Gainsborough Trinity 0-1 Sheffield United (U21s)

Gainsborough Trinity 0-1 Sheffield United (U21s)

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 27th July 2024

Sheffield United’s U23s will go away from this game and really feel the benefit from it as Riley McLachlan’s goal gave them a 1-0 win at Gainsborough Trinity.

The decisive moment came only 60 seconds from half-time; McLachlan being in the right place at the right time inside the area to steer home a low ball in from the left by Marshall Francis who claimed the assist, before then the second half proved to be a real ‘backs to the wall’ performance and a test of game management as the centre-back trio of Levis Pitan, Dovy Sasnauskas and Zain Tahir showed resilience under pressure to ensure they kept a clean-sheet.

And the best thing about this game is that, unlike Hull City’s U21s game against North Ferriby on Wednesday - where the tempo was a bit tepid, a bit lethargic and it was all a bit too predictable and very boring with lots of playing around at the back and ‘pointless possession’ - this game had none of that.

From the first minute where Gainsborough pressed well and got in the faces of the Blades youngsters, there was a good intensity. There was a desire. There was a willingness. There was lots of bits of needle and physical aspects; Jack Waldron took a boot to the head in the first half, Jili Buyabu was clattered a few times, Jevan Beattie got a whack when he came on - and if these youngsters want to have any chance of forging a career, this game is an eye-opening reality of what to expect. It’s not always nice, it’s not always comfortable, it can be hard and gritty at times, it can be like this game where concentration and focus is required so much to prevent mistakes, and it speaks volumes of the Sheffield United team’s ability that they overcame all that and still achieved a 1-0 win.

They can feel proud of themselves; just as much as Gainsborough can be proud of their own performance - lots of desire, lots of intensity, lots of adrenaline, a few openings, but just that final ball, and that final chance, that they couldn’t get right to get a result.

For me, this was my first chance to watch the Blades’ U21s this season and with several familiar faces from Micky Collins’ U21s absent and supplementing the first team squad who were playing away at Rotherham United at the same time (Sydie Peck, Louie Marsh and Owen Hampson amongst the contingent), it paved the way for some new faces to be on show.

Recent signing Henry Molyneux started between the sticks; Jack Waldron at right-wing-back, a central defensive trio of Levis Pitan, Dovydas Sasnauskas and Zaih Tahir, with Jili Buyabu at left-wing-back. Evan Easton and Sam Aston (sporting the heaviest leg strapping I’ve ever seen) were in the midfield, with Ethan Cummings on the right, Marshall Francis on the left and Riley McLachlan in the No.9 shirt through the middle.

Although the intensity was there from the first minute - Gainsborough pressing to make life difficult for the Blades youngsters (especially when they had time on the ball), there weren’t too many chances at either end during the first 45 minutes.

Evan Easton (skippering the team) is someone I’ve always enjoyed watching and one of his trademark bits of quality distribution nearly led to an opener as he floated a great 40-yard ball through the middle for Riley McLachlan to run onto and although the 16-year-old beat Gainsborough ‘keeper Josh Render to it and rounded him upon entering the box, there were enough covering defenders to stop the danger as the chance came to pass.

Trinity’s best opening at the other end came not long before the half-hour mark when a well-worked free-kick routine saw the ball moved out wide; Declan Howe to Joe Stacey who then crossed perfectly into the area where an unmarked Dylan Cogill planted a free header wide of the target.

The game remained really competitive; Jack Waldron putting his head where it hurts and taking a bang as he bravely defended under pressure inside the Blades’ box on 42 minutes and then just before half-time came the opener.

Evan Easton had the ball in the middle, and although there was an option to knock the ball out to the right where there was a 2-on-1 scenario in United’s favour, Easton instead sprayed a lovely pass out to the left and when Marshall Francis played it across the goalmouth, McLachlan was there gambling and managed to steer it home to put the Blades 1-0 up.

The second half then proved to be a case of the Sheffield United boys defending doggedly at certain times in order to protect that 1-0 lead and making sure they were resolute, coupled with some bits of luck and good fortune which helped them on their way.

By and large, despite the desire and effort being there along with plenty of possession as the Blades were pushed onto the back-foot, Gainsborough’s chances were limited.

One shot was curled narrowly wide from the edge of the ‘D’ on the hour mark, about 10-15 minutes later there was another opportunity when Trinity got the ball inside the box and overcooked it slightly; Declan Howe being forced wide before he could unleash a shot. Bailey Conway also had a penalty appeal quite firmly waved away when he went to ground under a challenge by Evan Easton. 

Elsewhere, amidst a bombardment of crosses at times and even a long-throw which was almost ‘too good’ as it missed everywhere, Levis Pitan had some good grapples with Declan Howe as he tried to contain the threat of last season’s top scorer in the Northern Premier League. And coupled with Dovy Sasnauskas winning everything in the air, Zain Tahir being firm and Henry Molyneux (amongst others) being a good presence in the net - handling well and showing some good bits of game-management to take his time and slow things down, Trinity just couldn’t get an equaliser.

