Oné, Cáceres and Brôókß
plus an audit of games on this York pitch
Hull City U21 0 v Sheffield United U21 3
Professional Development League
Tuesday 25 February 2025
Played at York City
SUFC 2024/25 Game #51
Let's deal with the nonsense first. This season, Sheffield United U21s have played six home games at York City. Currently, we have three more games scheduled there before the end of the season. We have also played two U18 home games at York. Call it eleven Academy home games at York across the season.
Yet. Here the Carrier Bag Firm are today. On a Tuesday afts. Watching The Young Blades at York. Again. But, this time, in a fucking AWAY game. Because Hull City have also played five U21 home games at York. Today was their sixth. And they've got another one scheduled.
Yes. That's right. Both United and Hull regularly use York City for Academy Home games.
“Isn't that unusual Phil? A ground like York being used by TWO other clubs Under 21 sides?”
“Woah. Woah there. Did you not get the Memo? This ground at York is primarily the home of Leeds United Academy. They've played NINE games here this season already. More than United. More than the Tiger Cubs. It's being used by THREE Under 21 sides!!!”
Sheffield United's First Team 2024/25 pre season started away at York City on 13 July 2024. I make it Forty Fucking Four Football Fixtures on the pitch so far this season, including today. With twelve more scheduled.
“Fuck Sake Phil. That's some hammer. Thank Fuck no one else is using it. Smiley Face Emoji.”
“The Rugby mate, don't forget the Rugby.”
“York Knights Rugby League have already played two games on it in February. Their season is just getting underway!!!”
On Saturday, York City drew with Halifax. On Sunday, York Knights lost to Toulouse Olympique. On Monday, Leeds U21 beat Norwich. And here we are for the fourth game in four days.
The pitch was patchy in places.
What a great game. A big physical battle all over the much used park. And when you've got Norrington-Davies, Zain Tahir, Baptiste and Ryan Oné out there, you're going to hold your own in the physicals. I don't think I've ever seen as much shirt holding in a game before. Holding in the sense of - ooohhh you fucker, you're not getting the better of me. Not shirt pulling, not pulling, in the sense of - come back here you little twat. Holding.
Obvs. The ref shouldn't have let as much of that holding go as he did. But, he did. Deal with it. Or watch some forensic football fuckery on TV.
I had to check last night's first team sheet against Leeds. You sort of become accustomed to Norrington-Davies, Shackleton, Brooks and Oné being on the first team bench. I was a little head in the sand surprised to find none of them had been at The Lane last night.
I suppose that's just everything settling down after the Window. And the new first team getting bedded in.
Coby Hewitson in goal. (Shirecliffe Academy Graduate Callum Yam in goal for City). Evan Easton, he of Centre Back, converted to Centre Midfield fame, playing as a right back in a conventional four.
Baptiste, Tahir and Norrington-Davies completing the four. Billy Blacker and Shackleton anchoring midfield. Andre Brooks inverted wide right. Oné up top. With Jefferson Cáceres with him, but more of a roving role. Jay Tinsdale completing the set, midfield left.
United were deserved winners. Brooks having a stormer in the first half. Ball glued to his foot. Wriggling and a-jiggling this way and that.
On 13, Oné fed Brooks on the right, dropping the ball right in his stride. If anything, Brooks was too greedy, although he did get a shot off. Immediately, Brooks created a difficult chance for RND, coming in at the far post.
On 23, Brooks hit the post having worked inside from the right wing. Jefferson Cáceres got involved, and Brooks eventually got the shot off from the inside left channel.
On 40, Shackleton made a great break through the middle, he jinked inside and fed Brooks perfectly. Andre's left foot shot hit the keeper.
Nil Nil at half time. Jamie Shackleton stayed out there and did extensive warm down, rehab work with a fizz. Sam Colechin replaced him, fitting in at right back, with utility man Easton pushing into midfield.
The second half was the Oné Show. Man possessed he was. During the first half, he'd been willing to come deep, towards the United ball carrier. Show for it. Getting involved in the hold it up, hold him off, hold his shirt, wrestling. As the game developed, he showed more of the - turn with it, or make the run, either way, get it in your stride, facing goal, head down, run with it, see if you can fucking knock me off the ball, hint - you can't.
On 51, Colechin made a good break down the right, whipped a good ball in, Ryan met it first time, drawing a good save from Yam.
In the second half, Ryan was a bit more deliberate and composed with his shooting. Which paid off in the next move. An absolute blinder for One Nil. Ryan got the ball over on the left. He held it deliberately between his feet, looking for it to settle and to get his range. No one closed him and he drill squeezed a low shot just inside the post.
Although I saw Jefferson Cáceres line up at Shirecliffe last week. Circumstances meant I couldn't concentrate, nor report on his performance.
Today, he set up in a more central and attacking role. He certainly didn't look out of place out there. Maybe not as consistently involved as you'd hope. But, he was tidy and competent. Without being particularly influential. He was a bit keen to go down under pressure. I think once he saw how it was being (correctly) reffed, he realised he wasn't going to get too much joy doing that.
Jefferson seemed very two footed to me. His attacking work rate was good. Very willing to come towards the ball, and get it under pressure. Maybe a bit lacking in the pressing and tracking. But, he was playing up top. Clearly not ready for the first team yet. But surely no one expected he would be.
He had a back heel flicky flacky thing cleared off the line on 8. Great work on the right by Blacker of the Billy to stand it up for Cáceres in the six yard.
On 32 Ryan won a free kick 25 yards out, following the wrestling. Jefferson stood over the deceased ball, fancying his chances. But his right footed effort hit a defender in the wall.
And, Jefferson got his goal on 74. Great work wide right by Colechin. Worked it inside to Andre Brooks. He played a great simple accurate ball to Jefferson. And he finished nicely with only the keeper to beat.
Jefferson was pulled for Marshall Francis on 83.
Sasnauskas had also come on for Norrington-Davies, Tahir shuffling to left back.
On 79, Jevan Beattie came on for Brooks. Meaning we were treated to Oné and Beattie on the pitch at the same time. Fucking love to see that at The Lane in two years. China Shop owners be fucking nervous I tell you.
On 81, Billy B drove out of midfield, with the ball under control. As Ryan and Jevan peeled a-this way and a-that, I made my position perfectly clear.
“Fucking slip someone in, slip someone in, for fuck sake…”
Billy didn't even give me a glance, as he looked the other way, and it opened up in front of him. His only slightly deflected right footed easily beating Callum in the Hull goal. Three Nil. Done.
As we've got deeper into that big list of games at York, I've been more inclined to accept lifts from various Carrier Bag Firm luminaries. Thanks guys. Please keep offering them. But, not gonna lie, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to get the train into the centre of York. And get some Ball Supping done.
Brew York Craft Brewery & Taproom
Unit 6, Enterprise Complex, Walmgate, York YO1 9TT
What a place. The smaller Taproom is not open, nor feasible, for afternoon kick offs. So, Up The Stairs Mister, to the cavernous Beer Hall.
Nearly as many beers on as games at The York Community Stadium. The point I am making is - a fucking lot.
Twenty Two Brew York on Keg. Two of theirs on Cask. Eight guest Kegs. Stu. Pendous.
Brew York, Hop Sessions 014, Hazy IPA on Keg at 4.2%
Look harder. The beer is in the photie. Part of an experimental series of small batch brews. Pacific Sunrise, Cascade & Strata Hops.
Nice and gentle that one. Hint of thin and watery. But, it perked up. Some very dilute orange juice. Some funk & dank in the mix. Particularly as you get late into the game.
An open letter to Sheffield United Academy Ops - more games at York please…
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