Sheffield United 0-0 Lincoln City

Sheffield United 0-0 Lincoln City 

Carabao Cup Second Round

Wednesday 30th August 2023

When he was six-years-old, Louie Marsh had a photo at Bramall Lane; front teeth missing (definitely too many sweets) and no doubt one day dreamed about pulling on a Sheffield United shirt and playing for his boyhood club infront of thousands of people.

Only 17 months ago, when was laid in a hospital bed recovering from surgery - complete with a D:Squared cap plonked on his head, that dream seemed distant.

But after a brilliant season last year where he was top scorer in the U21s Professional Development League, producing phenomenal performance after phenomenal performance to win both admirers and plaudits alike, whilst creating plenty of memories in the process, this was the night that he made his debut for Sheffield United and his dreams as that six-year-old boy turned into a reality.

It didn’t quite go to plan (that’s football) but this is a game he’ll remember forever - and given he was one of the players I enjoyed watching the most anywhere last year, there was no way I was going to miss this game. You only make your professional debut once in life!

In an ironic twist back when I was Marshy’s age - having grown up watching Doncaster Rovers nearly every week (back in the era when DRFC didn’t need a takeover like they desperately do nowadays), the one team I’d have always loved to see ‘Little old Donny’ play was Everton.

It nearly happened once (Aston Villa and an FA Cup replay got in the way) and it was only actually last night that Rovers and Everton went head-to-head for the first time since 1985.

Unsurprisingly, Everton won that other meeting in South Yorkshire, and in this one it turned out to be Lincoln, the plucky League One team, who were victorious and joined the Toffees in Round Three after showing loads of organisation and resilience to keep out the Blades and then win on penalties.

A good night for the Lincoln fans who packed out the end behind where the spot-kicks were taken with about 3,000 of them making up an attendance of just over 11,000, letting off a few flares too, and generally loving their night once it was all over.

Prior to that, Sheffield United really didn’t get going at any point in the game as it become one of those frustrating type of evenings that you sometimes to get.

In the first half, they played some nice bits of football and moved the ball well on occasions but didn’t get in-behind Lincoln with anything crisp or cutting and the best chance they did have was when Ollie Norwood spotted Lukas Jensen off his line and let fly with a speculative shot from the centre circle which cleared the upright.

Adam Davies was tested at the other end before the break as the Imps got a shot on target and Lincoln continued to compete well and give as good as they got after half-time - even going close just past the hour mark when they almost got in-behind and the Blades had to make a good defensive block to ensure they didn’t go behind.

When Lukas Jensen went down before a Sheffield United corner with around a quarter-of-an-hour to go, it was clear the visitors were already thinking about penalties but, even still, it was only really in the last five minutes that the Blades penned them back and applied some sustained pressure. However, every low ball into the box was defended, the threat of Will Osula (besides one downward header that was comfortably gathered) and Louie Marsh were negated well, the Imps maintained their resilience and they more than held out to get to the end.

And so it went to penalties!

Marshy was the first player to see his effort saved and although Teddy Bishop quickly followed suit for Lincoln, further Blades misses by Benie Traore and John Egan meant it turned out to be the Imps night and they’ve now been rewarded with a game against West Ham United in Round Three - one of those ties that probably has a very good chance of being selected for TV.

The Blades now play Everton on Saturday in what looks like an early-season ‘six-pointer’ and I’ve not got a clue what to expect from that one!

Barnsley (U21s) 3-0 Bournemouth (U21s)

Barnsley (U21s) 3-0 Bournemouth (U21s)

Professional Development League

Tuesday 29th August 2023

As victories go, this was relatively straightforward as Barnsley made it two home wins from two in the Professional Development League this season with a 3-0 win over a somewhat underwhelming Bournemouth team.

Having not seen the Cherries play previously at U21s level, I was intrigued to see what they’re about - especially as they went into this game with a 100% record but I was rather underwhelmed by them as Barnsley dominated about 80% of the game aside from a 20-minute spell just after half-time where the visitors got a bit of a foothold to make it more even.

