We won 6-1. Pigott scored four (including one pen). He has been on fire lately. Our other goals from Azeez and Smith (who was a sub). Harriott started and played most of the match, so I forgive the management for playing him on Saturday. Of course he is one of our best u21s, but more important is he gives the team natural shape. 'Udders' goal came from a miskick by Pope. We played no over-age players although we were allowed to play 3 plus a 'keeper, so that makes it all the more satisfying and more than makes up for the u18s failure to make their final. Even more remarkable is that 8 of the starting XI only moved up from the u18s this season and could play two more years at this level. Plus Poyet who is still an u18. Only Pope and Smith (who was a sub) will be over-21 at the start of next season. I think Feely has at least one more season left as a u21, though I am not sure.
I thought it was Ajayi not Azeez who scored for us although the OS does say it was Azeez. Pigott was obviously MOM, for his 4 goals, he is improving at an alarming rate and I don't think you could expect any more from a 19-year-old striker. His first goal was a beauty, he showed excellent close control to get into the box before curling one in at the far post. We even scored Udders goal for them- Pope was under pressure from a back-pass and his hurried clearance was charged down, the ball broke to Feely who gave the goalie no chance with a delicate chip. A pity because Feely had a great game otherwise, he and Semi won everything in the air. Poyet was playing RM, unusually for him, and had a growing influence as the game went on.
It seems I was also wrong about their goal. According to the OS it was their striker who chipped Pope. Time for a trip to Specsavers. One thing I did see was Michael Slater watching the match.
There's another aspect we haven't mentioned. Most of the big clubs are playing lots of overseas players in their u21 teams. Maybe not so much in our league, but clearly our team is very competitive with the biggest clubs as shown by our very narrow defeats to Man Utd and Chelsea, two of the strongest. The fact that all our players are British* is not only a compliment to our scouts who have only a British pool and not a worldwide pool to fish in, but means that they are actually more valuable in cash terms because of the regulations coming into force about playing a certain percentage of home-grown players. I reckon Solly is worth a million quid more for being English, rather than Spanish or Serbian. And UK players are less likely to be tempted overseas. *Not sure where R.O.I players like Feely stand in the new regulations.
Cardiff win this evening 3-2 against The Foxes... so its a Welsh venue for the final and possibly this Saturday coming
That suggests we might have been playing in the stronger part of the league too. We won our league and thrashed the runner-ups in the Northern half. Now the runner-up in our league have beaten the winners of the Northern half. We beat Cardiff 4-0 at home in Feb and lost 0-2 away at the start of the season. So a difficult job away from home but nothing too frightening. May come down to what over-age players they play and what contribution they make, but I hope we stick with the same team, fitness permitting, with no over-age players.
Hopefully and I Think Nathan will stick with team that played yesterday, definitely best set up plus some of the U18's and also as season has ended there are no overage players around, I think they've all gone on their hols
Still 1-1 after 35 minutes. Can't find the team listed anywhere but the only one I haven't heard mentioned so far is Feely so I assume unchanged. Smith scored within 30 seconds. Yes, Feely is playing so unchanged team.
Sounded like another mistake from Pope, coming out for a cross then changing his mind. Disappointing, I've been saying for 2 years what a great prospect he is, but he's still young for a goalie.
Well into extra time and still 1-1. Charlton having more attacks but Cardiff dangerous on breakaways. Azeez on for Harriott who was booked.
2-1 Pigott in last five minutes with a goal created by himself. 3-1 Azeez with a breakaway. Two minutes to go. Players on both sides running on empty. Finished 3-1
Another trophy for the youngsters, and these ones are all on pro contracts, so if anyone wants them they'll have to cough up.
I had to smile when I read Steve Avory's comment on the eleven new scholars we have just signed (to play at u-18 level): “This particular age group have been a strong group in terms of performances and results throughout the academy years". What are our current u-19s and u-18s? Chopped liver? If his comment is close to the truth it looks like the production line will continue. We might see something of Pigott in the first team next season at this rate.
I wonder if we'll see Poyet introduced to the first-team squad at some point in the second half of the season.
