Gabe said:
I beleive he flew back to Manchester in May to sign the contract before those new rules came into effect. If that's true, he's got a signed contract, he's got an EU passport, but there's still a hold up.
Youth Reports
- Thread starter Neil Thomson
- Start date
I beleive he flew back to Manchester in May to sign the contract before those new rules came into effect. If that's true, he's got a signed contract, he's got an EU passport, but there's still a hold up.
Great performance from the reserves tonight - 4-0 away at Newcastle on a shite pitch. Defense was absolutely superb, Jones, Byrne and Wood great in the middle. Ben Williams had a fantastic game in goal, two goals from Cooper who looked good generally, and a gem from Wood. Only disappointment was Johnson, who was perhaps a bit knackered from Tuseday.
That Wood looks top class actually, I don't know much about him but on tonight's evidence is a Scholesy in the making.
That Wood looks top class actually, I don't know much about him but on tonight's evidence is a Scholesy in the making.
Did Eagles play or Mads Timm??
And why is Luke Steele not in the goal?
Great win for the reserves!
And why is Luke Steele not in the goal?
Great win for the reserves!
Can someone post the whole team? Need to write an article for the Swedish United-fans, thanks.
From a report on Newcastles site:
ManUtd: Williams, Lynch, Pugh, Bardsley, Tierney, Jones, Byrne, Wood, Cooper, Johnson, M Williams.
Subs (not used): Picken, Jowsey, Calliste, Eckersley, Ebanks-Blake.
That was from a first half report, don't know about subs in the second half.
ManUtd: Williams, Lynch, Pugh, Bardsley, Tierney, Jones, Byrne, Wood, Cooper, Johnson, M Williams.
Subs (not used): Picken, Jowsey, Calliste, Eckersley, Ebanks-Blake.
That was from a first half report, don't know about subs in the second half.
American40 said:
Calliste, Blake and Picken came on for Cooper, Johnson and (I think) Byrne.
Eagles and Timm didn't play.
Plechazunga said:
dont know about him being a new scholesy.. he usually plays quite deep and just keeps the ball moving. He had a good game tonight though, the best ive seen him play in a long time. I thought he was quite disappointing last season.
Cooper looked good, big lump of a lad too. Johnson had an off game.
I really like that guy Bardsley in defence, good player
the lads played some good stuff tonight on an awful rugby pitch
good to see Blake score his first reserve goal, the first of many im sure
Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Daniel Nardiello will return to Manchester United an improved player after his loan stint at Swansea City.
Nardiello linked up with the Third Division outfit last week on a month's loan, with Red Devils colleague Alan Tate joining him at Vetch Field.
Young striker Nardiello has struggled to establish himself in the first team squad at Old Trafford but has been a prolific scorer in the reserves.
The 21-year-old is following the well-trodden path of several United players, who have enjoyed loan stints away from the club to boost their experience.
United boss Ferguson believes it is imperative that former Wolves youth Nardiello samples competitive action, rather than continually playing for the Premiership champions' reserves.
"Daniel would have been in the squad for Leeds (in the Carling Cup) but it is important for his development that he gets more competitive football," outlined Ferguson.
"He has gone to Swansea, who are towards the top of their division, so it's the kind of challenge he really needs.
"We are trying to do this all the time, give young players the vital experience that Daniel is getting now.
"We have David Fox and Colin Heath out at Antwerp and Ben Williams has just come back from a month at Altrincham.
"Of course, Luke Chadwick and Michael Stewart are away at the moment, too. It puts them in an environment where they can learn because the Nationwide is a good league.
"It is much better for players of their age to play there than in our reserve team."
Nardiello linked up with the Third Division outfit last week on a month's loan, with Red Devils colleague Alan Tate joining him at Vetch Field.
Young striker Nardiello has struggled to establish himself in the first team squad at Old Trafford but has been a prolific scorer in the reserves.
The 21-year-old is following the well-trodden path of several United players, who have enjoyed loan stints away from the club to boost their experience.
United boss Ferguson believes it is imperative that former Wolves youth Nardiello samples competitive action, rather than continually playing for the Premiership champions' reserves.
"Daniel would have been in the squad for Leeds (in the Carling Cup) but it is important for his development that he gets more competitive football," outlined Ferguson.
"He has gone to Swansea, who are towards the top of their division, so it's the kind of challenge he really needs.
"We are trying to do this all the time, give young players the vital experience that Daniel is getting now.
"We have David Fox and Colin Heath out at Antwerp and Ben Williams has just come back from a month at Altrincham.
"Of course, Luke Chadwick and Michael Stewart are away at the moment, too. It puts them in an environment where they can learn because the Nationwide is a good league.
"It is much better for players of their age to play there than in our reserve team."
According to the official site Marcus Neumayr has dislocated his collarbone in training and will be out a few weeks.
A very mixed week for the Academy teams.
the U-17's won 3-1. Goals from Marsh, Mullen and Burns saw them home.
However, the U-19's got stuffed 4-0 by Sheff Weds. The team included Blake, Timm, EAGLES, Callistre, Eckersley, McShane, Simms and Heaton so it was a very strong team. The worst part was some play by Blake when he was one of one with the keeper and passed to Callistre when he was obviously offside. Very poor play.
I am sure Brian McClair had more than a few words!.
the U-17's won 3-1. Goals from Marsh, Mullen and Burns saw them home.
However, the U-19's got stuffed 4-0 by Sheff Weds. The team included Blake, Timm, EAGLES, Callistre, Eckersley, McShane, Simms and Heaton so it was a very strong team. The worst part was some play by Blake when he was one of one with the keeper and passed to Callistre when he was obviously offside. Very poor play.
I am sure Brian McClair had more than a few words!.
We will begin the defence of the FA Youth Cup against either Rushden and Diamonds or Hayes. The tie has to be played by 6th December.
Did not think this deserved its own thread in the transfer forum, but heres another lad we look to be getting, sky sports
Ferguson ready to launch another class of '92
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Floribert N'Galula getting the Fergie commendation.
English Premiership News
Monday 10th November 2003 11:28 | By Mark Needham | Views: 349
Alex Ferguson says he is ready to unleash a new batch of teenagers to match the Paul Scholes and David Beckham class of '92.
Darren Fletcher and Chris Eagles have both featured in games this season for the Champions, but Ferguson says there is more talent waiting to break through.
"It is definitely possible from what I have seen. Definitely." he said.
"We have some terrific young players coming through the club together with those we have brought in like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Bellion. There is Darren Fletcher, Chris Eagles and the boy from Belgium, Floribert N'Galula, who is 17 and an excellent player.
"Hopefully they can mature together and develop together in the way the players who came through with Ryan Giggs did."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Floribert N'Galula getting the Fergie commendation.
English Premiership News
Monday 10th November 2003 11:28 | By Mark Needham | Views: 349
Alex Ferguson says he is ready to unleash a new batch of teenagers to match the Paul Scholes and David Beckham class of '92.
Darren Fletcher and Chris Eagles have both featured in games this season for the Champions, but Ferguson says there is more talent waiting to break through.
"It is definitely possible from what I have seen. Definitely." he said.
"We have some terrific young players coming through the club together with those we have brought in like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Bellion. There is Darren Fletcher, Chris Eagles and the boy from Belgium, Floribert N'Galula, who is 17 and an excellent player.
"Hopefully they can mature together and develop together in the way the players who came through with Ryan Giggs did."
Anybody know much about Jonathan Spector? I saw an article about it in the Chicago Tribune:
Where Beckham's Trod, He's Treading
by Bonnie Desimone
At this time last year, Jonathan Spector thought he would be back home in Arlington Heights, spending his senior year at St. Viator High School.
Instead, still four months shy of his 18th birthday, he has been transported to an enchanted athletic venue outside Manchester, England, called Carrington, where he is paid to play soccer. As he modestly notes, "It's the first real job I've had," other than a short stint as a referee for the Arlington Heights Park District.
Carrington is world headquarters for Manchester United, a global juggernaut.
Spector, who signed a four-year contract with Man Utd for an undisclosed amount this year, will play and train largely with the club's under-19 and reserve teams, but he already has stepped onto the practice pitch with the first team.
"You know, the guys you've heard of," Spector said without a trace of affectation. "The team David Beckham used to play for. I wasn't as intimidated as I was excited. The guys are pretty supportive. A lot of them came up and introduced themselves … not that I didn't know who they were."
Spector, a defender who began his soccer career as a forward, is one of several young American players scooped up recently by Manchester United, including U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard, who starts for the first team.
The team's spontaneous, heady courtship of Spector began when a scout spotted him playing with the U.S. under-17 team in a tournament in Ireland in April 2002.
Manchester offered Spector a tryout, then a contract, disrupting his regularly scheduled life. He had left St. Viator after his sophomore season with the intention of spending the next two years at the U-17 residency program at the Edison Academy in Bradenton, Fla., playing in last August's U-17 world championship in Finland, returning to Chicago to graduate and then heading off to college.
