Into the Valley: U18s v Charlton Athletic Matchday Thread

[Sharrowblade]

1-1

 

[Sharrowblade]

Rammers 2-1

 

[PeteBlade]

Well, shit.

 

[IMABLADE]

Well, that was horrible. Another playoff lose, keeping that tradition going right through the youth

 

[spongebobblade]

Unlucky blades

 

[Sharrowblade]

Internet cut out. Brodie litchfield miss and shea gordon does the same. Blades lose 4-3. Unlucky boys.

 

[jayhattonblade]

Credit to the lads though battled well

 

[BushBlade]

Tough luck. Didn't really deserve to win tbf but great effort.

 

[Deadbat]

Charlton win on pens. Good effort by lads from what I saw but Charlton battered us most of second half and extra time and fully deserved the win.

Still aren't United a much younger side than many at this level?

Very impressed by the keeper Ramsdale. Looks a great talent. The lad Hall was good up top too.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Well done. Showed great resilience against bigger, older, stronger lads.

 

[Eskimo]

We'll done lads. Keep the faith, one day................

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

Fantastic effort by a young team. Good years ahead of them.

 

[Foxy]

Safe journey home Sharrowblade

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Pride in the shirt, went down fighting. What more can you ask? Great effort against a very good side.

Really liked the look of Ramsdale, Semple & the lad at left back too.

 

[Grappler]

I think I am right in saying that some of our under 18's are only 16? A very young side. We were more physical, but Charlton seemed to have a touch more pace and got the rub of the green on many occasions when the ball bounced to them when it could have been us.

Great effort and the lads put a real shift in, some very promising looking players for the future.

Well done lads.

 

[Sharrowblade]

Just echoing the many comments tonight. Thanks to workingtonblade for sidekick duties (lol). Cheers Foxy. Currently at Thurrock having me tea.

 

[Sharrowblade]

Dont forget blades u21s at home saturday 1pm ko

 

[Sharrowblade]

Finally, Kev did not offer me the managers job, said Hammond was going to be player manager. Bravo. Good night and thanks for reading. UTB.

 

[bornablade]

They looked absolutely knackered at the end. Well done to you all for giving 100%.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Just back, first time I've been to see any of our youth team ever. That was a bit exhausting. Great effort, and some encouraging performances. However, I have to say from my view looked comfortable throughout that 2nd half and then threw it away – which seemed in no small way down to our decision to close out for a win. Subbing Hallam off for Adebowale moved Cummings forward to sit just in front of the defence, at a time when Cummings had made several crucial blocks of shots. In that one change we invited pressure while moved one of our better performers on the night away from where he was doing well.

I'm not going to do ratings, but some thoughts on those that appeared...

Ramsdale (GK): did very well, seems a more vocal version of Long with similar other attributes (better at shot-stopping, mixed bag with crosses and distribution). Could perhaps have done better on the goal, but otherwise looked decent. Very confident stepping up 2nd in the shootout too.

Charlesworth (RB): thought he started shakily, but improved as the game wore on. Defensively sound, reasonable acceleration, but too often lumped it hopefully forward a bit aimlessly.

Brown (LB): tidy performance, and in the first half in particular was a part of several decent bits of interplay going forward. At times outmuscled.

Cummings (RCB): was excellent 2nd half I thought, before being switched to sit in front of the defence after 80mins as we tried to close it out. Not a dominant player aerially, but seemed to be in the right place at the right time to make blocks, and I think headed it off the line in one instance.

Semple (LCB): I was very impressed. That first half in particular he won everything in the air. And I'm not talking about the McEveley-type heading of deflecting a deep long ball a few yards forward – this was Morgan-esque half-clearing all-force. One such header actually sent Hall clear one-on-one. Bonus: he's left-footed too.

Crofts (RW): started left wing then was switched with Smith midway through the first half. Another tidy player, but didn't get into the game enough in my opinion.

K.Smith (LW): started on the right, but moved left. Involved in several of our good moves on the break, and Ramsdale looked to pick him out at every opportunity. Best move of the match resulted from a long run of his involving Brown and Gordon, he couldn't quite get a shot away. Didn't test the keeper as much as I expected.

Gilmour (CM): interesting game. His long throws caused problems first half. Had a few encouraging moments where he cleaned up and distributed, would at times make a wild challenge or two (including giving away the free kick before half time that led to Ramsdale's save)

Gordon (CM, captain): looks strong, and involved in much of our decent football. His strength led to him winning the free kick we scored from. At times switched off a little, meaning passes or headers were too short for teammates.

Hall (ST): very hardworking, pressed the defence where possible with Hallam. Has some strength, but not clinical enough this evening. I would imagine he and Ironsides may have looked similar at this age.

Hallam (ST): looked to always be involved. He'd take every corner, and every free-kick in the attacking half. Lovely free-kick to open the scoring. Faded a bit in the 2nd half, but didn't look tired when he came off. Would have been a good option to keep on for extra time.

Of the subs, Litchfield was notable for his run half the length of the pitch that deserved a goal, sadly hit straight at the keeper.

 

[larkymasher]

There is a good chance young Callum Semple will start the 21s final on Saturday . He has started last 14 or so 21s games.
At 16 or 17 years old has a real chance.
Must have racked up 50 appearances this season with 18s and 21s

 

[LoughboroBlade]

There is a good chance young Callum Semple will start the 21s final on Saturday . He has started last 14 or so 21s games.
At 16 or 17 years old has a real chance.
Must have racked up 50 appearances this season with 18s and 21s

He looks strong. I hadn't realised that was his age at all. If that's his rate of progression I'd consider chucking him in to the cup games next season for the first team.

 

[larkymasher]

Yes but at that age that's when you want the likes of Morgan to play along side a young player to help them . At the moment we don't have those kind of pros to help bring the youngsters on.
I am pleased you enjoyed watching the kids. At least they look as though SUFC means something to them !

 

[finlaytheblade]

Well, that was horrible. Another playoff lose, keeping that tradition going right through the youth

I was waiting to see who would be first to come out with a negative. Imablade you have won the prize

 

[larkymasher]

Yep, what prize shall get?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I was waiting to see who would be first to come out with a negative. Imablade you have won the prize

While ultimately a defeat, at least our keeper was able to comfortably score from the penalty spot rather than sky it over the bar...

 

[IMABLADE]

I was waiting to see who would be first to come out with a negative. Imablade you have won the prize

Had to be done

 

[bornablade]

Here comes another negative. I've just been on the club website (never an enjoyable experience) and there is hardly any publicity for the U21 match on Saturday. Not sure if the club are wishing to play the game low key so they only have to open up the John Street side.

The FA Youth Cup Final a few years ago in a relegation season was the only bright part that year and the current crop of youngsters deserve a similar support.