Sheffield United (U21s) 4-2 Swansea City (U21s)

Sheffield United (U21s) 4-2 Swansea City (U21s)

Professional Development League Play-Off Semi-Final

Monday 20th May 2024

Some games are quality to be there in person to witness and Sheffield United’s U21s were in top form as they cruised into the Professional Development League Play-Off Final for the second consecutive year, with this 4-2 victory over Swansea City at Bramall Lane.

In his post-match comments, Micky Collins praised the lads character, hard work and commitment throughout and I honestly couldn’t agree more. 

For long spells and large parts, the boys in red and white shirts dominated and bullied a good Swansea side in certain areas of the pitch. They were clinical and ruthless. The work-rate across the whole team was outstanding and the quality was there in so many different areas. Right to left, defence and attack; whether it be Marshy, Sai Sachdev, Dovydas Sasnauskas, Owen Hampson or Evan Easton, etc, it was a case of top players combining together and producing a top performance on a really good night for everyone.

As has been so often the case when watching the Blades at this level over the past few years, it was ‘Sir’ Louie Marsh (must be due a knighthood by now) who got things going with a bullet strike which flew past Swansea ‘keeper Evan Watts in just the 11th minute.

Jay Tinsdale then made it 2-0 with a brilliant piece of skill not long past the half-hour mark where he cut inside from the left, used every bit of his energy to probe and worry the defenders, had a bit of good fortune to supplement his technique, and then slammed a shot into the corner past a full-stretch ‘keeper.

The Blades then created other chances to extend their lead as firstly Marshy, then Owen Hampson, saw efforts palmed away - and if they’d made it 3-0 then it probably would have been ‘Game Over’ as a contest well before half-time.

Instead, the Welsh team had other ideas and they pulled one back just two minutes prior to the interval when Glory Nzingo gloriously (and single-handedly) took the situation by the scruff of the neck by drifting forwards into a shooting position, looking up and lifting a sublime and swirling shot beyond Luke Faxon’s reach from about 25 yards.

What the Blades needed next was to restore their two-goal lead again and they couldn’t have made a better start to the second half as it was 3-1 within only two minutes.

Louie Marsh turned from scorer to provider - brilliantly flicking the ball past Swansea’s Kai Ludvingsen and charging forward… and with Sam Aston advancing alongside him (and unmarked) through the centre, Marshy picked out the perfect pass - oozing quality, which Sam gobbled up by slotting the ball home. Brilliant composure and a brilliant, brilliant piece of unselfish play by Marshy that will live long in the memory and is another classic case of why I love watching him so much!

Things soon got even better for the lads as 3-1 became 4-1 with Evan Easton helping to set in motion a great piercing and passing move where the ball was worked from back to front over a 30-second period which culminated in Zain Tahir involved in and then finishing off the move. Yet again, sublime football; it was quality and on a night of so many good goals, this one in particular epitomised everything which was so positive and sharp about the Blades performance!

Although they weren’t ever going to come back by this point, Swansea didn’t give up and on 82 minutes they pulled a goal back through Tom Woodward whose powerful drive from inside the box beat Luke Faxon and just a couple of minutes later, there might have been another twist had Fax not got fingertips to an effort from distance which looked as if it might find the net.

In the end though, there weren’t any further goals and the Blades will now play Birmingham City in the Play-Off Final in a date and time still yet to ‘officially’ be announced, but it’s very likely to be some point later this week.

Again, I can’t speak highly enough about the performance tonight - and I echo everything what Micky Collins said in his post-match interview.

All the qualities were there both individually and collectively and it was high quality stuff against a good Swansea side who are tidy, technical, but who were beaten by the better team.