He began to shift gears when U-17 coach John Ellinger shifted him to the back line and encouraged him and other players to participate in an accelerated high school program.
Then came the proposition from Manchester, which trumped scholarship packages from several Division I schools. Spector doubtless endeared himself to fans when he told British reporters upon signing, "I may be American, but even I know you never say no to Manchester United."
Spector earned his diploma last spring and started for the U.S. team in the worlds. After a two-week rest at home, he left for England in September.
Young players like Spector are placed with local families until they turn 18. He lives with two teammates in the home of Terry and Janet Holden.
A team driver picks up the players each morning and drives them to the lavish Carrington complex. Spector's days are structured around rigorous fitness training, weight lifting and yoga. He and Howard squeezed in a little pickup basketball recently. Spector has that sport in his blood as well; his late grandfather, Art, a charter member of the Boston Celtics, played four years with that franchise.
Manchester's U-19s compete weekly with other teams in that age bracket for the FA Youth Cup. Spector is still waiting for international soccer officials to complete the paperwork to allow him to play in full matches. In his off hours, he is taking history and philosophy correspondence courses through Indiana University.
"I definitely want to get my degree, in case something happens, or I don't make it, which I don't plan on happening," he said.
Spector said he's adjusting to his unusual lifestyle fairly smoothly. He is accustomed to travel and pressure at the international level, and he is confident he belongs. "I don't think they would have signed me if they didn't believe in my ability," he said.
Where Beckham's Trod, He's Treading
by Bonnie Desimone
At this time last year, Jonathan Spector thought he would be back home in Arlington Heights, spending his senior year at St. Viator High School.
Instead, still four months shy of his 18th birthday, he has been transported to an enchanted athletic venue outside Manchester, England, called Carrington, where he is paid to play soccer. As he modestly notes, "It's the first real job I've had," other than a short stint as a referee for the Arlington Heights Park District.
Carrington is world headquarters for Manchester United, a global juggernaut.
Spector, who signed a four-year contract with Man Utd for an undisclosed amount this year, will play and train largely with the club's under-19 and reserve teams, but he already has stepped onto the practice pitch with the first team.
"You know, the guys you've heard of," Spector said without a trace of affectation. "The team David Beckham used to play for. I wasn't as intimidated as I was excited. The guys are pretty supportive. A lot of them came up and introduced themselves … not that I didn't know who they were."
Spector, a defender who began his soccer career as a forward, is one of several young American players scooped up recently by Manchester United, including U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard, who starts for the first team.
The team's spontaneous, heady courtship of Spector began when a scout spotted him playing with the U.S. under-17 team in a tournament in Ireland in April 2002.
Manchester offered Spector a tryout, then a contract, disrupting his regularly scheduled life. He had left St. Viator after his sophomore season with the intention of spending the next two years at the U-17 residency program at the Edison Academy in Bradenton, Fla., playing in last August's U-17 world championship in Finland, returning to Chicago to graduate and then heading off to college.
He began to shift gears when U-17 coach John Ellinger shifted him to the back line and encouraged him and other players to participate in an accelerated high school program.
Then came the proposition from Manchester, which trumped scholarship packages from several Division I schools. Spector doubtless endeared himself to fans when he told British reporters upon signing, "I may be American, but even I know you never say no to Manchester United."
Spector earned his diploma last spring and started for the U.S. team in the worlds. After a two-week rest at home, he left for England in September.
Young players like Spector are placed with local families until they turn 18. He lives with two teammates in the home of Terry and Janet Holden.
A team driver picks up the players each morning and drives them to the lavish Carrington complex. Spector's days are structured around rigorous fitness training, weight lifting and yoga. He and Howard squeezed in a little pickup basketball recently. Spector has that sport in his blood as well; his late grandfather, Art, a charter member of the Boston Celtics, played four years with that franchise.
Manchester's U-19s compete weekly with other teams in that age bracket for the FA Youth Cup. Spector is still waiting for international soccer officials to complete the paperwork to allow him to play in full matches. In his off hours, he is taking history and philosophy correspondence courses through Indiana University.
"I definitely want to get my degree, in case something happens, or I don't make it, which I don't plan on happening," he said.
Spector said he's adjusting to his unusual lifestyle fairly smoothly. He is accustomed to travel and pressure at the international level, and he is confident he belongs. "I don't think they would have signed me if they didn't believe in my ability," he said.
DA Bears... said:
Look through the earlier pages for comments on Spector- he plays centre back. He's tall, well built, confident, and good on the ball. Hopefully he can start getting some games soon, and establish himself.
Bolton 1 United 2
From Wayne @ Red News
United team - Carroll; Lynch, Bardsley, Tierney (capt), Pugh; Eagles, Kleberson, Wood, Richardson; Cooper, Bellion
Subs - Johnson (for Eagles HT), M. Williams (for Cooper 60mins), Jones (for Richardson 62mins).
Subs not used - B. Williams, Eckersley.
Bolton featured a few experienced 'names' in their eleven. Kevin Poole was in goal, Anthony Barness, Ibrahim Ba, Henrik Pedersen and Mario Jardel all also were starters.
I rolled up to the Lancashire County FA headquarters in good time and was impressed with the set up. Not terribly great for the paying public, admission £3 tonight, but the playing surface looked as good as any I've seen this season. I'm certain that the United boys would be delighted to see a nice flat, grassy pitch after their exertions on Newcastle's rugby pitch a couple of weeks ago in their previous competitive outing. Since then the boys also had a run out against Glenavon in Ireland in a friendly which they won fairly comfortably. They are on a bit of roll now so I am feeling optimistic, particularly with Bolton being mired right at the bottom of the table in the Premier Reserve League North.
Good crowd here to see the match, the only stand was full with lots of Lancs youth football teams on a night out to see what they are all aspiring to. Plenty of excitable young boys looking forward to seeing United, and according to some I heard talking prematch, Ronaldo and Nistelrooy will defo be playing tonight!! Other than the small stand down half the length of one side of the pitch no other real spectator facilities present. Spectators were stood 2 and 3 deep down the other side of the pitch and a very good number congregating behind the goals too.
Bolton kicked off but it was United who made the early inroads. David Bellion and Kieran Richardson linked really well down the left, Richardson slotted Bellion in on the outside and DB was too quick for the Bolton right back who clipped our Frenchman as he was primed to reach the by-line. The foul was awarded just outside of the area, 2 feet or so outside and 4 or 5 yards from the by-line. Chris Eagles looked to fire in but the Wanderers wall blocked well. The rebound fell towards Kleberson who attempted a volley but missed his kick completely under pressure form the advancing Bolton rearguard.
On 5 minutes Mario Jardel hit a venomous shot that stayed out but I am not really sure whether there was woodwork involved or if it was wide and into the advertising hoardings. It was a scare anyway and was followed by 2 more Bolton chances in quite quick succession. Firstly the BW 10, Walters had a clear header after a nice cross from the right but he got too much on it and missed wide of the right post. Then Anthony Barness hit a real rasper that appeared on target for the top corner but Roy Carroll intervened to push it away at the expense of a corner. Roy caught the ensuing corner and quickly launched a punt upfield that Bellion did well to knock into Kenny Cooper's path but the big American could not quite capitalise.
The two United front men were linking really well, with Cooper's size and presence complimenting Bellion blistering speed. This looks an ideal partnership and leaves us with an embarrassing wealth up front with Eddie Johnson sat on the bench and Daniel Nardiello still away at Swansea on loan. Unfortunately none of these four are, in my opinion, yet ready to give SAF a selection headache regarding the first team striking options. Kenny Cooper and Eddie Johnson both have a chance of developing into the 'real thing' but Bellion is probably more of a winger and Nardiello, scorer of many goals this season for the reserves, isn't going to make the grade at Old Trafford, I'm afraid. Would love to be proved wrong but somehow feel he'll leave us for a lower division opportunity somewhere as Danny Webber and others have in the past.
The opening goal came halfway through the first period. Kenny Cooper held the ball up well and laid it off to David Bellion who fashioned a shooting chance which was partially charged down. The ball squirmed through the block and went out for a corner kick. Neil Wood took the corner from the United right and Cooper rose but failed to make contact at the far post, Kleberson scrambled out to the left flank to retrieve the ball and hit a perfect left footed cross that Phil Bardsley headed home from 7 or 8 yards out.
The advantage was doubled on 25 minutes. Danny Pugh won a great tackle on halfway and brought the ball on. Fed to the edge of the box where a neat interchange between Neil Wood and Cooper left Wood in the area and working to make room to pull the trigger. He had just worked the ball onto his favoured left foot but was fouled before he could test Poole. The referee was well positioned and did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Wood picked himself up and placed the ball, no Nardiello so Woodie it was and he made no mistake, into the bottom left corner with Poole going the other way. 2-0 and cruising.
