Sheffield United starlet continues first-team push as young Blades lift Bramall Lane gloom with final spot
Sheffield United’s youngsters lift some of Bramall Lane gloom as they book place in showpiece final
Coach Michael Collins hailed the “attitude, desire and bravery” of his Sheffield United U21s as they booked their place in the Professional Development League national final for the second year in a row last night. The young Blades, who won their league once more to secure a play-off spot, beat Swansea City 4-2 at Bramall Lane.
Collins’ side will play Birmingham City for the national title, the Blues finishing second behind the Blades in the north group and eight points behind. Their league record over the season was one win apiece, the Blades avenging a 3-1 away defeat earlier in the season with a 2-0 triumph back in March. The two sides met in the final three years ago, when the Midlands side came out on top.
Goals from Louie Marsh, Jay Tinsdale, Sam Aston and Zain Tahir - the latter pair both from the U18s - sealed United’s place in the showpiece final on Friday, which will be held at Bramall Lane. “It was a superb performance and they should be delighted,” said Collins. “Attitude, desire, bravery; they gave the lot tonight, with and without the ball. Swansea are a difficult side to contain and I thought the lads were controlled in all phases.
“We’ve lost one or two to injury and a fair few were last-minute calls, but they pushed hard to make themselves available. It’s one down and one to go. They’ve earned the right all season to keep challenging themselves. Birmingham are a very good side, but we will give it our all as we always do."
Marsh, the highly-rated Sheffield-born forward, got the ball rolling with a nice curling finish before Tinsdale followed suit with some neat footwork and a strike into the bottom corner for 2-0. The Swans pulled one back through Glory Nzingo’s long-range effort but United restored their two-goal advantage just after the break, Marsh beating his man before sliding in Aston to finish in front of the Kop.
United then put the result beyond doubt when Billy Blacker’s run from deep saw him slip in Tahir to finish into the far corner, before Swansea pulled one back through Tom Woodward. But it was United’s evening, with one more hurdle between them and the national championship. The final will be held at Bramall Lane on Friday night (May 24) with a 7pm kick-off. Tickets are £3 for adults and £1 for concessions, with United season-ticket holders admitted free of charge.
United: Faxon, Pitan, Tahir, Hampson, Sasnauskas, Easton, Sachdev, Blacker, Aston, Marsh (Francis 90), Tinsdale. Subs not used: Waldron, Okyere, Trialist, Giggs.