Louie Marsh was just Louie Marsh (hence why he’s a pleasure to watch and why I back his ability to the hilt) and he’s proved his worth so many times through his productivity. Sai Sachdev caused problems all night out on the right flank and was in torturous form. There were four really good goals scored where credit is worthy with each one. Owen Hampson was class at times and controlled lots of things (fantastic to witness). Some of his passes were perfect. Some things didn’t quite come off (that’s football; it happens) but I’ll always admire and respect a player who tries to be creative and make things happen and when Owen is on form, as he was tonight, he can be so influential and one of the best player’s on the pitch. Billy Blacker was also good (lovely technique on the half-turn in the second half which raised a smile all round the ground). 

Levis Pitan seemed accomplished all night. Zain Tahir played a great part in the fourth goal which all but ended Swansea’s hopes of a comeback.

Evan Easton and Dovydas Sasnauskas worked well together - both strong, committed, looking aggressive in their work, and it felt a privilege to watch them (and I can’t praise Evan’s contribution enough whether it be for the fourth goal or his distribution). Just a top, top, top defensive performance by him.

And just all-round a top, top performance… brilliant to be there to witness it, but of course, only half-a-job done as winning a Play-Off Semi-Final means very little if you don’t then go on and win the next one.

That game with Birmingham will be fantastic to watch because both teams have been strong in the PDL North throughout the season. They’re rightly the best two teams and there’ll be some fantastic battles in that game. 

How will Evan Easton and Dovy fare against Junior Dixon - Birmingham’s talisman and one of the best in the league this season? Can the Blues contain Marshy - or will he provide that flash of inspiration? How much of an impact can others make? How tight will it be? And dare anyone mention it but… penalties? Could it really go all the way to that?

I’m looking forward to it massively already and these are the ones where the best (and worst) memories in football can be created.

For some Blades players who featured in last year’s PDL Play-Off Final at Millwall, it’s a chance to right the wrongs of that night at The Den. The desperation in the latter stages which turned into dejection at the final whistle, the solemn sighs of sadness as Millwall hoisted the trophy aloft and celebrated with ‘Rocking All Over The World’ playing aloud.

If you were there watching that night, or if you played in that game, you remember those feelings and have to use it as fuel and motivation ahead of what promises to be a tough game against Birmingham, but one where victory will be the sweetest feeling of the season and the opportunity is there for someone to be the hero.

Relish it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. It’s got the potential to be a cracker!

See you there!

Sheffield United 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Sheffield United 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League

Sunday 19th May 2024

Barnsley (U21s) 2-0 Burnley (U21s)

Barnsley (U21s) 2-0 Burnley (U21s)

Professional Development League

Tuesday 14th May 2024

It’s been a decent season for Barnsley at Under 21s level.

The Reds have already achieved their highest ever position in the Professional Development League North (4th) and in this final game of the season they emerged as comfortable 2-0 winners over Burnley thanks to goals by Fabio Jalo and Theo Chapman.

On a South Yorkshire afternoon which saw rain in the first half (cue everyone scampering back to the wooden seats in the West Stand) followed by sunshine in the second half, there were lots of positives about Barnsley’s performance.

It wasn’t all entirely straightforward or rosey and perfect (football never is) because initially in the first 10-15 minutes, Burnley looked comfortably the better team and had the better chances. One early shot was flashed just an inch wide of the post, Kieran Flavell in his bright pink boots was forced into bits and pieces of work, and with Barnsley struggling to ‘get out’ and finding themselves penned in, pushed back and too deep, Charlie Hickingbottom also had to be ruthless by throwing himself infront of a shot - something which is a blueprint of what he’s all about as a player.

After the slow start and as the heavens opened, Barnsley then got a foothold and before half-time they established a 1-0 lead when Fabio Jalo curled in a free-kick from the edge of the box, via the post.

It could have been 2-0 before the break as Jalo had the ball in the net again after some good work by Aaron Atkinson who unselfishly got free down the right and laid it to him on a plate inside the six-yard box, but the Portuguese talisman was judged to have strayed offside.