United created a few more opportunities before the break but none were converted. Kleberson fashioned one for Cooper that illustrated the Brazilian's supreme vision. Kleberson may have been caught in possession a few times and he may have misplaced a couple of passes but this single moment in the first half and another similar one in the second half convinced me that he does indeed have a part to play for United. I can foresee a situation where United are playing against a dour defensive set up and are unable to break through. I always thought that Veron was brought in to 'unlock' the door in those circumstances but it never really came off did it? But this South American might be 'The One.' Superb flicked pass with the outside of his left foot, it completely wrong footed the defence and had me standing in awe. How had he seen it? How did he manage to execute it? He was too clever for Cooper who looked as surprised as I was and failed to make up the ground to pounce.
Phil Bardsley ought to have doubled his personal tally on the night in 40 minutes. Another cross from our left leaving him with a free header in a very similar position from where he'd scored earlier. This time he failed to connect and was as unhappy as he had been happy a quarter of an hour earlier - the agony and the ecstasy.
Bolton were awarded a penalty just before half-time. Jardel converted low into the right corner with Roy well beaten. Mark Lynch conceded the spot kick after a tussle just inside our area. The attacker seemed to go down quite easily but I was 100 yards away so won't even begin to emulate our 'friends' at the wrong end of the East Lancs road and accuse the official of getting a penalty call wrong. So 1-2 at half-time and United well worth the lead.
Eddie Johnson came on for Chris Eagles at the beginning of the second period. The change paired Johnson with Cooper at the spearhead of our attack with David Bellion now moving to a right wing position. Bellion gave the home left back a torrid time and eventually had the number 3 cautioned near the end of the contest after a series of increasingly desperate tackles. On one of the occasions when DB managed to get away from the leftback without being felled he pulled an inviting low cross to Johnson who hit a first time shot from near the penalty spot that Kevin Poole did very well to push past the post.
Kleberson unlocked the Wanderers defence again, this time the beneficiary of his vision was Johnson who was on the same wavelength as the Brazilian. EJ really ought to have buried this one. Clean through, one on one. Cue a world class stop by Poole. Keepers in those situations have to gamble and some times it comes off for them and this was one of those. Poole dived to his right just as Eddie attempted to power his shot the same way...
From Wayne @ Red News
United team - Carroll; Lynch, Bardsley, Tierney (capt), Pugh; Eagles, Kleberson, Wood, Richardson; Cooper, Bellion
Subs - Johnson (for Eagles HT), M. Williams (for Cooper 60mins), Jones (for Richardson 62mins).
Subs not used - B. Williams, Eckersley.
Bolton featured a few experienced 'names' in their eleven. Kevin Poole was in goal, Anthony Barness, Ibrahim Ba, Henrik Pedersen and Mario Jardel all also were starters.
I rolled up to the Lancashire County FA headquarters in good time and was impressed with the set up. Not terribly great for the paying public, admission £3 tonight, but the playing surface looked as good as any I've seen this season. I'm certain that the United boys would be delighted to see a nice flat, grassy pitch after their exertions on Newcastle's rugby pitch a couple of weeks ago in their previous competitive outing. Since then the boys also had a run out against Glenavon in Ireland in a friendly which they won fairly comfortably. They are on a bit of roll now so I am feeling optimistic, particularly with Bolton being mired right at the bottom of the table in the Premier Reserve League North.
Good crowd here to see the match, the only stand was full with lots of Lancs youth football teams on a night out to see what they are all aspiring to. Plenty of excitable young boys looking forward to seeing United, and according to some I heard talking prematch, Ronaldo and Nistelrooy will defo be playing tonight!! Other than the small stand down half the length of one side of the pitch no other real spectator facilities present. Spectators were stood 2 and 3 deep down the other side of the pitch and a very good number congregating behind the goals too.
Bolton kicked off but it was United who made the early inroads. David Bellion and Kieran Richardson linked really well down the left, Richardson slotted Bellion in on the outside and DB was too quick for the Bolton right back who clipped our Frenchman as he was primed to reach the by-line. The foul was awarded just outside of the area, 2 feet or so outside and 4 or 5 yards from the by-line. Chris Eagles looked to fire in but the Wanderers wall blocked well. The rebound fell towards Kleberson who attempted a volley but missed his kick completely under pressure form the advancing Bolton rearguard.
On 5 minutes Mario Jardel hit a venomous shot that stayed out but I am not really sure whether there was woodwork involved or if it was wide and into the advertising hoardings. It was a scare anyway and was followed by 2 more Bolton chances in quite quick succession. Firstly the BW 10, Walters had a clear header after a nice cross from the right but he got too much on it and missed wide of the right post. Then Anthony Barness hit a real rasper that appeared on target for the top corner but Roy Carroll intervened to push it away at the expense of a corner. Roy caught the ensuing corner and quickly launched a punt upfield that Bellion did well to knock into Kenny Cooper's path but the big American could not quite capitalise.
The two United front men were linking really well, with Cooper's size and presence complimenting Bellion blistering speed. This looks an ideal partnership and leaves us with an embarrassing wealth up front with Eddie Johnson sat on the bench and Daniel Nardiello still away at Swansea on loan. Unfortunately none of these four are, in my opinion, yet ready to give SAF a selection headache regarding the first team striking options. Kenny Cooper and Eddie Johnson both have a chance of developing into the 'real thing' but Bellion is probably more of a winger and Nardiello, scorer of many goals this season for the reserves, isn't going to make the grade at Old Trafford, I'm afraid. Would love to be proved wrong but somehow feel he'll leave us for a lower division opportunity somewhere as Danny Webber and others have in the past.
The opening goal came halfway through the first period. Kenny Cooper held the ball up well and laid it off to David Bellion who fashioned a shooting chance which was partially charged down. The ball squirmed through the block and went out for a corner kick. Neil Wood took the corner from the United right and Cooper rose but failed to make contact at the far post, Kleberson scrambled out to the left flank to retrieve the ball and hit a perfect left footed cross that Phil Bardsley headed home from 7 or 8 yards out.
The advantage was doubled on 25 minutes. Danny Pugh won a great tackle on halfway and brought the ball on. Fed to the edge of the box where a neat interchange between Neil Wood and Cooper left Wood in the area and working to make room to pull the trigger. He had just worked the ball onto his favoured left foot but was fouled before he could test Poole. The referee was well positioned and did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Wood picked himself up and placed the ball, no Nardiello so Woodie it was and he made no mistake, into the bottom left corner with Poole going the other way. 2-0 and cruising.
United created a few more opportunities before the break but none were converted. Kleberson fashioned one for Cooper that illustrated the Brazilian's supreme vision. Kleberson may have been caught in possession a few times and he may have misplaced a couple of passes but this single moment in the first half and another similar one in the second half convinced me that he does indeed have a part to play for United. I can foresee a situation where United are playing against a dour defensive set up and are unable to break through. I always thought that Veron was brought in to 'unlock' the door in those circumstances but it never really came off did it? But this South American might be 'The One.' Superb flicked pass with the outside of his left foot, it completely wrong footed the defence and had me standing in awe. How had he seen it? How did he manage to execute it? He was too clever for Cooper who looked as surprised as I was and failed to make up the ground to pounce.
Phil Bardsley ought to have doubled his personal tally on the night in 40 minutes. Another cross from our left leaving him with a free header in a very similar position from where he'd scored earlier. This time he failed to connect and was as unhappy as he had been happy a quarter of an hour earlier - the agony and the ecstasy.
Bolton were awarded a penalty just before half-time. Jardel converted low into the right corner with Roy well beaten. Mark Lynch conceded the spot kick after a tussle just inside our area. The attacker seemed to go down quite easily but I was 100 yards away so won't even begin to emulate our 'friends' at the wrong end of the East Lancs road and accuse the official of getting a penalty call wrong. So 1-2 at half-time and United well worth the lead.
Eddie Johnson came on for Chris Eagles at the beginning of the second period. The change paired Johnson with Cooper at the spearhead of our attack with David Bellion now moving to a right wing position. Bellion gave the home left back a torrid time and eventually had the number 3 cautioned near the end of the contest after a series of increasingly desperate tackles. On one of the occasions when DB managed to get away from the leftback without being felled he pulled an inviting low cross to Johnson who hit a first time shot from near the penalty spot that Kevin Poole did very well to push past the post.
Kleberson unlocked the Wanderers defence again, this time the beneficiary of his vision was Johnson who was on the same wavelength as the Brazilian. EJ really ought to have buried this one. Clean through, one on one. Cue a world class stop by Poole. Keepers in those situations have to gamble and some times it comes off for them and this was one of those. Poole dived to his right just as Eddie attempted to power his shot the same way...
pt 2 ...
