Youth Reports

Antwerp celebrate 125 years with United game

Antwerp (United feeder club) will play United early August 2005 as part of their celebrations - 125 years since club founded. Hopefully they will be celebrating promotion back to the Belgian first division, with maybe a few United youngsters having progressed in the team.
 
Pontins game on Monday

Man United 3 Town 0

Town: Joe Hart, Henry Goh, James Donovan, Liam Murray, Ross Stephens, Martin Reeves (Rob
Egginton 75), Kevin Street, Carl Clampitt, Duane Darby, Ciaran Lyng, Darren Jacks (Gary Price 45)

Subs: Ian Harvard, Steven Leslie, Carl Harris.

United: Tom Heaton, Phil Picken Adam Eckersley, Lee Lawrence, Mark Howard, David Fox, Markus Neumayr, Steven Hogg, Ramon Calliste, Mads Timm, Ben Collett.

Subs: David Poole, Giuseppe Rossi, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Floribert Ngalula.

Goals: Ramon Calliste, Guiseppe Rossi (pen), David Fox.

Hugh Evans went to last nights game and brings you his views on the game

Town gave a spirited performance against United's third string but ended up suffering a 3-0 defeat. Ex Town loanees Lee Lawrence and David Fox started for United.

Town started with a 4-4-2 line up with Darby up front and Street on the right wing. Trialists Martin Reeves and James Donovan lined up in midfield and defence, respectively. Carl Clampitt was also playing in midfield.

United took the lead on 18 minutes when Ramon Calliste tapped-in a loose ball after Joe Hart had dived to foil a United attack.

Town threatened with a Street volley and Darby also had a chance that went narrowly wide.

Ross Stephens was having a torrid time on the left hand side of the Town defence and was exposed on a number of occasions by Calliste's pace.

The first half ended with Shrewsbury's defence under pressure from inventive United forward play. However, Town kept their shape and were able to prevent United adding to their tally.

Half Time 1-0

Town changed formation at the start of the second half, with Ross Stephens moved up front to partner Duane Darby and Gary Price coming on for Darren Jacks to play in central defence.

Martin Reeves was replaced by after 70 mins by Rob Egginton. He played centre midfield and put in an energetic performance. Good close control and showed a good burst of pace when required.

United went 2-0 up after 72 mins when the ref awarded a penalty following a clumsy tackle. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake sent Joe Hart the wrong way and tucked the ball inside the left hand post.

Ciaran Lyng then showed his shooting ability with a powerful 25-yrd free kick from the left hand side that was heading for the top corner, before being acrobatically tipped over by Heaton. From the resultant corner, Lyng produced a dipping volley that the keeper did well to save.

Most of Town's best moves came from good link up play between Darby and Street down the right hand side. Darby clipped the bar with one headed effort but was adjudged to have fouled the United defender.

United extended their lead on 80 mins through David Fox, who finished off a slick passing movement with an 18yrd shot inside Joe Hart's left hand post.

Town travelled to Hyde to take on Man United and were on the end of a 3-0 defeat but Manager Gary Peters wasn't too down beat after the game: "It ended up 3-0 last night and I think we probably deserved a little more out of the game.

"Manchester United were brilliant, a great team of young lads who knock the ball about and I love the way they played.

"It was a bit like a none competitive game because it was just football for football's sake, as opposed to games in the League where it's about results and not worrying about how you get there.

"We played some great football ourselves and they game allowed us to do that because it wasn't a physical battle.

"It was an enjoyable game to be involved in even though we lost, you wouldn't hear me say that in a League game when it counts.

"Joe Hart had a super game, he was very special and just edged Carl Clampitt for my man of the match, the two of them were bright lights in the game.

"We had a few trialists in and that leaves you a bit unorganised as they only turn up for the game, but we had a look at them and was a worthwhile exercise."

With the addition of trialists Martin Reeves from Northampton and James Donovan from Millwall the game gave Peters the opportunity to look at a few more players. Since taking over at Town Peters has been looking at his options n the playing side and will continue to look at players: "I've got to see as many players as I can close up to see how they can do.

"There are a lot of players looking for contracts for next year and we have got to be aware of everyone who is around.

"It's a thing we'll be doing for the rest of the season and looking at players who may add something to the squad."
 