Nevertheless, only 15 seconds into the second half, Jalo was at his predatory best as he played a crucial part in helping Barnsley get a second goal.

Straight from Burnley’s own kick-off, the ball was played back to a defender and having dispossessed him and broken away, he was purposely pulled down inside the box. A definite penalty yet surprisingly no card despite the impulsive shirt-pulling to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity - and just like he did against Hull City a little over a week ago, Theo Chapman then stepped up to convert by sending the ‘keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0.

For a spell thereafter, and as substitutes began to enter the pitch at different intervals, it seemed like Barnsley might bag a third as they had more possession, looked in their element, and were on top.

But in the end, Burnley finished the stronger and got their act together by the latter stages with Kieran Flavell forced into action twice - each time showing every inch of his 6ft7 frame to pull off two quality reflex saves, whilst Charlie Hickingbottom also made another good block in the final few minutes.

The work-rate and application was all there and the clean-sheet which Barnsley ultimately kept (Kieran Flavell’s fourth in five games) was richly deserved and it was a good reward for the lads’ collective effort in the game. Plus, it was a good way to end what has been a very positive season with the club’s highest-ever position secured in the PDL North already assured before this game anyway.

The two stand-out performers were Kieran Flavell and Charlie Hickingbottom.

Kieran wasn’t just good with his saves (three top ones) but he was also good with his feet, kicked cleanly throughout and didn’t shank anything. He commanded his box well and offered an ‘assuredness’ and sense of reliability to the defence infront of him. At 6ft7 his presence between the post is, quite literally, massive and he never once looked phased under pressure either - even in the 2-3 instances where he was being closed down by Burnley’s attackers. All the elements of his individual game were good so it’s worthy recognition he’s earned and another clean-sheet will only increase his confidence. His left-foot is unique for a keeper too (certainly not many of them about) albeit the pink boots need to be hidden in an attic never to be seen again (definitely not for me mate).

Charlie Hickingbottom was just solid and again showed an old-school willingness to just be a leader and throw himself infront of things defensively which is one of the reasons why I rate him highly anyway because you don’t see those qualities often enough in U21s football. What is his best position? I’m not certain. But with the ability to be versatile and do a solid job either in a CDM spot or at CB (where he featured today), then I’ve got no doubts - and never will have - that he will be a success once he goes out into the world of mens football. He’s got the ability to match the willingness to want to battle, plus the leadership element, and they’re all good traits.

Elsewhere, Aaron Atkinson did alright - would have got an assist had it not been for the offside, made two good defensive interceptions in the early stages (clearing a corner and dropping back deep to do that work - good traits) and also showed a decent first touch to bring the ball down infront of the West Stand early into the second half which drew applause. And as I said on this blog very early on in the season, he’s added something to this team this season and that’s been backed up by his goals/assists tally, plus the improvement on the team’s overall league position.

Harrison Nejman was cool and composed on the ball in that late period where Burnley were applying pressure. Nathan James had a steady game - some good bits of aggression, and I don’t think I’ve seen him have a poor game yet in the 10+ times that I’ve watched him. 

Hayden Pickard also deserves a mention because although he was substituted not long after being tackled on the far side (hopefully just a knock and nothing more serious), he’s consistently got better as time has gone on and looks established in this team nowadays. No massive contributions in this game but the tackle against Hull the other week raises a smile - and highlights his qualities defensively. He’s been playing U21s football since he was a first-year scholar at 16, it shows, and good luck to him over the next year because he’s really consolidated that spot and is doing well.

And when Josh McKay came on, he did very well in one instance in the latter stages - turning inside when being pressed after showing his marker the outside. Good stuff and in his 20 minutes or so after replacing the trialist right-back (who was steady), Josh gave a decent account of himself.

For plenty of the lads who played in this game - plus others at the club but not involved today, it’s now that uncertain time of the season where people will soon learn if they’re being released or if they’re being offered new contracts ahead of the retained list being published.