On 70 minutes Bellion latched onto another long Carroll punt and deftly cut inside onto his left foot. He hit his shot accurately, from outside and to the right of the penalty area, but without power and Poole made the routine stop low to his right. Shortly after this Kieran Richardson had a free header from a Wood corner but failed to trouble Poole as his effort was back across goal but also beyond the post. Might have hoped for a bit better.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes Bellion went on a great run. He picked the ball up near halfway and teased his route through towards the area. He slotted a through ball that Kenny Cooper did well to take around the sprawling Poole but his left footed effort from an acute angle was not powerful enough to beat the now retreating home keeper who gratefully pushed the goalbound effort behind for another United corner. The American was subbed off now as was Kieran Richardson moments later. The replacements being Matt Williams and David Jones, Jones probably feeling somewhat disappointed having lost his starting place to Kleberson. Williams went up front and 1DJ went wide left.
Bellion again excelled and created another shooting opportunity for the Reds. A great run down the right, collision with a defender that was deemed not to be a foul, a tumble, a rapid recovery and then a composed pull back to Neil Wood who hit the volley from the edge of the area but missed the target. Bellion really was on fire tonight. My man of the match by a good margin. Good control, vision, distribution and blinding pace. Hope he continues to progress, maybe that £2 million won't look so expensive in a year or two?
Matt Williams was mixing it from his first minute on the pitch. The corner came over that Cooper had won before being replaced by Williams and all I heard was a stream of expletives from Kevin Poole after he'd been somehow 'impeded' by the United number 12. Matt then got involved in another bit of rough and tumble before he finally managed to get himself booked for a crude lunge on the BW number 12 on the edge of their area. A case of trying to impress a bit too much in too short of a period of time maybe? In the closing minutes Danny Pugh also saw the yellow card after foolishly flicking the ball away over the advertising hoardings after a decision went against him. Three or four of the Boltonians also managed to find their way into the official's bad books. Wasn't really a dirty game but seemed like a few cards were dished out. The two United boys certainly can have no complaints about their bookings anyway.
Bolton did press for the equaliser but happily it never came despite a couple of freekicks in promising positions for them. Another win, this takes the boys above Everton (on goal difference) into third place in the table. Villa are flying at the top, the draw with United in the first match of the season being their only dropped points to date. Newcastle sit in second.
Next match is a charity benefit on Thursday in memory of one of the families killed in the M56 accident earlier this year. It's at Ledbury Town and kicks off at 1930 but it is sold out. apparently. Next league match is at Altrincham on Thursday 20th at 1900 vs. Leeds United (presuming they are still in business then).
On 70 minutes Bellion latched onto another long Carroll punt and deftly cut inside onto his left foot. He hit his shot accurately, from outside and to the right of the penalty area, but without power and Poole made the routine stop low to his right. Shortly after this Kieran Richardson had a free header from a Wood corner but failed to trouble Poole as his effort was back across goal but also beyond the post. Might have hoped for a bit better.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes Bellion went on a great run. He picked the ball up near halfway and teased his route through towards the area. He slotted a through ball that Kenny Cooper did well to take around the sprawling Poole but his left footed effort from an acute angle was not powerful enough to beat the now retreating home keeper who gratefully pushed the goalbound effort behind for another United corner. The American was subbed off now as was Kieran Richardson moments later. The replacements being Matt Williams and David Jones, Jones probably feeling somewhat disappointed having lost his starting place to Kleberson. Williams went up front and 1DJ went wide left.
Bellion again excelled and created another shooting opportunity for the Reds. A great run down the right, collision with a defender that was deemed not to be a foul, a tumble, a rapid recovery and then a composed pull back to Neil Wood who hit the volley from the edge of the area but missed the target. Bellion really was on fire tonight. My man of the match by a good margin. Good control, vision, distribution and blinding pace. Hope he continues to progress, maybe that £2 million won't look so expensive in a year or two?
Matt Williams was mixing it from his first minute on the pitch. The corner came over that Cooper had won before being replaced by Williams and all I heard was a stream of expletives from Kevin Poole after he'd been somehow 'impeded' by the United number 12. Matt then got involved in another bit of rough and tumble before he finally managed to get himself booked for a crude lunge on the BW number 12 on the edge of their area. A case of trying to impress a bit too much in too short of a period of time maybe? In the closing minutes Danny Pugh also saw the yellow card after foolishly flicking the ball away over the advertising hoardings after a decision went against him. Three or four of the Boltonians also managed to find their way into the official's bad books. Wasn't really a dirty game but seemed like a few cards were dished out. The two United boys certainly can have no complaints about their bookings anyway.
Bolton did press for the equaliser but happily it never came despite a couple of freekicks in promising positions for them. Another win, this takes the boys above Everton (on goal difference) into third place in the table. Villa are flying at the top, the draw with United in the first match of the season being their only dropped points to date. Newcastle sit in second.
Next match is a charity benefit on Thursday in memory of one of the families killed in the M56 accident earlier this year. It's at Ledbury Town and kicks off at 1930 but it is sold out. apparently. Next league match is at Altrincham on Thursday 20th at 1900 vs. Leeds United (presuming they are still in business then).
Manchester United's American starlet Jonathan Spector has admitted that he is growing frustrated at the red-tape preventing him from playing for his club.
The 17-year-old holds an EU passport, but a Fifa rule that stops under-18s being registered outside of their own nation has prevented him getting his chance.
"I don't really understand whey they're keeping me from playing," said Spector.
"Legally I could have any other job here. It's a fairly new rule and I signed before it went into effect."
Spector admitted that he is annoyed to miss out on the FA Youth Cup, which would have given him a chance to make an impact.
"I want to play in matches anyway, but I'd really like to be part of that," added the youngster - who paid testament to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"He really looks after people well. He knows everyone's name at the club, even if you just meet him one time."
The 17-year-old holds an EU passport, but a Fifa rule that stops under-18s being registered outside of their own nation has prevented him getting his chance.
"I don't really understand whey they're keeping me from playing," said Spector.
"Legally I could have any other job here. It's a fairly new rule and I signed before it went into effect."
Spector admitted that he is annoyed to miss out on the FA Youth Cup, which would have given him a chance to make an impact.
"I want to play in matches anyway, but I'd really like to be part of that," added the youngster - who paid testament to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"He really looks after people well. He knows everyone's name at the club, even if you just meet him one time."
We're signing a Chinese lad!
Dong Fangzhuo. Don't laugh.
1 million quid - better move a few shirts...
Dong Fangzhuo. Don't laugh.
1 million quid - better move a few shirts...
hehehe, I just want to ask about it Gaz..
btw, it says that he scored for the reserve on the trial. anybody see how that match went?
btw, it says that he scored for the reserve on the trial. anybody see how that match went?
http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NextStep/20031111082524/view
Spector has been cleared to play by FIFA. Should be an excellent pairing with McShane and Spector defending for the U19's.
Spector has been cleared to play by FIFA. Should be an excellent pairing with McShane and Spector defending for the U19's.
According to a scouse report the U19's drew at home to Liverpool.
0-0 United were dominant in the second half but the scousers held on.
0-0 United were dominant in the second half but the scousers held on.
reserves 2 leeds reserves 1
cooper
wood
bridges,domi and wilcox played in leeds team but a persistent united scored 2 goals in 4 minutes late in game to grab a deserved win.
cooper
wood
bridges,domi and wilcox played in leeds team but a persistent united scored 2 goals in 4 minutes late in game to grab a deserved win.
Formal Man Utd younster Alex Notman has hang up his boot.. what a sad news...
Manchester United Reserves 2 Leeds Reserves 1
Friday, November 21, 2003
United - Carroll; Lynch, Bardsley, Tierney (capt), Pugh; Byrne, Jones, Wood, Richardson; Johnson; Cooper
Subs - Poole (for Byrne 66mins). Subs not used - B. Williams, M. Williams, Sims
Despite their perilous financial state Leeds managed to bring over a full 11 starters and a full complement of substitutes (whereas we clearly decided that 4 available subs would be plenty tonight). The famous five in the Leeds eleven were Wilcox, Domi, Lennon, Bridges and Chapuis.
Quite a heavy looking pitch at Alty, it cut up badly in the goalmouth where Roy Carroll had warmed up but was otherwise still looking in good nick with plenty of grass and no real signs of the mud that will become more prevalent in the coming couple of months.
The Leeds keeper, Scott Carson, demonstrated just how soft the ground was as he was on his arse after 2 out of his first 3 kicked clearances. Did it one more time in the second half just to entertain those behind the other goal too.
First opportunity fell to Cyril Chapuis on 5 minutes who was played through but in trying to lob the ball over the rapidly advancing Carroll only succeeded in lobbing over Roy, over the bar and over the stand ......... new ball please. This was the first of many scares down our right hand side tonight. One minute later United's first effort was a long range right footer from David Jones which sliced well wide.
An offside flag helped to prevent embarrassment as Carroll had to rush out of his area to challenge Bridges who was through. Roy got a bit of a block in but the ball fell to Lennon who attempted to lob the ball goalwards. Not sure if it was on target but the United defence was scrambling back to the goal with some purpose to intercept only for the referee to (finally) notice that the flag was up.