Antwerp

Mamam scored and played the whole game.
Dong and Gomez came on after 71 and 65 mins.
They played S.K. Deinze and won 4-2.
Mamam scored the first.
 
oskarutd said:
Mamam scored and played the whole game.
Dong and Gomez came on after 71 and 65 mins.QUOTE]

Hmm. Not looking good. Antwerp level top with Waregem in Belgian second division. Waregem have a couple of strikers who have scored about 25 goals between them. Whereas Gomez and Dong (strikers) have scored six or seven. Admittedly they are often on the bench but that's because they are not doing enough to make the team. Something needs to happen in the second half of the season. And what about sending some of the promising 18, 19 year-olds over to Belgium? Jones, McShane, Eagles etc.?
 
mista john said:
oskarutd said:
Mamam scored and played the whole game.
Dong and Gomez came on after 71 and 65 mins.QUOTE]

Hmm. Not looking good. Antwerp level top with Waregem in Belgian second division. Waregem have a couple of strikers who have scored about 25 goals between them. Whereas Gomez and Dong (strikers) have scored six or seven. Admittedly they are often on the bench but that's because they are not doing enough to make the team. Something needs to happen in the second half of the season. And what about sending some of the promising 18, 19 year-olds over to Belgium? Jones, McShane, Eagles etc.?

Are you sure that Antwerp has asked United?
McShane is on loan in Walsall.
Jones and Eagles are to close to the first team.
 
oskarutd said:
Are you sure that Antwerp has asked United?
McShane is on loan in Walsall.
Jones and Eagles are to close to the first team.

I am not saying that Antwerp has asked for anyone. I am simply saying that United should send one or two young players over to Antwerp. United must have about 40 players over the age of 18 ...........
 
mista john said:
I am not saying that Antwerp has asked for anyone. I am simply saying that United should send one or two young players over to Antwerp. United must have about 40 players over the age of 18 ...........
United shouldn´t do anything like that!
If they sent players that are not wanted then they will not get used and that is not good for anyone.
Antwerp has to ask first and they seem to bet on Feyernord this year.
 
oskarutd said:
United shouldn´t do anything like that!
If they sent players that are not wanted then they will not get used and that is not good for anyone.
Antwerp has to ask first and they seem to bet on Feyernord this year.

My feeling is that Antwerp would be keen to get players. Johnson and Bardsley were very effective and very popular last season. It seems to be United (or players themselves) are reluctant. United usually quote too many injuries as the reason.

Certainly Antwerp brought in three or four Ghanaian players (inc 2 teenagers) from Feyenoord at the beginniing of the season and they are doing well.
 
Penny said:
3 or 4 Ghanians? Are those loan-deals or is it a purchase? If it's loan-deal then it has obviously not much benefit to Man Utd :) ... they will just take up some time from Maman and company instead :)

They are on loan. Despite Antwerp's love for all things Mancunian, I believe the club is thinking about itself in this respect. Jim Ryan watches Antwerp about every 6 weeks so he knows the form.
 
From their official site:

THE SADDLERS will be without loan signing, Paul McShane for the weekend visit of Chesterfield after the 18-year-old was forced to return to Manchester United to receive treatment on a hip injury. "Paul has gone back to have treatment but we are still hopeful of him returning for his last game in a couple of weeks time," said player-manager Paul Merson. "It is an injury that the lad has carried for a while and the sheer volume of games that we played over the festive period meant that it has flared up again.

"His attitude since he has been here has been a joy to watch and unfortunately he has paid for his commitment with this injury."
 
Reserve side named
Tonight's Reserve side to face Aston Villa at Walsall's Bescot Stadium: Heaton, Picken, Eckersley, Lawrence, N'Galula, Fox, Eagles, D Jones, Ebanks-Blake, Rossi, Richardson. Substitutes: Poole, Crockett, Cooper, Collett, Hogg.
Source: Manutd.com News
 
When did Kenny Cooper return from his loan spell in Portugal? Hadn't heard anything about him returning before looking at the above post.
 
mista, do Antwerp need midfielders atm? If the chances of Jones and Eagles playing regularly are good, Utd should send them over. Any way they’re unlikely to see more senior team action here for the rest of the season. Exposure in the more competitive 2nd div should benefit them more than playing in the reserves.

Macari recently commented that it’s now tougher for our kids to step up to the first team due to a shortage of senior pros playing in the reserves. I know the likes of City, Villa field their kids in their reserve teams, do most clubs do the same?
 
