U18 Professional Development League 2
Team: Osborne, Tang, Moore, Mitchell-Adadom, Sandiford, Ikoroha, McAvoy, Whitehead, Oluwabusola, Trujillo, Oade
Subs: Kirk, Edouard-Marisson, Majesty, Wadman, Michaud
By the time I had arrived at the TSG Training Centre, the U15’s game against Chelsea had already kicked-off.
Elsewhere, the Women’s squad were involved in a training session.
The first opportunity of the morning fell to the hosts. James McAvoy’s dangerous cross towards Gabriel Oluwabusola resulted in the keeper diving to make a save.
Then, after the ball had been played to Ashley Trujillo, the R’s No.10’s attempt was stopped by Oliver Rahnavard.
However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring against the run of play. After Cole Hay’s corner had been knocked back by an R’s defender, Charlie Bulmer was well-placed to nod the ball home.
The Blades doubled their lead three minutes later from the penalty spot after Bailey Miller had been brought down. Charlie Bulmer then stepped up and planted the ball in the corner.
Covarne Leon made it three from close range after Adrianno Morrison’s initial attempt had been saved.
For the R’s, James McAvoy knocked the ball on to an overlapping Jerrell Tang, and the move ended with a corner.
The players headed over towards the dugouts after 27 minutes for a drinks break.
A good run by Giovanni Ikoroha then saw him knock the ball through to Gabriel Oluwabusola and the keeper coming out to smother it.
Rangers pulled a goal back on 35 minutes when James McAvoy curled the ball into the far corner.
The hosts almost got a second five minutes or so later, after Ashley Trujillo had picked out Gabriel Oluwabusola, who proceeded to sweep the ball just wide.
That deserved second goal did arrive in stoppage time when James McAvoy’s low strike from a widish position, found the far corner.
Mr Griffiths blew the half-time whistle after four added minutes. Word came through that the U15’s had gone off 3-2 up at the interval.
Into the second-half, and it was Emanuel Oade who broke-away into the box, before firing a shot which was tipped behind for a corner.
Around the hour-mark, Tom Charles introduced Kemuel Edouard-Marisson. Ruben Michaud and Kevin Wadman, at the expense of James McAvoy, Emanuel Oade and Izik Mitchell-Adadom respectively.
Rangers should have been awarded a penalty after Gabriel Oluwabusola was blatantly knocked over in the box! Mr Griffiths had pointed to the spot for a similar challenge in the first-half!
Following a close-range scramble, Charlie Bulmer completed his hat-trick.
Four became five following a breakaway when Emmett Morrison’s shot went under the keeper.
Six minutes later, the same player took advantage when he nipped in to slot the ball home after Cian Osborne had lost possession.
The Blades seventh goal was scored by Charlie Bulmer with a strike from the edge of the box.
There was just enough time for Gabriel Oluwabusola to reduce the deficit with a shot thar went through the keeper.
The final score in the U15’s game was a 3-6 win for the visitors.
Steve Russell