United were also caught offside a few times early on. Looked as though Eddie Johnson was sitting a bit deeper than Kenny Cooper up front leaving us with a 4-4-1-1 formation. Ajax have been doing it for years, in that all of their teams from the earliest of ages right through to the first team play exactly the same system. The reserves have been pretty exclusively 4-4-2 this season but tonight, first half anyway, we looked a little different with EJ playing just off the big American.
Our best move of the half came on 18 minutes. 3 great triangles worked down the left, with super slick 1-2's, before Kenny Cooper cut in and hit a shot from 25 yards that again sliced wide off of his right boot. The yellow shirted Yorkshiremen took the lead, on 25 minutes, a little bit fortuitously. A cross was hit in from their right that took a slight deflection off of Danny Pugh. The deviation sent the ball perfectly to Aaron Lennon who calmly controlled before hitting his shot into the bottom left corner of the goal from 12 yards. 0-1.
They could have doubled their lead a minute later when Chapuis again found himself 1 on 1 with Roy, who was, at least, forced to make a save this time. Leeds then contrived to give away a series of freekicks within shooting range which we contrived to largely waste. The best was a 25 yarder struck just wide by Neil Wood that Carson looked very pleased to see pass by the post.
On 33 minutes Simon Johnson, the Leeds 11, did well to make a bit of room for himself and struck a nice right footer that was curling towards the far post but Roy Carroll caught it at a comfortable height without too much drama. On the resulting counterattack David Jones picked the ball up in a tight spot just on halfway. He twisted and turned, this way and that, with a couple of Leeds boys snapping away at him but he worked a little bit of space and enough time to lay the ball off to Danny Byrne who hit a nice early cross from near the right touchline, angled towards the area, where Eddie Johnson rose and flicked his header goalwards. The ball looped up and Carson had to palm it over the bar as it had been destined for the net. No-one would expect to beat a keeper from 18 yards, with a header, but it was a great effort.
Two more good United efforts before half-time. Danny Byrne cut in from the right flank and hit a testing shot with his left that Carson had to push away for a corner. Neil Wood took the left footed, inswinging, corner which fell to Eddie Johnson just beyond the far post. His shot was on target, and beat Carson but hit a defender on the line.
Leeds then fashioned two more openings of their own to close the first half. A corner from their right fell to Domi who hit his shot well enough but found it to be too close to Carroll who gathered well in a crowded goal mouth. Cyril Chapuis then had another really good chance but rushed his shot and therefore missed the target when he ought to have doubled the lead.
Trailing 1-0 at half-time and we really couldn't complain too much about it. On balance Leeds created more, and better, opportunities and on another day could have been 2 or 3 up.
Spent the half-time interval trying to figure out the rules of the 'game' that our subs were playing. They were warming up on the pitch, nothing unusual there then but generally the sub keeper stands between the sticks and the others take pot-shots. Not tonight though, tonight it was a simple game of keepie-uppie with the 4 subs in a loose square formation. I think I worked out that after a certain number of successful passes, maybe 10 (?), whoever caused the chain to break, either with a crap pass or a miss-control got punished. The punishment was that the other three could each take a flick at the ear of the guilty one!
Second half started a bit slowly. First 10 minutes were a bit sterile with neither team making much happen. Kieran Richardson lit things up with a nice run from just inside his own half. Took the ball to the edge of the Leeds area at pace. First one defender tried to bring him down then a second fouled him right at the edge and the freekick was awarded and a yellow card offered to the 2nd tackler whose effort was deemed to have been the more deserving of the 2 attempted hacks. Danny Byrne hit the freekick, from near the right angle of the penalty area, but his right footed effort was dipping a bit too late to trouble Carson.
Just before the hour mark 2 more United chances went begging. Kieran Richardson was really unlucky when his volley, from a Mark Lynch cross, was blocked by Carson. A great save. Soon afterwards Eddie Johnson hit a right footer that was deflected just past the post. At this stage I admit to thinking that it was going to be one of those nights. We were certainly getting the better of them in the 2nd period but would the goal ever come? Carson seemed to be getting in the way of everything and Domi and McStay, their centrebacks, were both dealing well with Cooper and Johnson, who were now both pushing on to the Leeds back line.
Coming up to three quarters through the match and Eddie Johnson had 2 more opportunities. The first created superbly by Danny Pugh who dinked a great cross back towards the penalty spot where EJ met it with a right footed volley well wide. EJ then created another chance for himself and again dragged his shot off target, this time wide of the near post.
Ricky Sbragia made our first, and only, substitution at this point. Danny Byrne making way for David Poole. A straight swap with Poole on the right wing. He soon made an impact, he'd been on less than 10 minutes when the equaliser finally arrived and he was right at the centre of it. Kenny Cooper and Poole linked out on the right wing, Poolie then laid it back to Mark Lynch who passed inside to Kieran Richardson who found Poole, now just inside the area, the sub played a great ball on to Kenny Cooper who was now only 6 or 7 yards out but wide of goal. The Dallas boy did supremely well to cut inside of an attempted block leaving himself with just Carson to beat which he did with some grace. 1-1 and much relief around the ground and plenty of delight on the pitch as the boys celebrated a richly deserved, and very well worked, goal.
The winner came with a bit less than 10 minutes to go. Richardson had just terminated another promising United move with a woeful final pass but he kept plugging away and created the final goal for Neil Wood. Kieran went on another run after picking up the pieces in central midfield and slotted a perfectly weighted pass for Wood to run onto and to shoot with his less favoured right foot from just around the edge of the area comfortably past Carson. 2-1.
One major scare in the final minutes when Mark Lynch tried to shepherd the ball out of play on the right touchline but got robbed by the Leeds substitute, Chris Armstrong, and dumped on his arse for his troubles. Armstrong took the ball to the by-line but happily his cutback was wasted by the forward who hit his shot wide of the near post.
On balance I think we just about deserved the victory based on the number of chances we created, second half particularly. Were I a Leeds fan - no way, no how - I might make a case that, based on their first half, they could have hoped for a point overall. But then Leeds did steal an undeserved equaliser in injury time in the home game earlier this season so maybe this was justice.
Tough to choose a man of the match tonight. Phil Bardsley was excellent in central defence and both EJ and Cooper worked tirelessly up front. Jones and Wood did well in midfield. Bardsley just edges it for me, from Cooper.
So that's 5 wins in a row in the league, back up above Everton again into 3rd place.
Next match vs. Sunderland away, Thursday 27th, 7pm KO.
FA Youth Cup at Nene Park, Rushden Tuesday 25th, 7:30 KO.
Friday, November 21, 2003
United - Carroll; Lynch, Bardsley, Tierney (capt), Pugh; Byrne, Jones, Wood, Richardson; Johnson; Cooper
Subs - Poole (for Byrne 66mins). Subs not used - B. Williams, M. Williams, Sims
Despite their perilous financial state Leeds managed to bring over a full 11 starters and a full complement of substitutes (whereas we clearly decided that 4 available subs would be plenty tonight). The famous five in the Leeds eleven were Wilcox, Domi, Lennon, Bridges and Chapuis.
Quite a heavy looking pitch at Alty, it cut up badly in the goalmouth where Roy Carroll had warmed up but was otherwise still looking in good nick with plenty of grass and no real signs of the mud that will become more prevalent in the coming couple of months.
The Leeds keeper, Scott Carson, demonstrated just how soft the ground was as he was on his arse after 2 out of his first 3 kicked clearances. Did it one more time in the second half just to entertain those behind the other goal too.
First opportunity fell to Cyril Chapuis on 5 minutes who was played through but in trying to lob the ball over the rapidly advancing Carroll only succeeded in lobbing over Roy, over the bar and over the stand ......... new ball please. This was the first of many scares down our right hand side tonight. One minute later United's first effort was a long range right footer from David Jones which sliced well wide.
An offside flag helped to prevent embarrassment as Carroll had to rush out of his area to challenge Bridges who was through. Roy got a bit of a block in but the ball fell to Lennon who attempted to lob the ball goalwards. Not sure if it was on target but the United defence was scrambling back to the goal with some purpose to intercept only for the referee to (finally) notice that the flag was up.
United were also caught offside a few times early on. Looked as though Eddie Johnson was sitting a bit deeper than Kenny Cooper up front leaving us with a 4-4-1-1 formation. Ajax have been doing it for years, in that all of their teams from the earliest of ages right through to the first team play exactly the same system. The reserves have been pretty exclusively 4-4-2 this season but tonight, first half anyway, we looked a little different with EJ playing just off the big American.
