Sheffield United (U21s) 6-2 Cardiff City (U21s)

Sheffield United (U21s) 6-2 Cardiff City (U21s)

Professional Development League

Tuesday 12th September 2023

Every so often it can be a pleasure to watch a game of football and this was exactly that as Sheffield United put Cardiff City to the sword at Bramall Lane.

Anyone who knows this level will know already what the Blades can do - they’re notorious for ripping teams apart and racking up big scorelines and a very emphatic one seemed on the cards from early on in this game because they were 3-0 up after just 15 minutes.

Femi Seriki played a massive part in the opener - a nuisance and persistent threat on the right all afternoon, he latched onto Luke Faxon’s downfield kick and burst into the box before the ball was slid into the net off a Cardiff defender, and having gone close himself a couple of times along with Fernando Macedo who also had an effort knocked wide, it was soon 2-0 thanks to Josh Smith’s curling and sweeping finish from the edge of the box with Macedo selling the defender a dummy in the build-up and Sai Sachdev claiming the assist. 

A very good team goal indeed and then, incredibly, it was 3-0 by the quarter-hour mark as a bullet free-kick from the edge of the box from Anis Ben Slimane found the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Cardiff looked shell-shocked and things could have got worse before they got better as they survived a couple more close shaves; Antwoine Hackford going close, but on around 25 minutes they pulled a goal back as Cody Twose threaded a through ball into the feet of Finley Johnson who drilled his shot along the grass and past Luke Faxon from the edge of the area in what was a decent, well-taken finish.

The Blades though remained on top for the rest of the first half. Jili Buyabu and Femi Seriki were causing all sorts of carnage on the left and right, respectively, the quality/intensity and speed of play was all good. Cardiff survived one instance of pinball inside their own box where the two Blades full-backs were involved, and then United missed a great chance to restore their three-goal cushion just before half-time when Evan Easton flashed a header wide from just a couple of yards out, after Josh Smith’s corner.

At half-time you’d have fancied Sheffield United to bag a few more goals but the Bluebirds had other ideas and at the start of the second half they pulled another goal back as a short-corner routine culminated in Dakarai Mafico lashing the ball with power into the net - and then incredibly the Bluebirds ALMOST made it 3-3 as a curling strike by Kyle Kenniford went just an inch or so over the upright.

The Blades had certainly got sloppy by this point - remember they’d been 3-0 up and out of sight after 15 minutes. Things needed to improve quickly and, like all good teams, they responded and overcame this rough patch in the game and just past the hour mark they made things a bit more comfortable for themselves as Antwoine Hackford slotted home a loose ball to make it 4-2 after Jili Buyabu beat his man (again) and produced a low cross into the area which wasn’t properly dealt with at all by the ‘keeper or defender.

Charlie Staniland then bagged a fifth goal to restore the Blades’ three-goal advantage with one of the best goals I’ve seen in a long time; picking up possession and driving from the middle, slaloming his way past players and then producing an emphatic finish in the blink of an eye (seriously top class and pure instincts) before Sam Aston - on what I believe was his U21s debut added his name to the score-sheet with a well-placed shot from a ball which dropped to him inside the box as the score finished 6-2.

On the whole, there could have been a few more goals and it wouldn’t have flattered the Blades whatsoever if they’d racked up a bigger scoreline but, likewise, there are a few things to reflect upon and improve because Cardiff could quite easily have got themselves back into the game too and equalised.

But right across the pitch there were some very impressive performances.

Jili Buyabu was excellent (as he often is) and I don’t think I’ve seen a left-sided player ANYWHERE at U21s level who is as good as him when it comes to beating his man in one-v-one situations. He’s sharp, he’s quick, he’s nimble - it was shown several times in the first 45 minutes and then again in his contribution for the fourth goal where he provided the ball into the box with a flash of pace/skill quickly followed by the pinpoint cross. His deliveries and end product is usually good and, as a character, his personality shines. He’s always smiling, always happy, an infectious personality, always creates good vibes and has that buzz of enthusiasm and it rubs off so well on so many others around him. He always make me feel happy just watching him! Scouts take note because he is a top, top player in the making; I’ve seen him several times now to know this! And he had a really good game; strong and physical too with the defensive aspects when he needed to be!

The same could be said of Femi Seriki on the right flank; he was sharp and ‘on it’ from minute one (quite literally given he’ll sort of claim the first goal), posed such a strong and persistent threat when he pushed high and got in and around the opposition box and won my admiration with how he played as I’ve not seen as much of him before in comparison to some of the others out on the pitch!

Evan Easton also had a really good debut at centre-back where he brought the ball out of defence a few times, was always looking for a pass, and seemed very, very confident in how he went about stuff. There were a couple of giveaways (it happens; nothing too major) and the biggest point I’d make is that, based on this game, he adds something to this team and that’s obvious from this performance. If there was one criticism of the Blades at U21s level last year, it’s that they were sometimes a bit dodgy defensively but he looked solid and an improvement. It was all positive from him and just a shame he didn’t bury his header just before half-time (one of them - 50p head in his own words) as that would have been the perfect way to cap off his first appearance. Alongside him, Nicksoen Gomis was good with his distribution (a couple of excellent balls on the switch over distance which were pinpoint - top work), whilst Sai Sachdev didn’t have the busiest of games he’ll ever have but still weighed in with a very good assist for Josh Smith’s goal.