Aiden Marsh will have a big smile on his face because he bagged two goals to move him to joint-top of the PDL scoring charts with six goals, Fabio Jalo struck home a sumptuous free-kick that had everyone roaring with delight, ‘Aaron Atkinson’ (the same trialist who played against Swansea the other week - not ‘Aaron Holloway’ as I initially thought his name was) put in another impressive display where he was class, Harrison Nejman picked up a lot of bits and pieces in work that didn’t go unnoticed in deeper positions, Kieran Flavell made his first appearance in over a year, and I think the bumper crowd of about 250 will have really enjoyed what they saw in the blistering Barnsley-bados sunshine.

The Reds utilised the rule to include experienced heads as Conor McCarthy (in defence), Josh Benson (as a No.10) and Kyran Lofthouse (at RWB) all featured as over-age players and that seniority showed in many parts of the performance which was very good right from the start of the game.

The Reds had already got the ball into some good areas around Bournemouth’s box amidst some early pressure - including a great delivery by Aaron Atkinson in the first move of the match, before the opener came on the quarter-hour mark when Josh Benson’s free-kick from deep towards the back-post was knocked back across goal to where Aiden Marsh bundled it home from close-range to grab his fifth goal of the season.

At 1-0 up, Barnsley continued to look good and play really positively.

Marshy was a constant pain in the backside for Bournemouth’s defence; looking far sharper and more alert than them and showing that split-second superior intelligence quite a few times (clearly full of beans after the goal too) and he had two efforts saved in quick succession including one where he brilliantly brought the ball onto his left-foot and unleashed a volley from the edge of the box. Great technique!

Fabio Jalo also went close as did Josh Benson who drew a save with a stinging effort before he went close again in the same passage of play, but by the interval it remained 1-0 - with the Reds very much the better team!

In the second half, Bournemouth got a foothold for a while and held their own - even going close to an equaliser a couple of times as they skewed one shot wide after a ball in from the right towards the near-post and then when Nathan James was forced to make a block inside his box around the hour mark.

But that was really it as far as good as it got for them because the Reds still looked the better team overall - especially when Aaron Atkinson drove through the middle and flashed a shot just an inch wide, and the wee No.7 played an instrumental part in the second goal with a nimble spin away from his marker with the ball at chest-height that drew a foul about 25 yards out and in a shooting position for a certain somebody.

Straight away, that someone - Fabio Jalo - was licking his lips and eyeing up his chances and when he unleashed the subsequent free-kick, he provided the kind of flash of brilliance that only he is capable of as his stunning and thunderous effort rattled the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and went over the goal-line - and I’m glad someone chose to record it because it was a cracker which he’ll be buzzing about! 

Buoyed by doubling the lead, Barnsley’s intensity, drive and energy seemed to return almost immediately (for a while before making it 2-0 the game was becoming a bit flat) and for the rest of the game Tom Harban’s team really drove at Bournemouth with aggression and purpose as they sought to inflict more damage.

Jalo went close again with an effort that this time hit the bar and came back into play, the big No.16 trialist (Julian Donnery; a player with a very sweet left-foot, a proven end product what I've seen in previous games with my own eyes that have featured on this blog, and will be going away on international duty soon with Scotland's U19s - well done on your latest call-up) certainly posed a threat with his height advantage when he came on and then, after a short stoppage which included a drinks break, it was 3-0.

Aiden Marsh is looking really sharp at the moment and, this time, having mugged a Bournemouth defender who was dallying on the ball midway inside the visitors’ half, he drove with it towards the edge of the box, could have squared it to Aaron Atkinson who was advancing to his left and in the perfect position for a shot on goal, but instead Marshy unleashed an effort which caught a deflection off a defender and looped up and over the away ‘keeper and into the back of the net.

Thereafter, Bournemouth could have grabbed a consolation as Kieran Flavell made his best save on his return as he beat away a low effort that was on target (great to see him getting a clean-sheet on his return), whilst Fabio Jalo had a low drive saved at the other end with a left-foot shot where he probably needed to have a go on his right, and also had a penalty appeal waved away.