Our best move of the half came on 18 minutes. 3 great triangles worked down the left, with super slick 1-2's, before Kenny Cooper cut in and hit a shot from 25 yards that again sliced wide off of his right boot. The yellow shirted Yorkshiremen took the lead, on 25 minutes, a little bit fortuitously. A cross was hit in from their right that took a slight deflection off of Danny Pugh. The deviation sent the ball perfectly to Aaron Lennon who calmly controlled before hitting his shot into the bottom left corner of the goal from 12 yards. 0-1.
They could have doubled their lead a minute later when Chapuis again found himself 1 on 1 with Roy, who was, at least, forced to make a save this time. Leeds then contrived to give away a series of freekicks within shooting range which we contrived to largely waste. The best was a 25 yarder struck just wide by Neil Wood that Carson looked very pleased to see pass by the post.
On 33 minutes Simon Johnson, the Leeds 11, did well to make a bit of room for himself and struck a nice right footer that was curling towards the far post but Roy Carroll caught it at a comfortable height without too much drama. On the resulting counterattack David Jones picked the ball up in a tight spot just on halfway. He twisted and turned, this way and that, with a couple of Leeds boys snapping away at him but he worked a little bit of space and enough time to lay the ball off to Danny Byrne who hit a nice early cross from near the right touchline, angled towards the area, where Eddie Johnson rose and flicked his header goalwards. The ball looped up and Carson had to palm it over the bar as it had been destined for the net. No-one would expect to beat a keeper from 18 yards, with a header, but it was a great effort.
Two more good United efforts before half-time. Danny Byrne cut in from the right flank and hit a testing shot with his left that Carson had to push away for a corner. Neil Wood took the left footed, inswinging, corner which fell to Eddie Johnson just beyond the far post. His shot was on target, and beat Carson but hit a defender on the line.
Leeds then fashioned two more openings of their own to close the first half. A corner from their right fell to Domi who hit his shot well enough but found it to be too close to Carroll who gathered well in a crowded goal mouth. Cyril Chapuis then had another really good chance but rushed his shot and therefore missed the target when he ought to have doubled the lead.
Trailing 1-0 at half-time and we really couldn't complain too much about it. On balance Leeds created more, and better, opportunities and on another day could have been 2 or 3 up.
Spent the half-time interval trying to figure out the rules of the 'game' that our subs were playing. They were warming up on the pitch, nothing unusual there then but generally the sub keeper stands between the sticks and the others take pot-shots. Not tonight though, tonight it was a simple game of keepie-uppie with the 4 subs in a loose square formation. I think I worked out that after a certain number of successful passes, maybe 10 (?), whoever caused the chain to break, either with a crap pass or a miss-control got punished. The punishment was that the other three could each take a flick at the ear of the guilty one!
Second half started a bit slowly. First 10 minutes were a bit sterile with neither team making much happen. Kieran Richardson lit things up with a nice run from just inside his own half. Took the ball to the edge of the Leeds area at pace. First one defender tried to bring him down then a second fouled him right at the edge and the freekick was awarded and a yellow card offered to the 2nd tackler whose effort was deemed to have been the more deserving of the 2 attempted hacks. Danny Byrne hit the freekick, from near the right angle of the penalty area, but his right footed effort was dipping a bit too late to trouble Carson.
Just before the hour mark 2 more United chances went begging. Kieran Richardson was really unlucky when his volley, from a Mark Lynch cross, was blocked by Carson. A great save. Soon afterwards Eddie Johnson hit a right footer that was deflected just past the post. At this stage I admit to thinking that it was going to be one of those nights. We were certainly getting the better of them in the 2nd period but would the goal ever come? Carson seemed to be getting in the way of everything and Domi and McStay, their centrebacks, were both dealing well with Cooper and Johnson, who were now both pushing on to the Leeds back line.
Coming up to three quarters through the match and Eddie Johnson had 2 more opportunities. The first created superbly by Danny Pugh who dinked a great cross back towards the penalty spot where EJ met it with a right footed volley well wide. EJ then created another chance for himself and again dragged his shot off target, this time wide of the near post.
Ricky Sbragia made our first, and only, substitution at this point. Danny Byrne making way for David Poole. A straight swap with Poole on the right wing. He soon made an impact, he'd been on less than 10 minutes when the equaliser finally arrived and he was right at the centre of it. Kenny Cooper and Poole linked out on the right wing, Poolie then laid it back to Mark Lynch who passed inside to Kieran Richardson who found Poole, now just inside the area, the sub played a great ball on to Kenny Cooper who was now only 6 or 7 yards out but wide of goal. The Dallas boy did supremely well to cut inside of an attempted block leaving himself with just Carson to beat which he did with some grace. 1-1 and much relief around the ground and plenty of delight on the pitch as the boys celebrated a richly deserved, and very well worked, goal.
The winner came with a bit less than 10 minutes to go. Richardson had just terminated another promising United move with a woeful final pass but he kept plugging away and created the final goal for Neil Wood. Kieran went on another run after picking up the pieces in central midfield and slotted a perfectly weighted pass for Wood to run onto and to shoot with his less favoured right foot from just around the edge of the area comfortably past Carson. 2-1.
One major scare in the final minutes when Mark Lynch tried to shepherd the ball out of play on the right touchline but got robbed by the Leeds substitute, Chris Armstrong, and dumped on his arse for his troubles. Armstrong took the ball to the by-line but happily his cutback was wasted by the forward who hit his shot wide of the near post.
On balance I think we just about deserved the victory based on the number of chances we created, second half particularly. Were I a Leeds fan - no way, no how - I might make a case that, based on their first half, they could have hoped for a point overall. But then Leeds did steal an undeserved equaliser in injury time in the home game earlier this season so maybe this was justice.
Tough to choose a man of the match tonight. Phil Bardsley was excellent in central defence and both EJ and Cooper worked tirelessly up front. Jones and Wood did well in midfield. Bardsley just edges it for me, from Cooper.
So that's 5 wins in a row in the league, back up above Everton again into 3rd place.
Next match vs. Sunderland away, Thursday 27th, 7pm KO.
FA Youth Cup at Nene Park, Rushden Tuesday 25th, 7:30 KO.
United start their defence of the FA youth cup tonight with a visit to Rushden and Diamonds. &pm kick-off and the match is live on MUTV.
I have recently moved and no longer have Sky, so can someone else let us have a match report if they can.
I have recently moved and no longer have Sky, so can someone else let us have a match report if they can.
They won 1-2
United youngsters basically dominated the game with 21 attempts at goal to R & D's 6 attempts.
However, United fell behind after about 11 minutes when Tom Heaton parried a header from a corner into the path of a Rushden player.
United were then frustrated numerous times by the oppositions Keeper as he made save after save which looked like was going to win the game for R & D. United finally made the breakthrough from a corner after about 78 minutes. Corner from the left and a semi-diving bullet header from United's number 4 (name? dunno)
Ramon Calliste broke away 4 minutes later and finished very well to win us the game. This strike went some way to make up for several bad strikes and misses by the welsh youngster prior to his goal.
Glad we got through. We were the best team by about 6 miles, but credit to Rushden's young players for making us work very hard for the win.
Apologies for the sparseness of this report in details, but it was the first time I'd seen some of the players on show last night.
Chris Eagles played, and looked superb in patches, but also was a bit greedy at times.
He's too good for this level, and he knows it, which might not be the best thing from a team point of view.
However, United fell behind after about 11 minutes when Tom Heaton parried a header from a corner into the path of a Rushden player.
United were then frustrated numerous times by the oppositions Keeper as he made save after save which looked like was going to win the game for R & D. United finally made the breakthrough from a corner after about 78 minutes. Corner from the left and a semi-diving bullet header from United's number 4 (name? dunno)
Ramon Calliste broke away 4 minutes later and finished very well to win us the game. This strike went some way to make up for several bad strikes and misses by the welsh youngster prior to his goal.
Glad we got through. We were the best team by about 6 miles, but credit to Rushden's young players for making us work very hard for the win.
Apologies for the sparseness of this report in details, but it was the first time I'd seen some of the players on show last night.
Chris Eagles played, and looked superb in patches, but also was a bit greedy at times.
He's too good for this level, and he knows it, which might not be the best thing from a team point of view.
Centre back Mark Howard got the first, according to manutd.com.
match report from red news
United - Heaton; Hogg, Howard, McShane (capt), Spector; Picken, Ngalula, Eagles, Eckersley; Blake, Calliste
Subs - Marsh (for Spector 74 mins)
Subs not used - Jones, Crockett, Flanagan, Simpson
Not my first time to the Nene Stadium but I've rarely seen it as full as it was tonight. The official attendance was 5,214 which Rushden & Diamonds have only bettered once all season in the 2nd division, that being on Bank Holiday Monday in August. The ground capacity is 6,600 or so but that had been compromised by the erection of Paddy's commentary box in the corner of the covered terrace at west end of the ground. Apparently United/MUTV were a bit slow off of the mark in arranging that this match would be broadcast. By the time that they had confirmed this the home side had already sold a huge number of tickets and there was no way that the commentary box could be accommodated near halfway. So banished to the corner of the Peter De Banke terrace they were.
