Dem Bones

Sheffield United U18 2 v Coventry City U18 1

U18 Professional Development League

Saturday 7 March 2026

Played at Shirecliffe

SUFC 2025/26 Game #57

In the modern vernacular, the Carrier Bag Firm have had a ‘mare.

I am issuing an Unconditional Apology. And it's not one of those - “to those who have been offended” fiascos. Unconditional.

This Blog has always been free, no subscription fee, no advertising. And it will remain that - absolutely free.

You will therefore understand that we are NOT offering any refund, nor compensation for any readers who have been misled by any of my recent Blogs.

Misled into thinking that the youngster who has recently been trialling with the Sheffield United Academy is Taylan Cevirir. It would have been easy for casual readers to be misled in that way. Mainly because my Blog from the U21 Sheffield Derby said;

“The Trialist is Taylan Cevirir…”

The Carrier Bag Firm stand for Transparency and Accountability (and Parody as it happens). We are therefore issuing this Apology and Correction.

The Trialist who has recently made four appearances across Sheffield United U18 and U21 sides is, in fact, … COVARNE LEON.

He's fucking scored this morning after 42 Seconds!!!

I make that Three Goals. But, no doubt that'll need fucking correcting once the CBF StatMan gets across it.

(Apologies to Taylan by the way). We basically got the wrong Basford-anian-ite.

Here's something else I also learned through this whole, sorry episode.

Basford, as in Basford United, of the Step 4, Northern Premier League, Division One Midlands, is pronounced Base-Fud (ish). Rather than Bas (rhymes with gas) Ford.

Congratulations

Incidentally, Covarne has been playing in the Basford United senior team alongside Shirecliffe Academy Graduates Connor Dimaio and Jordan Hallam.

(The CBF believe Covarne is currently 16).

I got a closer look at Covarne today. I feel uncomfortable talking about size and shape of someone so young. But. It's his legs. His legs are sssssoooo long. What do you call the bit between your foot and your knee? That bit. Long. Is there a nomenclature for the component between your knee and your hip? That bit. Long.

As we all know…

The foot bone's connected to the leg bone. The leg bone's connected to the knee bone. The knee bone's connected to the thigh bone.The thigh bone's connected to the hip bone.

So, all told, long legs.

Covarne is well set up to hold and shake opponents off. Predominantly left footed, and playing up top this morning, he was often coming off the (inverted) right wing. Neat close control. Can't get it off him. Striker Greedy. Lively and involved throughout. Indeed, the downside was that he missed a few chances and really should have scored more.

Ben Grainger in goal. The assumption is Luke Faxon (2nd) and Tommy Betts (3rd) will be on First Team duties for the foreseeable. A back three. Marley Parr-Pearson, Theo Howard and Tom Dearden. Eddie Roberts wide right. Tyrone Bishawu left. Cole Hay anchoring midfield I felt. Bailey Miller and Lamine Sidibe popping up left and right of him. Trialist Covarne up top. And Riley McLachlan filling in from the left.

Carrier Bag Firm opinion on Riley was unanimous on one point.

“What the fuck is going on with those shorts bruv?”

Sort of pulled up, and tucked in (to his y-fronts!!!) on his thighs. Yes. John Brayford was mentioned!!!

However, CBF opinion was divided on other aspects of Riley's performance. The Grassy Knoll-ers were impressed with his work rate, speed (in and out of possession), and the amount of grass he covered.

The CBF Portaloo Enders felt Riley had a tendency to hold onto the round thing too long, to try to do too much, to “walk it in”, and therefore to surrender possession.

Me? I thought he had a great game. He bagged the winner. Albeit with a confident penalty to the Keeper's right on 66. After Shakeel Charles (on for Sidibe) had been clattered by the Cov Keeper.

Riley did have a number of chances, and like Covarne, he'll be disappointed not to have scored more.

As well as bringing Shakeel on, Theo Buckle replaced Eddie Roberts. Charlie Bulmer replaced Trialist Covarne on 76. As I said, Covarne had capitalised on a long ball and keeper error to open on just 42 Seconds.

City had equalised from a penalty on 29. Following a very clumsy challenge by Howard.

Emmett Morrison replaced Marley Hyphenated on 83, as the Young Blades tried (successfully) to get the three points back down the path to the Shirecliffe Buildings.

Would you please consider subscribing (free) to have my Blog delivered to your email inbox (via Substack). Thank you.

You can find me on Social Media

X @ball_sup

Untappd ball_sup

Stats

I have now Blogged from 1,763 games in 4,218 days