Sheffield United (U21s) 3-0 Hull City (U21s)

Sheffield United (U21s) 3-0 Hull City (U21s)

Professional Development League

Monday 2nd October 2023

At the end of last season, when I realised I’d watched 144 games, in one of those moments of self-reflection I thought ‘there’s no way I’m doing that many next season’.

We’re now at the start of October and, already, this game was the 50th that I’ve seen live this season!

The U21 Professional Development League is the level I enjoy watching the most - there’s some good players out there and a few were on show in this game as Sheffield United (the ‘Galacticos’ at Category Two level) maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 win over Hull City.

Benie Traore bagged two goals and Ryan One got the other to keep up his good form since arriving from Hamilton (the Scotland U19s call-up isn’t too bad either) and Ben Drake put in a seriously impressive performance which will make me remember this game (and probably remind him about it when he’s flying in his career) but all that said, Hull can count themselves unfortunate with the 3-0 scoreline because they weren’t actually that bad.

After a strong first five minutes by United, for the next half-hour, Hull were probably the better team and gave a decent account of themselves.

By no means were United at their fluid best but Hull really went toe-to-toe, competed, and carved out the best of the openings - the best of them being when Jevon Mills forced a save from Luke Faxon after he cleverly ran round the back of everyone to latch onto a set-piece (coming just after Charlie Staniland received a blow to the nose and needed treatment - one which definitely hurt). Faxon also had to come off his line to intervene and clear the danger a couple of times (decent goalkeeping) and when Jim Simms caught a sight of goal from outside the box in a move where the Blades’ defence was a bit stretched, the No.10 could only slice his shot wide on his weaker foot. 

Nathan Tinsdale was also very positive in the first half (lots of notable contributions), but in the 10 minutes or so up to half-time, Sheffield United began to get on top again - and after a few closes shaves and pressure in high areas, they finally made it pay when Femi Seriki got the better of Ajay Weston inside the box and drew a foul. The referee had no option, it was a penalty, and Beni Traore smashed the ball home.

The goal was harsh on Hull because they’d done alright up to this point, yet now they were still behind against the PDL North pace-setters, chasing the game, and had work to do.

The next goal was always going to be important in terms of the result and after the break all the fortune seemed to be on Sheffield United’s side!

Alfie Taylor was forced off just a couple of minutes into the second half during a passage of play which saw him get a boot in the head from his own team-mate as they both slid in to win the same ball before it broke to Ryan One who lashed over, and then the Tigers conjured up a great chance when Ajay Weston whipped a delicious cross into the box from the left which Ben Drake got the slightest of touches to in order to thwart Jim Simms.

It was a massive moment because an equaliser would have been good for the game, yet that chance going begging proved all the more crucial when the Blades soon doubled their lead as Andre Brooks worked his way across the box with some silky footwork and beat a few men (great skill) before the ball ricocheted again to Ryan One who produced a composed finish into the roof of the net this time.

If those two moments had gone the opposite way, then we’d have had a really intriguing last 30-35 minutes in store.

Instead, Hull’s misfortune went from bad to worse as Nathan Tinsdale was sent-off (straight red card) for a foul on Andre Brooks on the hour mark. The referee was in a prime position; Brooks’ squeal as contact was made could be heard all the way up at the top of the stand and although I didn’t see it at the time (so can’t comment on whether it was worthy of a straight red or not - nor have I seen it back yet), what it did do was pretty much kill the game.

To the Tigers’ credit, they kept going despite the man disadvantage, kept trying and I really can’t fault their endeavour or application in the last 30 minutes - especially Jim Simms who covered so much ground and worked relentlessly to press the ‘keeper and try and make something happen.

But a third goal for the Blades always felt more likely now.

They did have the ball in the net late on when Benie Traore finished in acrobatic style and was just about to celebrate when he saw the linesman’s flag (needless to say he was gutted as the finish was top quality), and after more pressure which included Fernando Macedo curling one narrowly wide, plus Jay Tinsdale (twin brother of Nathan who was red carded for Hull) coming on for his U21s debut, they finally made it 3-0 when Traore ran at his man and drove a low shot past Owen Foster on the brink of injury-time.

It could have even been 4-0 by the end because with all the time from the stoppages added on (resulting in the game not finishing until 3.58pm - not good if you’ve got a train to catch 10 minutes later) the Blades twice went close as Fernando Macedo had a shot and Ben Drake also had one hooked one off the line by Ajay Weston right at the end as well.

In reflection, Hull can count themselves unfortunate because they tried to be positive. If they’d got to half-time at 0-0, or even scored in the half-hour spell where they were the better team, or if Jim Simms’ header had gone in to make it 1-1, or if Nathan Tinsdale hadn’t been red carded, who knows how things might have panned out? On a different day, this game would have ended in a more positive scoreline for them!

Even though they weren’t at their most fluid in comparison to the past few weeks where they’ve bopped most teams they’ve played against, United always had that little bit more quality about them though. It’s to be expected when they’ve got Benie Traore starting as he’s already racked up five Premier League appearances this season but, besides him, the depth and quality they’ve got at U21s level overall is why they’re top of the league and, ultimately, it’s why they won quite this game comfortably in the end.

Individually, I thought Henry Sandat was good for Hull - a silly yellow card (didn’t need to make the tackle where he did as there’s nothing to be gained from it in that position), but he showed a lot of good movement, made some intelligent runs and was a threat. 

