The Young Azzurri made a return to competitive football after a winter break with a new face in the dugout & a few new faces on the park. The visitors were top of the table Harrogate Town U23s,
The first part of the game was largely even Stevens (any relation to Shakin’) – main talking point was a tremendous one handed save by Big Lewis in goal. But then we got something of a rarity – a handling mistake by Lewis – which allowed the visiting attack to square the ball in the box for a fairly straight forward finish to make it 1 nil.
10 minutes later & debutant Mahine Malik made a great break into the box & fed Sherbs but Strictly dragged his shot wide.
10 minutes later & on the stroke of half time, the roles were reversed & this time Sherbs made the break & set up Malik to power home from close range.
Out for the 2nd half & the Young Blues comfortably matched the visitors but lost concentration briefly around the hour mark & Harrogate scored 2 crackers to make it 3-1 & although our boys gave it everything Harrogate were able to see out the game without too much discomfort.
So not the result that new manager Casey O’Reilly would have wanted but he couldn’t fault the lads for the effort that they put in. They matched their opponents for 60 minutes – opponents who had previously won all 8 games played & had scored 31 goals in 4 away games and only conceded 2.
Standout players – the redoubtable Hancock & Sutton in defence, Sherbs & Malik looked a good combo up top & debutant Joshua McLaughlin caught the eye. Joshua is small of stature but he’s got some great feet on him. Jonathan Holmes looked a tidy player when he came on as sub too. Plenty for Casey to work with.
The managers thoughts on the game
Next up the U21s are away to Glasshoughton 21s on Wednesday 5th February. This match will see the welcome return of Jed Wilkinson after suspension – a 3 match suspension that started in November which just goes to show the length of lay off the boys have had