Keilyn27 said:
mista, do Antwerp need midfielders atm? If the chances of Jones and Eagles playing regularly are good, Utd should send them over. Any way they’re unlikely to see more senior team action here for the rest of the season. Exposure in the more competitive 2nd div should benefit them more than playing in the reserves. QUOTE]

Antwerp are a very average side, with no outstanding players. If, say, Jones and Eagles came to Antwerp they would be welcomed with open arms by the management and by the fans. Players like Higginbotham (99-2000) and to a lesser extent Johnson (last season) were cult heroes.

It would be excellent for them to have to fight their way into the team and keep their place. Antwerp is crying out for an all-round midfield player who can control the game. Also someone with speed and skill on the wing. If United's youngsters are really going to make it in the big-time, they can start proving it by playing in a different country, different culture and in a competitive climate. If they are too good for the Belgian second division, they can be loaned out to Walsall or Darlington. Their choice. Players like Higginbotham, Chadwick and O'Shea came on a ton during their spells at Antwerp. Higginbotham in particular really matured over here.

Having said all that - and on a unrelated topic - I have always thought that the best player United have ever sent over was Kirk Hilton. An excellent left back, he seems to have drifted out of the game following injuries.
 
Penny said:
Haven't heard of Mads Timm and Ngalulal for a while now .. any news on these 2 chaps?


Timm has played in the last couple of games for the Pontins reserve team. Did ok in last one, was absolutely toilet in the one before that. Think he has gone seriously backwards after getting his new contract last season.

N'Galula played his first match against Villa reserves since injuring his medial knee ligaments versus Newcastle reserves a month or two back. Flo was deployed as an emergency centre back in the Villa game and did ok.
 
Last Monday (10th Jan) Manchester Utd decided which of this years U16's would be getting a 2 year scholarship and joining next years U18 squad. The following were selected:

James Chester
Richard Eckersley
Sam Hewson
Febian Brandy
Nardiello

The rest have been released to find other clubs. My son, Chris Backhouse, the U16 goalkeeper has been released because of the signing of a German Keeper.

Chris has had a lot of interest from clubs, the most promising from Everton who he played for on Saturday against Man City in a 0-0 draw.
 
Sorry to hear about yer son, Stevie! He played for us in the Milk Cup last summer and all, didn't he? Well, let's hope he'll get an offer from Leeds, aye...

What can you tell us about the ones who got their scholarships? Some familiar names there.
 
Stevie b said:
Last Monday (10th Jan) Manchester Utd decided which of this years U16's would be getting a 2 year scholarship and joining next years U18 squad. The following were selected:

James Chester
Richard Eckersley
Sam Hewson
Febian Brandy
Nardiello

The rest have been released to find other clubs. My son, Chris Backhouse, the U16 goalkeeper has been released because of the signing of a German Keeper.

Chris has had a lot of interest from clubs, the most promising from Everton who he played for on Saturday against Man City in a 0-0 draw.

no daniel rose? or is he one year older?
 
Rose is older.
Sad to hear about your son stevie b.
I thought it might happen because he wasn´t in the fa-youth squad.
I hope this will be only a sprinboard for a bright future and happiness.
Does this mean you will be leaving us? :-(
 
Heard of these players?

Shane Crak & Jimmy Hill. They should be about 19.

July 24th, 2000;
Calcio "Roma" plays Czech Republic team, FC Ostrava of Prague. Match Result: Roma 4 - 0 over FC Ostrava. Goals by Luca Rassenti, Quincy Nichols, Neema Doroudian and Justin Mack. After the game, the team attended the Tournament Disco held every night at the main headquarters. There has been some distraction for the Roma boys, as a U-16 girls team from upstate New York is staying here in the University Dorm. Across the way are the U-16 girls from Italy. It has been tough to keep the boys focused on soccer, but after all it is a holiday as well.

Below, is the Torquay United Professional U-14 team (Blue & Yellow) vrs. a local junior team S.B Frankfort. S.B. Frankfort won the match 2-0. I found out later why.



Pictured below is a young lad named Shane Crak. A smallish center mid, that will work you to the bone and one with a rock of a right foot. He along with another player from this S.B. Frankfort team were signed to 4 year professional apprenticeship contracts just after the match, by Mick Hanley, Youth Development Officer for Manchester United!!!!



Here below, S.B Frankfort consults at half time. #8 Shane Crak & #15 Jimmy Hill were both signed on the field after this game. Very Cool.