In the net, I don’t think there was anything Luke Faxon could really do about either of the two goals he conceded (just two decent finishes) and the other parts of his game were good. In one instance at 3-0, he came out of his area and perfectly read the situation and intercepted the danger, his distribution was good (played a part in the first goal), in the few times he needed to handle the ball he was okay, and he’ll have no qualms about this game.

In midfield, Charlie Staniland was very bright - always had his head up, reading situations, good on the ball, demonstrating that bit of skill a few times and all that was noticeable before his goal which had everything. An explosive burst of pace on the half-turn, then technique, acceleration, balance, slalom, glide, drive and energy followed by the end product which was purely instinctive and superb. Absolutely top class; genuinely one of the best goals I’ve seen in a while and a great way to cap off a good performance. I think everyone inside the ground really appreciated the quality of what they’d just witnessed when that ball hit the net too!

Elsewhere, Anis Ben Slimane’s free-kick was class, Josh Smith likewise with his earlier goal and he showed snippets of what he’s about - some good deliveries too and I know there’s a lot more to come from him and it will reach a point where he’s a stand-out player dominating a few games (because he’s got that in his locker), Antwoine Hackford will be happy to have got one (could have been more had it not been for the ‘keeper) but the one goal at least nudges him onto five goals in the PDL this season so he’s very much amongst one of the top talismen at this level, then Fernando Macedo whose link-up play and movement around the box was very eye-catching; a great dummy for the second goal and lots of positive involvements!

Amongst the substitutes who came on there was loads of quality shown individually from them too which just underlines the incredible depth at SUFC yet again!

Owen Hampson was the stand-out as his ability on the ball, his passing, his link-up play, his close-ball control, creativity, balance under pressure, technique and instinctiveness to just make things happen was a joy to behold on three or four occasions. I’ve seen it before, so I know what he can do anyway, and aspects of his performance here was very reminiscent of a certain Port Vale loanee (no prizes for guessing which one) and I can’t wait to watch him over a sustained spell of five or six games because as long as he stays fit and doesn’t get injured, he’s going to be a shining light who’ll have people on the edge of their seats. This was only 20-25 minutes but what an impression and what a player! Loved what I witnessed and when it unlocks over a sustained period - sit back and admire! He will fly in U21s football!

Sam Aston, likewise, was really positive and attack-minded when he came on. The goal couldn’t have been any simpler (just wait for the ball to drop and roll it in - still good technique nonetheless) but he was bright, sharp, lively, showed good physicality and that was standing out before he put the ball in the back of the net - and then there was Ben Drake who came on was strong, solid and did reasonably well (I’ll watch the game back at some point just to see his bits specifically - liked it), plus Jack Waldron who’ll be happy to have got some minutes and they’re both players in this squad who I want to learn more about as they play more games.

As everyone knows though the depth at Sheffield United is ridiculous; there’s talent everywhere - absolutely no weak link in this team, and when you consider that Sydie Peck, George Dickinson, Jay Tinsdale (announced earlier this week as a new signing from Bradford) and a few others are still to come into this side, then it’s frightening how good this team could be, how sharp the training sessions must be, and the quality that’s there! Seriously! Decent!

You have to see it to appreciate it… and lets not forget those out on loan; Oliver Arblaster, Louie Marsh, Frankie Maguire, Finley Potter - plus a few others, then lads at the older end of the U21s group who are still around the place such as Will Osula and Andre Brooks - lots of these players will go on to forge decent careers for themselves and do well!

Cardiff shouldn’t be too disheartened. Yes, they lost, they got their backsides kicked and they spent large parts of the game behind the ball, but you learn more in a defeat anyway - especially against a good team. 

Let’s remember they were missing a few players (notably Cian Ashford who I’d loved to have seen play because he was really good against Barnsley the other week and I want to watch more of him anyway), they won’t be the only team to be on the end of a big scoreline against Sheffield United this season - and at one point they actually got themselves back into the game too which is testament to their effort.

Had Kyle Kenniford’s shot been a few inches lower and had they made it 3-3, who knows what might have happened? But they didn’t. That’s football sometimes - and the main thing is this will have been a very beneficial game in their development and I wish them the very best of luck for the rest of the season.

But as I said at the start, I feel like I learned loads from watching this game and seeing what was on show - it’s all noted, you never know who might be watching you out on the pitch and who you could be impressing (so maintain those standards), and there were some seriously good impressions made by lads in red and white shirts.

Bits to learn; bits to improve (as Cardiff shouldn’t have been allowed to very nearly get back level after being 3-0 down) but the quality shone through in the end and FIVE different scorers plus lots of good impressions everywhere on the pitch should speak volumes.

Team: Luke Faxon, Femi Seriki, Jili Buyabu, Evan Easton (Ben Drake), Sai Sachdev (Jack Waldron), Nicksoen Gomis, Anis Ben Slimane (Owen Hampson), Charlie Staniland, Antwoine Hackford, Fernando Macedo, Josh Smith (Sam Aston). Unused Sub: Ryan Andrews.