Whatever the case may be, good luck to all the lads - it’s been a pleasure watching your games at different points this season, learning different things about what you all offer as players, and I’m sure you’ll all have different memories to look back upon or stories to smile about whether you’re plodding out to represent Barnsley or someone else next season.

And well done on getting another win to end this season on a positive note!

Barnsley 1-3 Bolton Wanderers

Barnsley 1-3 Bolton Wanderers

Sky Bet League One Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg

Friday 3rd May 2024

At half-time, as the two teams were trudging back towards the players tunnel, ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ started blazing out over the PA system.

Well… some Barnsley fans might have done so by now!

Randell Williams’ injury-time goal straight from a corner restored Bolton Wanderers’ two-goal advantage on the night and gave them huge momentum going into Tuesday’s second leg at the Reebok Stadium (will always be called that to me) on a night when the Trotters looked slick, sharp and a cut above Barnsley for long spells.

Ricardo Santos was a man-mountain at the back; a colossus - winning balls, blocking everything that came his way and just being tremendous to watch. I can’t recall seeing a defensive performance like it. Dion Charles offered the quality and bagged two goals either side of half-time which took his tally for the season past 20. Corey O’Keefe and Paris Maghoma provided the class with piercing crosses in the first half that cut Barnsley apart. Aaron Collins did the running and was a pleasure to watch as he so often is (him and DC work well together). Nathan Baxter made vital saves, including that flying fingertip one from a header, when he was called upon at a crucial period in the game.

And right throughout the Wanderers team, the spirit, the togetherness, the willingness to give everything, do the Play-Offs and fight for each other stood out a mile. Plus the glowing confidence and the overwhelming sense of determination and the self-belief they’ve got in each other was so evident. Right now BWFC have a special group of players - that is absolutely obvious!

Compare and contrast - and any Barnsley fans who’ve stumbled upon this blog might want to stop reading at this point because I don’t quite know what they were trying to achieve at times. Playing about at the back before launching long and often over-hit balls forward to John McAtee who was isolated. Devante Cole offering zero support, playing like he couldn’t be bothered in the biggest game of the season, barely moving to get into the right areas and putting in the type of performance that is akin to throwing a manager under the bus. Neill Collins has already gone? This performance definitely didn’t help Martin Devaney’s chances of getting the job on a permanent basis!

For 60-65 minutes, bar a few flashes, it wasn’t good from the Reds. 2-0 down at home, it was limp and lacklustre - and no wonder there was ironic applause from quite a few sections of the ground when Devante Cole was eventually substituted.

It says a lot that Sam Cosgrove then came on, completely changed the game, scored, gave the home fans genuine hope when it seemed lost, single-handedly pulled the Reds to within a whisker of an equaliser and got the ‘Man Of The Match’ award (cue some more ironic cheers). He has to start the second leg and it’s the most obvious change a team will ever make!

The tie isn’t over - and Barnsley’s ‘comeback’ (of sorts) from adversity in this game offers hope, but Randell Williams corner in injury-time which bounced up and beat Liam Roberts - just moments after he pulled off a brilliant save in a one-on-one, will still be spinning through plenty of minds as I write this and that goal certainly given Bolton all the momentum and impetus ahead of the second leg, and will feel like a dagger through the heart of the Reds’ chances.

It might have been 2-2 had it not been for two outstanding saves by Nathan Baxter when Barnsley were piling on the pressure, yet instead it’s ‘chasing two goals’ again. It could have been different. Maybe it should have been. A sliding doors moment for Barnsley’s chances of promotion which will mean they’re off to Mansfield next season rather than Wembley in a few weeks? We’ll see!

The first goal in the second leg is now going to be so important. If Bolton get it then it might well be ‘Goodnight Vienna’ but the Reds know they’re going to have to put in the performance of the season to somehow haul themselves back level and give themselves a chance again.

At least they’ll have Sam Cosgrove starting!