(Below) The man on the left in blue, is Mr. Mick Hanely. I was lucky enough to chat with him during the game about Man.U.'s development program, finding players and the state of American soccer. It was clear to me who were the best players this day, and it must have been clear to Mick Hanley, because he shortly signed these boys to play for Man Utd. Mr. Hanley said to me that he had scouted them for about 2 years and liked the progression he saw in their development. I asked about a players size, and he said that unlike America, size is not the over riding factor for choosing a player. Skill, desire, intensity, and above all a "Brain" for football were the attributes he was looking for. Players are available to sign contracts at the end of their U-14 year. Not all do, but one's with promise like these two are made quality offers and brought into the youth development program.











As you can see, neither player is exceptionally big, in fact small by some U-15 (they will be U-15 this coming season) players by U.S. standards. However, they are quick, tough, and above all smart. I strikes me that the biggest difference in the games I've seen thus far, is the communication between players, the constant work rate and the sheer knowledge of the game.



Here above and below is Swindon Town's own version of "Ruud Huillet", ...Asham Holgate the "Dread-locked destroyer". He has led Swindon's U-13 Boys in scoring this tournament and is their Target Man up top.



After their first game, the Calcio boys returned to find a U-16 girls team from up state New York, Cambridge United, staying at the same dorm!! What a coincidence!? Here Keethan Kitt and Spencer Cunningham discuss soccer and



Post game team meeting, the CEO,... 'err, our Director of Coaching, Nick Vitale holds court with the team. I must say, that the University of Exeter has been perfect and has everything we require. Even age matched girls teams for our boys!



Who is this bald guy? Mrs. Hill, if you were only here to see it.


BACK to start "England Trip 2000"
Calcio F.C.-© ' 03 - AZzaDesign
Source:
 
oskarutd said:
Rose is older.
Sad to hear about your son stevie b.
I thought it might happen because he wasn´t in the fa-youth squad.
I hope this will be only a sprinboard for a bright future and happiness.
Does this mean you will be leaving us? :-(

He would have been in the fa-youth cup squad but he had an ankle injury. At least he is not cup tied if he is picked by a team still in the cup
 
WANDERERS RES 1, MANCHESTER UNITED RES 2: FLORENT Laville was on target for the second time in a week as Wanderers Reserves fell to a narrow home defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the Manchester Senior Cup writes Chris Flanagan

The 31-year-old defender - playing his third game for the second string in eight days - put Wanderers back on level terms as he pounced to force a loose ball over the line after a corner had been dangerously flung into the box by Craig Knowles.

Wanderers, who fielded a young team in which only Laville, Blessing Kaku and Charlie Comyn-Platt had first-team experience, were always second best against a classy United, and fell behind in the 41st minute when Danish striker Mads Timm found the far corner with a fierce shot from a difficult angle.

But the Whites found their feet early in the second half, with Laville equalising in the 56th minute after he had seen his header cleared off the line by former Bolton School pupil Ben Collett from the preceding corner.

Wanderers survived a scare eight minutes from time when Rhys Powell almost conceded a bizarre own goal, but seconds later they were not so lucky, as David Poole ran clear to convert the winning goal.

The defeat leaves Wanderers needing United to beat Manchester City in the last game of the group stage in order to set up a rematch in the final of the competition.
 
Glad that Mads Timm at last show his face again in reports :) ..
Hope he can improve and stay injury free from now on .. have a lot of expectations on him ..

Anyone seen this kid play before? Is he really good?
https://picsrv.manutd.com/fif=/Man Utd/img_10_8547.fpx&obj=iip,1.0&wid=230&hei=159&rgn=0,0,0,0&cvt=jpeg

Evans
 
Penny said:
Anyone seen this kid play before? Is he really good?
https://picsrv.manutd.com/fif=/Man Utd/img_10_8547.fpx&obj=iip,1.0&wid=230&hei=159&rgn=0,0,0,0&cvt=jpeg

Evans

Sean Evans. I've seen him several times for the U-18's and also the Pontins reserve side. A decent left winger. A good eye for goal. Not blisteringly quick but quite tricky. Too soon to tell whether he'll make it but he's had a good season so far (IMHO).
 
feck said:
Sean Evans. I've seen him several times for the U-18's and also the Pontins reserve side. A decent left winger. A good eye for goal. Not blisteringly quick but quite tricky. Too soon to tell whether he'll make it but he's had a good season so far (IMHO).

