Author: beechblade

Sheffield United suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Leicester City on a cold Saturday morning at Shirecliffe, despite taking the lead in the first half. Jamie Hoyland made a number of changes to his side after Wednesday night’s cup game at Rochdale, with Gareth Owen taking the place of injured George Willis. Jason Paling, Kyle Scarisbrick, Ioan Evans and Elliot Ptak started as the entire back four was changed. Otis Khan, Connor Dimaio, Ben Whiteman and Joel Coustrain started in midfield with Jahmal Smith retaining his place up front, and he was joined by his replacement from that…

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Sheffield United’s FA Youth Cup venture was a short one this year as they were beaten 2-1 by Rochdale at Spotland on Wednesday night, despite a spirited performance after being reduced to ten men early in the game. Jamie Hoyland named a strong line up for the visitors; George Willis was in goal after his spell on the substitutes bench with the first team and he had a back four of Jordan Hodder, Chris Salt, Josh Williams and Tyler Williams in front of him, all of whom have represented the under 21 side this season. Jamie-Dean McDonagh was given a…

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Sheffield United’s under 18s will be wondering what might have been after a pulsating game of football against their fierce rivals Wednesday at Middlewood Road on Saturday morning. The Blades were forced into changes with Jordan Hodder absent through injury, so Jason Paling took his place at right back whilst Josh Williams and Chris Salt were the centre half partnership with Tyler Williams playing his usual role at left back. Jamie-Dean McDonagh was on the right wing, Max Pemberton partnered Otis Khan in midfield and Owen Heather started on the left, with regular starters Diego DeGirolamo and Jahmal Smith in…

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* Please note: unfortunately we were asked not to take any photographs today at the Academy. Therefore, as surprising as it may seem, the above is actually a Playmobil reconstruction of Jordan Hodder’s goal rather than the real thing… Sorry Jordan! Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town met at Shirecliffe with both teams looking to continue their perfect start to the season after winning both of their opening games, so at least one winning start was due to be ended on Saturday morning. It wasn’t just one team though, as a 2-2 draw meant the Yorkshire clubs both remained unbeaten in…

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Sheffield United U18’s went into this game looking to build on their impressive victory against Coventry last week, while the hosts Barnsley were looking to make amends after their 5-1 defeat away at Nottingham Forest. The Blades made a few changes to the side that won that game against the Sky Blues, as they introduced a few players who would have been playing in the under 21 fixture at home to Barnsley on Monday afternoon had it not been postponed. Jason Paling, Kyle Scarisbrick and Elliot Ptak all made way for Jordan Hodder, Chris Salt and Tyler Williams. The midfield…

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Coventry City were the visitors to Shirecliffe with a good reputation after a solid pre-season, which included a 6-1 victory over Liverpool, but Sheffield United’s under 18s have had a good pre-season themselves and started the new season in the same vein as the majority of their friendlies – with a win. Sheffield United made three changes to the side that had beat Birmingham a week ago, introducing three first years to the side. Jason Paling came in at right back, Kyle Scarisbrick at centre half and Elliot Ptak started the game at left back. Otis Khan was moved from…

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Sheffield United’s under 18s ensured it would be an unbeaten pre-season with this 2-1 victory over a big, physically strong and athletic Birmingham City side. For their size though, they could play a bit and gave the Blades the biggest test that I’ve seen in all pre-season games at Shirecliffe so far this term. Pemberton made a few changes to the side that beat Walsall last week, with a couple of players in unfamiliar positions as the Blades started in a flat 4-4-2 instead of the diamond. Otis Khan started instead of Jordan Hodder at right back after his appearance…

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This was the Blades U18’s penultimate friendly after a strong campaign so far in pre-season. The youngsters kept up their good run of results with a 1-0 win over Walsall, who gave United a good test and looked a good footballing outfit. United lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond formation; Owen Heather and Jahmal Smith were heading the attack with Diego DeGirolamo behind them at the front of the diamond. Max Pemberton and the two signings from Manchester United, Ben Whiteman and Otis Khan, were the other three in the midfield with Whiteman in the deeper role. Across the back…

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