Had a spot-kick been given in the earlier instance; one of those where there was an element of contact albeit Fabio was definitely looking for it too, it would have been interesting to see whether he or Aiden Marsh (on his hat-trick) had taken it but when Marshy was replaced by Josiah Dyer a minute or two afterwards, he received a standing ovation from the crowd who appreciated what they’d seen.

Overall, it was a deserved win for Barnsley - and comfortable in the end. That little bit more experience they had in their line-up certainly showed for 80% of the game and as I said right at the start of this piece, I was quite underwhelmed by Bournemouth. Yes, they could have got an equaliser in the 45-65 minute spell where they got a foothold and got a couple of chances, but outside of that period they were second-best for the whole game and didn’t offer much whatsoever. I was expecting them to be a lot better than what they were (maybe it was one of those days) but they can’t have any complaints about this result because Barnsley’s defence had a very quiet day.

There were two stand-out performers in the game.

Aiden Marsh was a constant menace; he always looks knackered (that’s just Marshy) but his technique was good high up the pitch, his speed of thought and intelligence to just do things with the ball at his feet shone through massively and he was far too quick in that respect for Bournemouth. Hence why he tormented them. He deserved his two goals and this performance is just a continuation of what’s been a very good start to the season for him personally with six goals in the PDL already, plus the assist for the first team at Wigan on Saturday! Long may it continue and long may he keep torturing defences like he did in this game!

The other top performer on the pitch, without question, was Aaron Atkinson -  and even despite Marshy’s goalscoring, if I was dishing out a ‘Man Of The Match’ award then Aaron (No.7 or 'Trialist' as he was listed on the team-sheet) would be the person receiving it.

To begin with, he’s light, nimble, quick and sharp on his feet (all great things) but he’s got quality about him and has good productivity with the ball at his feet which I think is massive and absolutely testament to him.

Everyone watching this game will have impressed. Good link-up play was evidenced a few times (particularly a back-heel early in second half from near the corner flag towards the edge of the box which kept a move going). It showed sharpness and awareness. He moved well around the pitch and glided, wasn’t scared to drive at opponents with the ball on two or three occasions - the best being  the one where he drove in possession through the middle for about 20-30 yards and flashed the ball narrowly wide. His technique was good to win the free-kick for the second goal. He was creative and something of a playmaker; useful in the centre (when he came inside), useful out wide too, and his overall performance just backed up a really solid first impression he’d already created in the win over Swansea City a fortnight ago where he set high standards which he then maintained them in this game. His performance deserved a goal and I’d have loved to have seen him get one (had Marshy played him in near the end, that might have been the moment) but to coin a classic Barnsley phrase which describes him well: ‘He’s a rate good little player’. All I can say if he reads this is keep it up because you’ve been very good and the way you’re playing, the livewire intelligence you’re showing, it wins people’s respect and is class to watch and you’ve added something to this team. Been a pleasure watching it!

Lastly, I want to give a mention to Harrison Nejman as he broke up the play on several occasions and I don’t think anyone on the pitch won the ball back more than him across the 90 minutes, and his desire to do that ‘dirty work’ was very instrumental in helping the defence have a quiet afternoon and keep their clean-sheet. There were lots of things that happened higher up the pitch but Harrison’s work didn’t go unnoticed to my eyes, it shouldn’t be underestimated and that was where he shone. He’s still got areas for improvement; one pass in the first half went straight into the seats (not sure what he was trying with that one) and when he drove forward in one instance during the second half, he just needed to get his head up, look up and play a simple ball out wide to the RWB who’d overlapped and was in a perfect position to receive something - instead Bournemouth got the ball and countered quite quickly which was dangerous. They’re things to learn from (what these games are all about anyway) but he’s captain of this team for a reason, his presence is good (take him out this team and you’d notice a difference straight away) and the bits he does well, he does very well - hence why I’m always glad when I turn up and he’s involved because I enjoy watching him.

Again, a good day, a good result.