I had opted for a seat in the Air Wair Stand, DM's were not mandatory but my near neighbour, an attractive young lady as it happens, was wearing a customised pair in a fetching silver with multi-coloured paint splashes on them. Always used to be blood red in my day!! Enough of the fashion show, how about the football I hear you say.
Was pleased to see the young American Jonathan Spector getting his first competitive start after much hassle with FIFA red tape. Looking at the squad list there is still plenty to come with 2 highly acclaimed young boys not included tonight, these being the German Markus Neumayr and the Finn Jami Puustinen. Both of these boys have been getting rave reviews for their performances in Academy games.
The first half was one of the most one-sided I have seen for a very long time. United started very brightly and just oozed class and quality. The Rushden boys were physically a bit smaller but were clearly 'up for it.' In the first 8 minutes we had at least 6 attempts on goal. To contrast this in the first 45 minutes Diamonds managed 3 goal attempts. The first and second of these came in quick succession on 9 minutes. Spector did well to marshal a R&D attacker to the corner flag but then had to concede the game's first corner.
The corner was well directed, from the Rushden right side, to the far post where an attacker rose unmarked about 6 yards from goal. His header was well stopped by Tom Heaton, diving to his left, but as the rebound fell to ground there were 2 more unmarked R&D boys there, the number 9, Manangu, stabbed home from 5 yards. Oops, 1-0.
The opening goal made little difference to the balance of the match. The United boys continued to dominate possession and territory. Most of the play at the other end so it was difficult for me to be certain how close we came to getting the equaliser. I do know that the home keeper, Karl Daniels, was having a great game. He is a Welsh U-17 international and looked very handy indeed on this performance, a certainty for Rushden's man of the match.
Most of our best opportunities were faling to Ramon Calliste, another young Welshman. He and Sylvan Blake were making up the classic strike pairing, Blake being the strong presence holding the ball up and winning flick-ons whilst Calliste is a speedster who is happiest with the ball at his feet or in chasing through balls. Calliste must have enjoyed 4 or 5 one on ones with the Rushden keeper during the 90 minutes but the keeper was winning that duel hands down. Floribert Ngalula was threading incisive balls through for Calliste to run on to but somehow Daniels was repelling everything.
Chris Eagles was confidence personified, at one point in the second half, at 2-1 up he held the ball on the left flank and just took the piss. Man against boys as he teased the R&D boys into lunging for a seemingly untouchable (for them anyway) ball. After a good 30 seconds of twists and turns one of the home boys did as he was being implored by many in the stands and f&%king kicked him! That wasted another bit of time.
Our best chance of the first period came just after the half hour. Another terrific ball from Ngalula (can't believe he's still only 16, giant!) from right side around halfway. The target was Blake who rose in line with the left post about 12 yards out but failed to get enough on the header and it skidded wide. On 45 minutes Spector came quite close heading a Chris Eagles corner just over the bar and onto the roof of the net with the keeper, for once, struggling.
1-0 at halftime. Travesty. My confidence still high that they would cash in their domination in the 2nd period and turn possession into goals.
Second half started just as the first had been for the most part. We were dominating possession but not managing to get past the inspired home keeper. Adam Eckersley was the next to be defied in a one on one situation. Then Calliste again. Calliste again. Those three chances all in the first 3 minutes of the half.
Phil Picken started to venture further forwards and shot high and wide. Soon after he played in Ecks who was angling his run from the left flank towards the area. He hit a powerful side footed cross first time that just evaded Blake and the far post. Some frustration was evident at this point, around an hour gone now. Some of the boys were clearly worrying, as was I now, that it might be one of those nights. A few harsh words from some to others when passes didn't go to feet or when shots were wasted.
The standard of our shooting was appalling. Hopefully Choccy has them all in for extra shooting practise in training. The number of opportunities that were hit high and wide was disturbing. Eagles, Ngalula, Calliste, Eckersley, Picken and Blake all guilty of failing to work the keeper when in good shooting positions. Tonight it wasn't, ultimately, costly but in later rounds we can expect chances to be fewer and will need to do better.
Choccy decided to throw on another forward, Phil Marsh, and Spector was withdrawn on 74 minutes. Then Steve Hogg joined the hall of shame by hitting a shot just wide of the post.
Daniels made his best save of the night on 77 minutes when Eagles hit a firm low cross from the left which was met at the far post by 2 defenders and Blake all sliding into the 6 yard box. The ball popped up and was goal bound. Daniels, now scrambling from his near post towards the far plucks this out of the air, right on the line. Huge slice of luck but credit the boy for being in the right place at the right time.
The first Rushden shot of the second half came on 78 minutes. It was well wide and did not trouble Tom Heaton. He had hardly made a save all night. He had caught two or three crosses but otherwise was unemployed on the whole.
United corner on the left. Eagles takes it and Mark Howard strides forward to head a well deserved equaliser from 6 or 7 yards. 1-1. 79 minutes of almost relentless pressure finally rewarded. Rushden tried to respond, a wicked inswinging corner from their right was tapped over the bar by Heaton to concede a corner from the Rushden left which was dealt with by the United back line.
The winner came on 82 minutes and finally a Calliste vs. Daniels encounter went our way. I think it was Eagles who slotted the through ball for Calliste to run on to. Ramon picked it up outside of the area on the left and angled his run in towards goal. As Daniels came to narrow the angle Calliste opened his body shape (sorry to say this but it was just like Thierry Henry always does when he cuts in from the left one on one with a keeper) before side-footing into the bottom right corner of the net. 1-2 at last.
Rushden never really threatened thereafter. We had time to miss the target with 2 more shots before the referee blew his whistle sending the holders into the draw for the 4th round.
Chris Eagles was the best player on the pitch, I'm glad that he didn't make the trip to Panathingy to sit on the bench as he was clearly needed here tonight. A very nervous start to the defence of the trophy but it is now behind them so they can relax and look forward to coming battles.
United - Heaton; Hogg, Howard, McShane (capt), Spector; Picken, Ngalula, Eagles, Eckersley; Blake, Calliste
Subs - Marsh (for Spector 74 mins)
Subs not used - Jones, Crockett, Flanagan, Simpson
Not my first time to the Nene Stadium but I've rarely seen it as full as it was tonight. The official attendance was 5,214 which Rushden & Diamonds have only bettered once all season in the 2nd division, that being on Bank Holiday Monday in August. The ground capacity is 6,600 or so but that had been compromised by the erection of Paddy's commentary box in the corner of the covered terrace at west end of the ground. Apparently United/MUTV were a bit slow off of the mark in arranging that this match would be broadcast. By the time that they had confirmed this the home side had already sold a huge number of tickets and there was no way that the commentary box could be accommodated near halfway. So banished to the corner of the Peter De Banke terrace they were.
I had opted for a seat in the Air Wair Stand, DM's were not mandatory but my near neighbour, an attractive young lady as it happens, was wearing a customised pair in a fetching silver with multi-coloured paint splashes on them. Always used to be blood red in my day!! Enough of the fashion show, how about the football I hear you say.
Was pleased to see the young American Jonathan Spector getting his first competitive start after much hassle with FIFA red tape. Looking at the squad list there is still plenty to come with 2 highly acclaimed young boys not included tonight, these being the German Markus Neumayr and the Finn Jami Puustinen. Both of these boys have been getting rave reviews for their performances in Academy games.
The first half was one of the most one-sided I have seen for a very long time. United started very brightly and just oozed class and quality. The Rushden boys were physically a bit smaller but were clearly 'up for it.' In the first 8 minutes we had at least 6 attempts on goal. To contrast this in the first 45 minutes Diamonds managed 3 goal attempts. The first and second of these came in quick succession on 9 minutes. Spector did well to marshal a R&D attacker to the corner flag but then had to concede the game's first corner.
The corner was well directed, from the Rushden right side, to the far post where an attacker rose unmarked about 6 yards from goal. His header was well stopped by Tom Heaton, diving to his left, but as the rebound fell to ground there were 2 more unmarked R&D boys there, the number 9, Manangu, stabbed home from 5 yards. Oops, 1-0.
The opening goal made little difference to the balance of the match. The United boys continued to dominate possession and territory. Most of the play at the other end so it was difficult for me to be certain how close we came to getting the equaliser. I do know that the home keeper, Karl Daniels, was having a great game. He is a Welsh U-17 international and looked very handy indeed on this performance, a certainty for Rushden's man of the match.
Most of our best opportunities were faling to Ramon Calliste, another young Welshman. He and Sylvan Blake were making up the classic strike pairing, Blake being the strong presence holding the ball up and winning flick-ons whilst Calliste is a speedster who is happiest with the ball at his feet or in chasing through balls. Calliste must have enjoyed 4 or 5 one on ones with the Rushden keeper during the 90 minutes but the keeper was winning that duel hands down. Floribert Ngalula was threading incisive balls through for Calliste to run on to but somehow Daniels was repelling everything.