There were three yellow cards for Gainsborough; Jordan Helliwell, Declan Howe and Bailey Conway all going into the referee’s notebook. It was gritty, it was a battle, it was ‘roll your sleeves up, deal with it and get on with it type stuff’ - as Jevan Beattie and Jili Buyabu found out when they got bangs in possession and when that full-time whistle eventually sounded, there’s no doubt the youngsters in red and white shirts will have come off that pitch knowing they’d had to work hard to achieve that win. 

And they’ve got lots to be proud about; it wasn’t always pretty but it’s in these types of games where you learn so much about yourselves.

Individually, the whole Sheffield United backline deserve credit.

It was the first time I’ve seen Henry Molyneux; can’t fault his kicking, handling was good and he added those important bits of game-management at times in both halves (taking his time, sitting on the ball, slowing things down, etc) which were valuable - especially in the latter stages when there were a few heavy legs and pressure needed to be taken off. Good performance.

The whole back three were strong as a unit; Levis Pitan relishing the physical duels and tangles and grapples with Declan Howe - using his strength well and showing his pace where he sprinted back and outpaced the Gainsborough man in the first half. Zain Tahir was steady and solid and Dovy Sasnauskas (a regular in this team despite being 17) was class yet again and a pleasure to watch. Strong in the air where he just won everything, solid positionally and he’s a very, very good defender with plenty of strengths.

Jili Buyabu offered him usual speed and sharpness and twinkle-toed footwork out on the left; Jack Waldron couldn’t be faulted for his application at right-wing-back and was solid defensively, put his body on the line a couple of times and also offered bits going forward.

Sam Aston and Evan Easton (more on him below) were good in the middle; lots of running and lots of effort and Evan’s distribution being phenomenal at times as he just pings the ball like a work of art over long-range, and just really adds so much quality/assuredness in how he sets about it.

There were a couple of times where Marshall Francis got caught on the ball by virtue of just not releasing it quickly enough or being sloppy, but the positions he gets into and the threat he offers, plus his touch and technique, is decent and it’s just reward for him that he claimed the assist. Ethan Cummings was steady; not many stand-out moments but involved in a few bits before he was replaced by Jevan Beattie who has a big frame, seems like a proper good lad with good ability and I’m looking forward to watching him more as the season progresses.

And I can’t speak well enough about Riley McLachlan. This was the first time I’ve watched him but he created a good impression; small, stocky, took his goal well (and good that he gambles and gets into those positions to stick it away) but the most impressive trait was his willingness as he dropped back deep at least twice which I counted (possibly more) into his own half to get on the ball and help move the play on. Very good and those traits are so valuable; something I’ve seen Sam Aston do in the past (and I like) but for Riley to do it as the youngest player on the pitch, at only 16, and put in so much work-rate and score the match-winner too - apparently the second one he’s got in two games, he deserves all the praise.

Lastly though… Evan Easton!

Top player. No surprise he was captain because he’s got all the qualities you’d look for in a leader anyway, and across the entire Professional Development League last season, he probably ranked as the best CB/CDM anywhere. His distribution and passing range always stands out - the floated ball that half-put Riley McLachlan in during the first half being one of 2-3 very good ones in this game, but other aspects of his game were good. He added calmness/composure in CDM, he was strong and good on the ball (turning well under pressure at times and relishing his battles), he used his height effectively - being 6ft2 will help him in his career, he set the move in motion for the goal too. He helped the team and the leadership aspect was there - noticeably towards the end of the second half when (I think) Riley McLachlan played a pass back to Sam Aston, and Evan raised his hands and gave him a little clap in appreciation for it. Evan had a slight ‘lull’ for five minutes early in the second half when the Blades team as a whole came out a bit quiet and, like everyone else with the workload/intensity of the game, I’ve got no doubt he was feeling tired and leggy late on, but he rolled his sleeves up, grafted, dug in, was aggressive when he had to be, has that quality with his movement and style and ability, and he helped the boys massively in achieving this win. 

This would have been Evan’s first 90 minutes in ages too and I can’t speak positively enough. Some people might argue ‘It’s only Gainsborough’ but you’ve got to remember his quality was also there throughout the whole of last year in the PDL when he showed the same characteristics. And when I watch 100-150 games each season, I’m able to compare players against each other and when you see class you appreciate it massively.

Now 19, coming up for 20, I expect he’ll go out on loan this season and if that happens then whoever gets him is going to get a gem of a player with a good attitude (most importantly) who can use both feet, is effective - whether it be at CDM or as a CB, has an undertone of hard aggression with how he sets about things, will give 100%, and he’s honestly one of the most impressive about at U21s level.

Top player! Keep it up! And whatever happens... good luck with things!

Finally… do spare a thought for the young kid in the Main Stand who was walking back to his seat early in the first half, minding his own business, and got clonked by the ball when it bounced into the stand and off something straight into his path. 

I hope the little man’s alright and someone replaced his Cherryade that went everywhere!