The only disappointing aspects from my viewpoint were not seeing Hayden Pickard involved (think he was just rested) and that’s only because he’s set really high standards and been very impressive the last few times I’ve watched him in games, plus Matty Doyle didn’t get any minutes - someone who had a big smile in the half-time warm-up (good personality is everything) and after hearing loads of good things about his character plus seeing him head in the equaliser against Charlton in the Play-Off Final last season (some day that was) and knowing about his injuries, I want to see get a decent run in the team at some point to properly learn and understand what he’s all about.

Up the Reds!

Team: Kieran Flavell, Kyran Lofthouse, Mylan Benjamin, Nathan James, Conor McCarthy, Alex Joof (Josh McKay), Trialist, Harrison Nejman, Fabio Jalo, Josh Benson (Trialist), Aiden Marsh (Josiah Dyer). Unused Subs: Rogan Ravenhill, Matty Doyle.

Oxford City 4-0 Boreham Wood

Oxford City 4-0 Boreham Wood 

Vanarama National League

Monday 28th August 2023

Save this one in the scrapbook!

This result is one that will go down in Oxford City history as the wee plucky underdogs - tipped for relegation by many, got their first ever three points in the National League with this Bank Holiday battering of Boreham Wood.

When I rocked up at Court Place Farm (or the Raw Charging Stadium to use its sponsored name), I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from either the ground or the game itself but needless to say I was pleasantly surprised by both!

You can tell the pride and care that exists within Oxford City as the ground is well cared for, far more developed than I imagined it would be and it’s a very tidy set-up with seats and terracing on both sides making it a pleasant experience. In a crowd of over 1,000, it felt comfortable and there were plenty of good vantage points. The 4G pitch is brand new (re-laid and improved during the summer just gone) and immaculate; the smell of rubber crumb in the first half sunshine being the modern football equivalent of ‘Deep Heat’ in days gone down, and it’s obvious the club certainly make the best of what’s available to them and are very proud of the place they call home!

And on the pitch… wow, what a performance it was by Oxford City to get the win but what a contrast also because nobody whatsoever would have predicted they’d run out 4-0 winners at half-time.

Josh Parker was the ‘Man Of The Match’ and he deserves all the plaudits he gets for because he was EXCEPTIONAL, bullied the Boreham Wood defence throughout the second half with pretty much everything going through him in one way or another, and he has to be the most obvious inclusion I’ve seen in a very long time to go in the Vanarama ‘Team Of The Week’.

Lewis Miccio has already been in the TOTW recently and he played his part in keeping a hard-earned clean-sheet whilst one of my ‘points of interest’ when I rocked up was to watch Canice Carroll - someone who, likewise, has earned that ‘TOTW Inclusion’ accolade already this term and also happens to be a player I’ve followed from afar throughout his career - from the days when he was a YT at Oxford playing alongside Joe Hartley (year above him) and ball-boying at the Kassam Stadium on matchdays which every kid hates, and then onwards and upwards to Brentford and beyond with all the bits in between such as his Ireland youth caps, loan spells and the stint in Glasgow at Queen’s Park where he got the first promotion of his career.

Watching ‘Canny’ play in this game was enjoyable (bar two passes - no prizes for guessing which ones I’m referring to) and seeing a strapping on each of his wrists reminded me of another very promising centre-back coming through the ranks called Riccardo Di Trolio as he does exactly the same thing.

Remember his name because just like Canice Carroll (who at 24, and with the qualities he’s got could even get back into the EFL at some point) I’ve got no doubts that RDT will do well in the long-term too.

Carroll was a key figure in the early stages for Oxford City because along with constantly speaking to his team-mates, encouraging, organising and being a real ‘super-glue’ type leader (some of the best qualities a player can have in an era when communication is a dying art), he made not one but two vital blocks on the goal-line inside the first 20 minutes which had visiting boss Luke Garrard exclaiming ‘It’s the boy again’ in frustration - as his Boreham Wood team were unable to make a breakthrough despite a strong start where they had more territory, more possession, pushed the hosts back and looked the superior team in quite a few areas.

