0, there were some really good examples of game-management and stifling a few seconds here and there when it was possible, that were all on show.

Add that to the ruthless execution of chances and it was quality!

Going through the starting xi individually…

Luke Faxon; top save in the first half which was vital and this result wouldn’t have happened had it not been for him, plus another save at the end from a low free-kick which was much more routine. He earned his clean-sheet. One to learn from with the ‘roll out’ to Oliver Arblaster when they hit the post (it happens) but otherwise a solid performance and did what he had to do.

Sai Sachdev; a great interception in the first half (real high quality) and a cross through the Robins six-yard box in the second half. Won’t want to remember the one where he didn’t lay it off to Sydie Peck in the corner in the second half and got told about it, but a steady performance again.

Connor Barratt; a good game and one of the best I’ve seen him have. A vital clearance at 1-0 when the ball dropped inside the box, good covering in the chance where they hit the post, applied himself well and played a big part in helping the team keep the clean-sheet. Took two bites to clear a ball into the box (from a set-piece I think) early in the second half when he just needed to whack it downfield and away from danger, but otherwise a solid game.

Finley Potter; fitted seamlessly into the three-man defence in his first game back since his loan at Barnet where he reached the National League Play-Offs; steady and solid throughout, got an assist, could have even scored at the end and played his part in a clean-sheet. Can’t ask for much more!

Levis Pitan; offered the height within the backline, got stuck in and grappled a few times, including one where he almost had his shirt ripped off his back by one of Bristol City’s attackers midway through the second half. I think he got the free-kick from it eventually.

Jili Buyabu; not the most lively I’ve seen him (and believe me when he's lively he's ripping people to shreds) but still showed snippets of quality, including a good bit of footwork and movement in possession high up the pitch in the first half (memorable and he’s got that in his locker) and in another instance where he took up a really good position on the outside of Will Osula - in acres of space for a potential ball across the goalmount, but didn’t get the ball. Big personality, makes me smile, big player and someone I’ve loved watching in this team.

Sydie Peck; drives the standards of this team with his desire to win. Evident a few times and unlucky not to score with his free-kick in the first half (right area, just well-read by the ‘keeper) and then with another shot in the second half when he got away and tried one from the edge of the box. Wore the captain’s armband and got the assist for the third goal though.

Oliver Arblaster; another good performance. Probably 4-5 instances where he was under pressure and being closed down, via their press, but he used his technique to spin and turn with the ball, retain it, and then burst away to spring an attack. Pace and quality and a nonchalance with how he goes about things in the CDM role where he's so good. I've lots of time for it. Won’t want to remember the one where he was dispossessed and City hit the post, but another good game where he showed what he’s about.

Will Osula; only ever had one thing in mind when he got into the box and from 5-6 shots, he got another superb hat-trick to add value to his name. All his qualities were on show in his first goal; from his pace in bursting away down the right flank initially, to his technique to cutting inside, and then the finish itself which was ruthless and full of power. Bits to improve but plenty of qualities to his game and being aggressive, strong, fast and with a quick turn of pace (and good with his feet) it means he's a real handful for any team at PDL level. Didn’t get much from the referee (two 50-50s went against him, cue a few frustrations) but looking at his matchball this morning, he won’t be too worried about that now.

Louie Marsh; the PDL’s top scorer with 24 to his name for the season. Scored off a mistake and high-quality execution - a shoot on sight policy, but a superb finish given the distance involved. Impressive. Also took up a brilliant position in the box where he could have had a tap-in for the goal to make it 2-0 just before half-time. Sharp, energetic, lively, tracked back a lot to do his defensive work at times (more so than Aaron Collins did at the same age). That all stands out. Unlucky to get booked as it was the first foul after the referee had talked to both benches - and at any other point he’d have probably not been given a card. One lost shin pad and one offside right before half-time as he got distracted waiting for a break in play to put it back on, but I can’t wait to see him feature at senior level in the future because with his movement, work-rate, team-work and brilliant attitude and the bits of physical aggression that he’s got (I've picked up on that too) then he could shine in the right environment. Lots of respect for another decent display.

Andre Brooks; a fantastic second half performance where he really came into his own, took things by the scruff of the neck and provided that spark from behind the front two. He tortured Bristol City and had some fine link-up play with Will Osula which led to so much danger and at least 2-3 goalscoring opportunities. Had a chance of his own where he was unlucky not to score, was a constant MENACE and full of quality with his trickery, footwork and movement to just saunter past opponents. I really enjoyed watching him at his best (fair to say that Bristol City probably didn’t) and he deserves a couple of fire emojis for his own performance. Class! 🔥🔥

With Millwall coming back from behind to beat Hull City in the other PDL Play-Off Semi-Final yesterday, it remains to be seen where the 'Final' will be played but if it's 'up north' (fingers crossed), then I'll 100% be there to see it and witness some quality again!

Enjoyable as always! Well done lads!

Team: Luke Faxon, Sai Sachdev, Jili Buyabu, Levis Pitan, Connor Barratt, Finley Potter, Sydie Peck (C), Oliver Arblaster, Will Osula, Louie Marsh, Andre Brooks. Used Subs: Charlie Staniland, Josh Smith, Fernando Macedo, Theo Williams. Unused Sub: Callum Yam.