Nathan Tinsdale had an alright game up to his red card. He picked up a lot of second balls and offered a spark going forward at 0-0 - the best example of which came when he was on the receiving end of an accidental flailing hand (I think from Ben Drake) near the halfway line, yet still nipped in to win the ball when it broke loose, and then 10-15 seconds later was in the middle of the pitch trying to orchestrate a positive move - good work. He did concede possession cheaply in one instance where he dropped back to receive it off the ‘keeper just before half-time (it happens - just needed to put his foot through it more) but, again, he was certainly one of Hull’s best players up to the red card and ought to be content with his performance. I’ve seen a lot worse!

Jevon Mills was also okay in parts; an aerial threat and often the target at set-plays who the Tigers aimed for (brilliant run for his early chance because nobody in a Sheffield United shirt read the danger or picked him up). And in two other instances in the second half, he was the target from the deliveries, plus he also cleared one off the line (I think) just before half-time. Again, not bad, and I’ve seen worse from players in his position!

Ajay Weston did some alright things; the cross which so nearly led to an equaliser and also mopping up the danger on the goal line - likewise Owen Foster between the sticks who’ll be happy to be playing games and didn’t do too bad bar one fumble in injury-time (it happens; wet conditions and it didn’t result in a goal so no big deal).

And then there was Jim Simms who played as a No.10 in this game (last week vs Coventry he was a No.9) but again he showed some good bits. He had a couple of efforts, on the ball he was alright and trying to be positive - good flight, technique, touch, control and balance. All noticeable. Out of possession, his work-rate was so impressive (constantly running and trying his hardest to help out the team). He didn’t get much out of Ben Drake who was marking him and was rock solid, but when Simms has the ball at his feet then he’s a threat for sure. Having seen him twice now over the past week, I’m confident that so long as he keeps doing what he’s doing, then at some point it will inevitably click for him - there’ll be a goals/assists return (and his record in that department isn’t bad already) and when it does click, then it’ll be a pleasure to see. So many good traits. So many good characteristics. It wasn’t to be in this game (it happens) but it will come at some point for him and I’m 100% certain about that. I can easily envisage him doing well in mens football.

For Sheffield United, the undoubted top performer was Benie Traore (two goals and the one that was disallowed was even better - fabulous technique but when he’s played in the Premier League you expect him to shine in a development game anyway. Ryan One will be pleased with another goal in the U21s good finish. He shouldn’t have got a yellow card (bit of a pointless one to get) but, overall, a good day for him. Andre Brooks’ contribution for the second goal was very good and an example of his qualities. Jay Tinsdale was sharp in his 10-15 minute cameo; driving with the ball a few times. Owen Hampson had some nice touches; not his busiest game, wanted to see a bit more from him, but he’s a superb footballer and has showed that several times in the past. Charlie Staniland (nose must be hurting this morning) got better as the game progressed, whilst Fernando Macedo certainly looked sharp, energetic and bright when he came off the bench which was partly-reflected in all his involvements in the late pressure as he tried to get a goal for himself.

However, the one player who impressed me by far the most was Ben Drake.

Playing at LCB and left-footed (take note), there were a couple of instances where I thought he was a bit ‘clingy’ to the shirt of his man and where I thought the attacker might get past him or get brought down. I think it happened once where he conceded a free-kick in that situation (might be wrong) and there is room for improvement there, but other than that he was pretty much rock solid and very assured. He won three of his four individual duels with Jim Simms during the first half (and as explained above, Jim Simms is a good player), then he also prevented Simms from finding the net in the second half. On top of that, his distribution was good throughout the whole 90 minutes. Good technique on the ball too and he looked comfortable with it at his feet and under pressure. He was physical and dominant - showed that multiple times when it was needed, he was combative, got stuck in, was aggressive. Lots of good qualities. He read the game well and seemed to be out there enjoying himself and loving his defending which was rewarded with a clean-sheet he played a massive part in keeping. Plus, it was his cross that nearly squirmed in at the end; it would have been the icing on the cake after a very good performance, but I’ve a lot of respect for what I saw.

Given his age (he’s only a first-year pro) then he’s got plenty of time to develop and really hone in on certain aspects of his game to get even better, but based on this performance and the qualities he’s clearly already got plus his little cameo against Cardiff the other week where he showed similar characteristics, I really don’t have to stretch my imagination very far at all to envisage Ben Drake doing well at a decent level in first team football in a few years from now. I’ll always back my own judgements because I’ve seen 1,800 games, lots of players, all sorts of ability - and I see the quality in him massively!

I wasn’t at the Barnsley game last week (too busy watching players in Scotland instead) so I can’t comment on the specifics of what happened in that particular game, but the fact is Ben Drake played in it, the Blades kept a clean-sheet, and it’s another thing which paints him in a positive light. So clearly he’s doing something right to be where he is (and doing well) and long may it continue.

And all else I’ll say for anyone who happens to read this is just make a note of his name and monitor his progress, because he’s a player genuinely worth keeping an eye on, with a lot of impressive attributes, and the fact he’s left-footed is another massive thing in his favour too!

Good player!

This will be my only PDL game this week; sadly I’m missing Barnsley vs Peterborough today (and the chance to have another look at Kai Corbett) because I’m at Dorking vs Kidderminster tonight instead - completing a visit to every ground in the National League at long last!

So maybe I will yet reach 144 games again this season? Who knows?