Now I'm in, I can give you my thoughts on the game, players etc. It's took me a few hours to be able to feel my fingers again. By 'eck it is cold up at Shirecliffe. Been a few years since fans were allowed to watch due to Covid until recently. I used to stand on the social club where you could overlook the two pitches and kind of see both games but there were stewards who did not allow that and we had to stand on the side. Using the trees for shelter in the wind and rain!
Geary seems to be still running things as the manager/coach of the u18s. There were others there including a Goalkeeping Coach (Bob Widdowson?) who looked about 70 and felt for him scrambling around for missing balls in the bushes of the hill behind the goal.
Think Wednesday started just above us but both teams were quite high up and on good runs. United had not lost for 20 games at u18 level going back to March.
Wednesday had Danny Cadamarteri's son Bailey up front. He has been attracting interest from higher clubs for his goalscoring. He is much taller than his Dad! Nicky Weaver seems to be back down at Academy level coaching for them. Always makes me laugh that people like him and Bullen (now gone) have been there years through losing sides, decline and no production of yout talent comparable to ours. Smacks a bit as jobs for the boys.
United brought in Arblaster who has been playing regularly for the u23s as skipper. He was alongside Sydie Peck, the lad we got from Arsenal in midfield. Will Lankshear, another former Arsenal youth player was back after a long lay off through injury. He was prolific last season when he first joined us. We also had recent signing from Birmingham, Connor Barratt starting at centre back. He is a big unit to say the least.
We started the better side and Peck was always involved looking to control midfield and Theo Williams strong running, pace and trickery a feature. The conditions did not help with the ball swirling around but United tried to keep it down and work openings. Peck had a shot just wide and then we won a number of corners too.
Lankshear had one blocked and we looked the more likely before right back Sachdev advanced and had an effort tipped over. We then came even closer as a snap shot from Lankshear hit the post.
Wednesday had done little but from a corner, the centre half had a header that hit the top of the bar.
United broke out soon after and scored. Williams run started it and found Josh Smith who picked out PECK on the penalty spot and he nodded down and in.
We deserved to lead at half time but Wednesday were kicking down the slope 2nd half although over the years I have always felt United have been better going up the slope. However, Wednesday got level as a free kick wasn't cleared and dropped for them to poke home. Think it was a centre back who scored? This was against the run of most of the game. After this it became niggly and scrappy.
One tackle was wild and nasty from Shipstin where he went through his man and got booked. He was laughing after and generally acting like q bit of a prick.
We put in the Brazilian Fernandinho Maceido up top and Williams went wide right. He got booked straight away actually and later Wednesday were asking for his 2nd yellow but this was nothing like the challenges that Shipston put in.
His second challenge was as bad as his first and got a 2nd yellow. Stupidity with the game finely balanced. Apparently its his third red card of the season. Not surprising as he was idiotic today.
United then pushed and pushed. We tried to be patient and Peck nearly dribbled in but with around 10 to go, the ball dropped after a cross and MACHEDA fired a superb low shot right into the far corner and United made their numerical and possession advantage tell.
After this United kept the ball well and Wednesday started to get frustrated with more Ill discipline. Although on 92 mins the ball went into the United dug out and one of our subs held the ball as we tried to run the clock down. This was a bit daft and infuriated the Wednesday player who went to retrieve and they tussled in the dugout. Several players piled in and coaches got involved too. Amazed he only booked the two players originally involved as there was all sorts going on. It ended in quite an unsavoury manner but the final whistle came soon after.
One United lad finished the fractious contest by shouting loudly a few times, 'Sheffield's red, Sheffield' s f****g red!' Classic shithousing! Geary was giggling. With probably a fair few local lads for both teams, it clearly meant a lot judging by the reaction of both sets of players.
United completely deserved to win. We had more of the ball, played better football and kept our composure more. Wednesday had played on the break and did not get it down as much bit had got level but the moronic play of number 7 who seemed more bothered about being the 'big I am' than helping his team,ultimately cost his team a draw
United did keep passing it snd as Geary kept saying 'Loads of time left. Be patient. Keep the ball.'
In terms of individuals, felt that Peck stood out in midfield. Arblaster was not as good as I had envisaged, albeit it one game and his touch was off. Lankshear is erm lanky but lacks mobility and pace. I felt Williams was the main forward threat although had less of an influence after half time. The Brazilian took his goal well and showed some good feet at times if he overdid it and was a bit late on a few occasions too. The big lad at the back Barratt they signed is a classic kick it/head it centre back but then I thought that of Maguire when I saw him qt 16 do what do I know! The lad alongside him Beau Anderson was probably the better of the two. The two full backs were steady, particularly the diminutive left back Angel.
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In terms of the u16s game, I obviously could not see it as well as it was a fair way from us but United completely dominated. The first goal was a comedy moment as a Wednesday player tried a backpass from almost half way and with the wind behind it and the keeper off his line too much, it flew into the net! Think it was 3-0 at half time and the goals kept coming, even with United going up the hill. Every time I looked across I just saw us swarming all over them and going through them with ease. We won 7-0 and on this one a few of the Wednesday lads seemed to lose their cool and there were a few melees there too.
A really enjoyable hour and half and always great to beat them at any level so 2/2 is great to see. I believe we have the returns quite soon at Middlewood Road.
I will try and get up to Shirecliffe again before the end of the season but hopefully when it is a bit warmer!
not been a bad weekend so far
