Blades beat Real Madrid...

[7UpJordan]

And will take on Valencia in the final of a U13/14 tournament in Spain tonight.

http://www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/U19Report/0,,10418~1053795,00.html

 

[Linz]

Please C&P all articles from official site when posting them on here. They have a habit of going missing and not everyone has a registration.

Blades kids in Final

Forsyth AcademyA Blades team is set to contest the final of the most prestigious competition in Spain at U13/U14 level on Sunday night - after beating Real Madrid!

The Academy youngsters, led by Ron Reid and Scott Sellars, are in Totana, Murcia, and poised to take on Valencia, the team that pipped them in the group stage on goal difference.

They played out a goalless draw but the Blades beat Real Madrid through a Corey Gregory goal, and also local outfit Totana by 2-0. Adam Hinchcliffe's 25 yarder and a diving header from Joe Coy ensured qualification for the semi-final, against Villareal, the winners from the second group.

In a frantic final five minutes Reece Hands converted a penalty after he was brought down, and United keeper Sam Andrews pulled off some great saves to thwart the ensuing barrage.

Valencia now stand in the way of a famous win after they disposed of Athletico Madrid 1-0 in the other semi-final. Athletico Bilbao and Murcia were the other two teams eliminated in the second group.

Last season the United squad finished eighth of eight teams but many of the youngsters then were young enough to qualify again this time and have used that experience to plot a course to tonight's final.

 

[S64 Blade]

Great to see the young ones beating some of Europe's top side's academies. Very promising indeed.

 

[Pedders]

a very good acomplishment by the young lads well done

 

[happyhippy]

Tremendous effort!

 

[jodman]

No doubt nerves will play a part and some of the players may be a little star struck; but i'm sure the young Spannish lads will cope

 

[matth]

Young Blades excel in Spain

Forsyth AcademyUnited's Academy finished as runners-up in one of Spain's most prestigious youth competitions - the City of Totana Tournament.

Academy boss Ron Reid took a team of U13s and U14s to La Manga to face the cream of Spain's top schoolboy talent and only a disastrous final against Valencia prevented the Blades from returning home victorious.

United suffered the worst possible start when an own goal from Sam Buffon handed Valencia the lead in final. Reece Hands levelled following a throw by Callum McFadzean but the Spaniards grabbed the lead again before the break.

Sweltering temperatures began to take their toll after the break as Valencia opened up a 3-1 lead, although a second goal from Corey Gregory gave United hope.

United pushed Valencia back late on and Danny Deakin hit the crossbar with a free-kick but the Spanish side took advantage of holes in the Blades defence late on to add a fourth in the final minute.

Coach Reid said: "The final result was disappointing but we have learned so much and the lads have done so well - it's been a fantastic weekend. Sam Andrews was named goalkeeper of a tournament and with the level of consistency being very high a few of our lads caught the eye of scouts from some of the top sides."

Earlier in the tournament, the Blades drew with Valencia in the group stakes, beat Real Madrid thanks to a Corey Gregory goal and also defeated local outfit Totana thanks to Adam Hinchcliffe's 25-yard strike and a diving header from Joe Coy.

In the semi-final, the Blades beat Villarreal - winners of the other group - after tense late drama. Hands scored from a penalty after he was brought down and United goalkeeper Andrews pulled off a number of fine saves.

Last season the United squad finished eighth out of eight teams but many of the youngsters then were young enough to qualify again this time and have used that experience to plot a course to the final.

Good effort!