Oxford had a few bits and pieces up at the other end - including a header from Carroll - before he almost turned culprit for a catastrophe around the half-hour mark with a short back-pass that was intercepted and fired into the side-netting.

Needless to say there was a look of relief on his face in the aftermath - something which spread to the whole Oxford City defence not long afterwards when BW finally scrambled the ball in the back of the net only to see it rightly ruled out for offside.

Chris Haigh also made a brilliant save from Tyrone Marsh to keep things level and at half-time, the 100 or so ‘Wood Army’ fans in attendance - many of whom I suspect were paying their first visit to Court Place Farm would have been confident of returning to North London with three points.

Wrong!

The second half couldn’t have been more different because although I was starting to wonder whether I was about to witness my first 0-0 this season, just past the hour mark, City put together a move which culminated in the opening goal as Nya Kirky let fly with a thunderbolt which flew past Nathan Ashmore and into the bottom corner.

Suddenly it was ‘Game On’, Boreham Wood had work to do and it ought to have triggered a response and reaction from them.

Maybe last year when they had George Broadbent and Zak Brunt (two big losses for them) it would have done but instead Oxford grew in belief, the visitors capitulated, and it was soon 2-0 as Josh Parker grabbed a goal that he deserved with a shot that had all the power behind it yet went straight through Nathan Ashmore who seemed like he was already on the floor before Parker had even pulled the trigger.

If Oxford didn’t have confidence before, they were clearly oozing it now. They were well on top. They were the dominant team and the game was put to bed via a cleverly-worked corner on 79 minutes where Canice Carroll gave an insight as to what he’s about in attacking situations; using his strength to pin the BW defender at the near-post and purposely letting the ball from the delivery drift behind him towards Olly Sanderson who was waiting in the perfect spot to guide the ball into the net.

A great contribution by Carroll in a move that’s clearly been worked on and was executed to perfection and at 3-0 it was ‘tail between legs’ time for Boreham Wood and all over for them!

Incredibly, City weren’t done there because they found another goal to turn their second half dominance into an emphatic 4-0 mauling - and the fourth was arguably the best of the bunch. Zac McEachran had literally only just come on (think seconds rather than minutes); one of his first touches was a one-two on the edge of the box and, having got the ball back, his next was a shot that flew with ‘Va Va Voom’ verve and vigor straight into the back of the net - and the Boreham Wood ‘keeper diving away from the ball in the process just made the finish look all the more impressive.

Fair to say, Nathan Asmore had a nightmare afternoon which he won’t want to think about ever again, Cameron Coxe likewise further up the pitch whose end product lacked and the only thing he earned from the three times he went down looking for a free-kick out wide was a b*llocking from his manager for not getting up quickly enough. How David Stephens wasn’t sent-off for two or three off the ball punches and elbows (evident and not sly ones) was ridiculous - especially when the referee definitely saw one of them and gave a free-kick for it. 

And it sort of said everything when Jamal Fyfield punched the post in frustration when he blazed a volley over the upright late on when he should have buried the ball into the roof of the net for a consolation.

I can only think Luke Garrard must have given his players a few disgusted looks in the dressing room at full-time given this was actually Boreham Wood’s heaviest defeat in a league fixture since a 4-0 hammering by Hartlepool in February 2019 on a day when Josh Hawkes (another good player who I’ve liked for a while - nowadays at Tranmere) bagged twice.

But all credit really should go to Oxford City for ripping them apart. Nobody expected it - maybe least of all themselves given their results so far this season, yet they were clinical at one end, resilient at the other and this is the exact type of game that can give them confidence, give them belief, transform their mindset and really be used as a springboard to push on from.

If they extend their stay in the National League beyond just one season, they’ll be delighted and this result proves that when they’re on their ‘A’ game, if you’re not on yours then you will get a good hiding!

And who knew that Oxford’s ‘Yoof’ ultras stood just below the scoreboard even knew about throwback songs such as ‘That’s The Way I Like It’ which they were belting out after every goal they scored.

Wait until they hear 90s music!