Scored a cracker with his right foot from the left about a month or so against Tranmere reserves if I remember correctly.

5-0 win against Crewe under 18's!!!! Are they still a good side at youth level? If so, that's some scalp.
 
Antwerp update

Antwerp lost at home 1-0 to third-place SK Ronse. They have now lost two in succession and are four points behind leaders Zulte-Waregem.

Last night, Souleymane Mamam was out with an ankle injury. Archie Gomez started as one of the front two but was replaced at half-time by Fangzhou Dong. It sounds like Antwerp only created two chances in the 90 minutes, they played with 10 men for last 30 minutes.

1 Zulte-Waregem (ZWA) 21 12 6 3 46 24 22 42
2 Antwerp (ANT) 21 12 2 7 34 21 13 38
3 SK Ronse (RON) 21 11 5 5 27 19 8 38
4 Geel (GEE) 21 11 4 6 35 22 13 37
5 KSV Roeselare (ROE) 21 10 6 5 28 15 13 36
 
Does anyone know how many times we've won the manchester senior cup?

Thanks for the Antwerp updates Mista :)
 
ruudvantastic said:
Scored a cracker with his right foot from the left about a month or so against Tranmere reserves if I remember correctly.

5-0 win against Crewe under 18's!!!! Are they still a good side at youth level? If so, that's some scalp.
I saw that match - the youngsters played well and also thought Jamie Mullen had another good game - if he fills out abit could be very good player.
 
feck said:
Sean Evans. I've seen him several times for the U-18's and also the Pontins reserve side. A decent left winger. A good eye for goal. Not blisteringly quick but quite tricky. Too soon to tell whether he'll make it but he's had a good season so far (IMHO).

I hope Sean is ok. He got absolutely battered last night in the reserve game at Hyde. Quite late on, Stockport sub been on pitch only a couple of minutes and he poll-axed Evans. A really, really bad tackle. As bad as any I've seen this season. Looked malicious to me and I'd have not been surprised had the referee deemed it worthy of a red card. Ref bottled it and only gave a yellow. Sean resumed but was clearly not right and was subbed off just on 90 minutes limping badly. Fingers crossed it's nothing too severe and thank God for shinguards!
 
from their official site

serve Match Report

WILLIAMS SPOT-KICK EARNS POINT

Manchester United Reserves 1 (Martin 67)
County Reserves 1 (C Williams pen 73)


Chris Williams rescued a point from the spot

Chris Williams' equaliser from the penalty spot saw County Reserves earn an impressive point at leaders Manchester United last night.

The 19-year-old converted his spot-kick in the 73rd minute of the game at Ewen Fields after Rickie Lambert had been fouled inside the box.

Craig Madden's men had fallen behind just six minutes earlier when Lee Martin fired past Neil Cutler to give the Division One West leaders a one-goal lead.

County started the game with a strong line-up. Neil Cutler, Stuart Barlow, Danny Adams, Rickie Lambert and Damien Allen - the five substitutes named in the first team game against Barnsley at the weekend - were all included.

And there was also a starting place for Mark Robertson who was making his first appearance in a County shirt since picking up a thigh strain during the 3-1 victory against Milton Keynes Dons in December.

It was actually the Australian midfielder who was involved in County's best chance of the first half. He fed the ball to Barlow who then saw his shot superbly saved by United keeper Tom Heaton.

County continued to press after the break with Barlow seeing his header cleared off the line from Williams' corner.

And minutes later Mat Bailey had an effort saved by Heaton before his effort from the rebound was cleared off the line.

Against the run of play, though, United took the lead on 67 minutes when Lee Martin beat Cutler to score the opening goal of the game.

County were soon level, however, when Lambert was upended in the box allowing Williams to beat Heaton from the penalty spot and salvage a point for Craig Madden's men.

The Hatters could have won the game with a couple of good chances late on. First, another decent corner from Williams was met by Lambert who saw his header cleared off the line.

And right at the death Heaton made another superb stop to keep out Barlow's deflected shot.

County: Cutler, Brownhill, Griffin, Raynes, Adams, C Williams (Le Fondre 80), Robertson (Reilly 77), Lambert, Allen, Bailey (Worley 87), Barlow.
Subs not used: McEwen, Byrne.

Attendance: 289.