MOTM - Howzee Onliateteen

Sheffield United U18 1 v Coventry City U18 2

U18 Professional Development League

Tuesday 11 April 2023

SUFC 2022/23 Game #60

A No Beer Day

A disappointing afts for the Young Blades. As I write, we remain in second place in the North Group. That is, in a play off spot for the National Title. (Remember, there is no promotion from this (effectively) U18 Division 3.). Seven points ahead of chasers Peterborough United. Both with five games to play. We're a long eleven points behind runaway U18s Barnsley. Although they've only got three left to play.

Our attacking threat was snuffed out by a great performance from the Afro sporting, mutton chop black beard wearing, Coventry giant number 5 - Howzee Onliateteen.

He was, thankfully, subbed at half time. Possibly at the request of the ref, so he could go and fetch his Birth Certificate.

Back to a flexible 4-4-2 for the U One Eights this week. Callum Yam in goal. Back four of Jack Waldron, Dovydas Sasnauskas, Levis Pitan, Mekhi Haughton-Parris. Middle rank of Sam Aston, Brandon Ly, Jackson Blaize, Stafford Clarke. Eighteen goal Kurtis Havenhand up top, with T for Trialist.

Not. Giggsy's. Lad.

I can understand why Trialist stole a few headlines. He won a penalty on 49. A clumsy kick out at him as he moved into the box with the ball. There was "a bit of a thing" involving "I'll have it" Kurt and Sam Aston who seemed to be arguing the case for Trialist. Very unusually, Trialist given the responsibility for the penalty. He rifled it home for what was the equaliser.

Trialist won another penalty on 61. I was a bit surprised to see that one given. This time, the Court Of Kurt won the verdict. But, he fucking missed it. The keeper pulling off a good save to his right. So, you can't knock Trialists headline contribution. But, you couldn't really say he was stand out. Enthusiastic and willing. Yes. Chasing a lot. Yes. But, he didn't have the ball much outside those incidents.

Havenhand had a quiet game by his own standards. It seemed quite physical out there. Lead by the Coventry Five Brute. Kurtis can handle that and give as good as he gets. But, he was snuffed out a bit. He really should have scored on 22. A pin point crossfield ball from Brandon Ly hit Mekhi H-P. Kurt got on the end of the excellent first time cross. But Cov Keep gathered it.

That came in a great spell for United. Mekhi and Stafford Clarke combining well down the left. Recycling and building attacks.

I'd been making some notes about number 4, Dovydas Sasnauskas. I understand he turned 16 in January. He was in Chelsea's Academy structure. And he's got age group caps for Lithuania. I make that four starts since he switched to the Young Blades.

He's an easy player to like. Centre back. Looks the part physically. The main thing I noticed was he is always looking to get very tight on his man. Not afraid to step up if his man goes deep, and also to step in and win the ball. He got some early good defensive headers in and looked comfortable on the ball. One of those pointers and organisers of the rest of the defence and holding mids. But, calmly, not in the vein throbbing, ear steaming, bullying way.

That all climbed in the handcart on 31. When the Coventry kid easily turned across Dovydas in the inside right channel and neatly finished in the far corner. Sasnauskas also got bypassed in the first minute of the second half, but the shot was just wide.

Coventry went ahead on 74. Very much against the run of play. It all ended on 87. Kurtis had a great chance to score. He swung at it only six yards out, misconnected a bit, bounced it high, and the keeper tipped it over. It was one of them afts.

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