Chris Eagles was confidence personified, at one point in the second half, at 2-1 up he held the ball on the left flank and just took the piss. Man against boys as he teased the R&D boys into lunging for a seemingly untouchable (for them anyway) ball. After a good 30 seconds of twists and turns one of the home boys did as he was being implored by many in the stands and f&%king kicked him! That wasted another bit of time.
Our best chance of the first period came just after the half hour. Another terrific ball from Ngalula (can't believe he's still only 16, giant!) from right side around halfway. The target was Blake who rose in line with the left post about 12 yards out but failed to get enough on the header and it skidded wide. On 45 minutes Spector came quite close heading a Chris Eagles corner just over the bar and onto the roof of the net with the keeper, for once, struggling.
1-0 at halftime. Travesty. My confidence still high that they would cash in their domination in the 2nd period and turn possession into goals.
Second half started just as the first had been for the most part. We were dominating possession but not managing to get past the inspired home keeper. Adam Eckersley was the next to be defied in a one on one situation. Then Calliste again. Calliste again. Those three chances all in the first 3 minutes of the half.
Phil Picken started to venture further forwards and shot high and wide. Soon after he played in Ecks who was angling his run from the left flank towards the area. He hit a powerful side footed cross first time that just evaded Blake and the far post. Some frustration was evident at this point, around an hour gone now. Some of the boys were clearly worrying, as was I now, that it might be one of those nights. A few harsh words from some to others when passes didn't go to feet or when shots were wasted.
The standard of our shooting was appalling. Hopefully Choccy has them all in for extra shooting practise in training. The number of opportunities that were hit high and wide was disturbing. Eagles, Ngalula, Calliste, Eckersley, Picken and Blake all guilty of failing to work the keeper when in good shooting positions. Tonight it wasn't, ultimately, costly but in later rounds we can expect chances to be fewer and will need to do better.
Choccy decided to throw on another forward, Phil Marsh, and Spector was withdrawn on 74 minutes. Then Steve Hogg joined the hall of shame by hitting a shot just wide of the post.
Daniels made his best save of the night on 77 minutes when Eagles hit a firm low cross from the left which was met at the far post by 2 defenders and Blake all sliding into the 6 yard box. The ball popped up and was goal bound. Daniels, now scrambling from his near post towards the far plucks this out of the air, right on the line. Huge slice of luck but credit the boy for being in the right place at the right time.
The first Rushden shot of the second half came on 78 minutes. It was well wide and did not trouble Tom Heaton. He had hardly made a save all night. He had caught two or three crosses but otherwise was unemployed on the whole.
United corner on the left. Eagles takes it and Mark Howard strides forward to head a well deserved equaliser from 6 or 7 yards. 1-1. 79 minutes of almost relentless pressure finally rewarded. Rushden tried to respond, a wicked inswinging corner from their right was tapped over the bar by Heaton to concede a corner from the Rushden left which was dealt with by the United back line.
The winner came on 82 minutes and finally a Calliste vs. Daniels encounter went our way. I think it was Eagles who slotted the through ball for Calliste to run on to. Ramon picked it up outside of the area on the left and angled his run in towards goal. As Daniels came to narrow the angle Calliste opened his body shape (sorry to say this but it was just like Thierry Henry always does when he cuts in from the left one on one with a keeper) before side-footing into the bottom right corner of the net. 1-2 at last.
Rushden never really threatened thereafter. We had time to miss the target with 2 more shots before the referee blew his whistle sending the holders into the draw for the 4th round.
Chris Eagles was the best player on the pitch, I'm glad that he didn't make the trip to Panathingy to sit on the bench as he was clearly needed here tonight. A very nervous start to the defence of the trophy but it is now behind them so they can relax and look forward to coming battles.
The reserves appearently lost 5-3 to Sunderland.
David Poole got 2 , and Richardson the other.
David Poole got 2 , and Richardson the other.
Nico said:
wat was the team lineup?
According to this link on premierleague.com, Jonothan Spector has been given a squad number. Number 40, to be exact. It's on the official site's team list, also.
Has anyone seen him play yet, if so, how does he look?
Has anyone seen him play yet, if so, how does he look?
American40 said:
I saw him playing for the youth team in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Rushden & Diamonds. In fact if you scroll up a few posts on this thread you can read the match report that I did for www.rednews.co.uk that Keilyn27 "kindly"
copied in it's entirety here .He was ok but it wasn't really an occasion to judge a United defensive player on. The match was terribly one-sided in our favour, so much so that Spector was subbed off to make way for an extra attacker as we sought the goals to come back from a shock Rushden early strike.
I'll try to keep the board updated as and when I see more of him. I expect to see him next Wednesday night as United play at Bristol City in an under 21 friendly match.
feck said:In fact if you scroll up a few posts on this thread you can read the match report that I did for www.rednews.co.uk that Keilyn27 "kindly"
since u seem rather sensitive, should i put your name in there next time?
did say it was from red news... can u post a report here as well next time
TWO second-half goals helped United claim a measure of revenge for the previous night's Carling Cup defeat at The Hawthorns.
The Reds were unlucky not to be in front at the break after good attempts from Neil Wood, Daniel Nardiello and Chris Eagles.
They eventually took the lead in the 59th minute when good work by Nardiello was crowned by a cracking finish from Matthew Williams.
The points were sealed 15 minutes later when David Jones' unquestionable determination carried him through to slip the ball past Matthew Jones, the Albion keeper.
Five of last night's squad at Moss Lane - Jones, Eagles, Wood, Nardiello and Ben Williams - were also involved in the Carling Cup tie against Albion 24 hours earlier.
UNITED: Jowsey, Sims (Picken, 71), Eckersley, Howard, Spector, Wood, Eagles, Jones, Cooper (Poole, 80), Nardiello, M Williams.
Subs not used: B Williams, Ebanks-Blake, Calliste.
Good to see Spector getting a game. Good result with such a young and inexperienced team.
The Reds were unlucky not to be in front at the break after good attempts from Neil Wood, Daniel Nardiello and Chris Eagles.
They eventually took the lead in the 59th minute when good work by Nardiello was crowned by a cracking finish from Matthew Williams.
The points were sealed 15 minutes later when David Jones' unquestionable determination carried him through to slip the ball past Matthew Jones, the Albion keeper.
Five of last night's squad at Moss Lane - Jones, Eagles, Wood, Nardiello and Ben Williams - were also involved in the Carling Cup tie against Albion 24 hours earlier.
UNITED: Jowsey, Sims (Picken, 71), Eckersley, Howard, Spector, Wood, Eagles, Jones, Cooper (Poole, 80), Nardiello, M Williams.
Subs not used: B Williams, Ebanks-Blake, Calliste.
Good to see Spector getting a game. Good result with such a young and inexperienced team.
Report from "This is South Devon", Herald Express Sport.
YOUNG ACE STARS FOR FERGUSON
BY PAUL JAMES
11:00 - 13 December 2003
Manchester United youth player Michael Nardiello is knocking in the goals left, right and centre for Alex Ferguson.
The teenage wonderboy from Torquay has made dramatic improvements in his game and his academic performance since being taken under the wing of the Red Devils just a few months ago. The 14-year-old, whose parents Anita and Gerry live in the Shiphay area, has already scored 10 goals in just 14 games for United's under15/16s side.
Proud dad Gerry, a former Torquay United player and England junior cap, is delighted with his lad's progress. "He's settled in very well. He's training regularly and frequently sees the first team players coming and going," said Gerry who this weekend was bringing Michael home for Christmas from Manchester.
He will take the opportunity of the trip north to catch United playing Manchester City in the local derby.
One of his recent tasks has been getting Michael's passport in order in readiness for a team trip to Kenya in February. "He's grown up very quickly in Manchester - but he's still our little boy. We are looking forward to having him back until he returns in the New Year," said Gerry.
He was particularly pleased that Michael was coping well with his schooling.
He was due to return to St Cuthbert Mayne in the autumn when he received his sudden call-up to the legendary club.
"I thing he is being stimulated academically. He's enjoying it," said Gerry, who revealed that on Thursdays his lad is coached by United captain Roy Keane.
Is this Daniel Nardiello's brother?
YOUNG ACE STARS FOR FERGUSON
BY PAUL JAMES
11:00 - 13 December 2003
Manchester United youth player Michael Nardiello is knocking in the goals left, right and centre for Alex Ferguson.
The teenage wonderboy from Torquay has made dramatic improvements in his game and his academic performance since being taken under the wing of the Red Devils just a few months ago. The 14-year-old, whose parents Anita and Gerry live in the Shiphay area, has already scored 10 goals in just 14 games for United's under15/16s side.
Proud dad Gerry, a former Torquay United player and England junior cap, is delighted with his lad's progress. "He's settled in very well. He's training regularly and frequently sees the first team players coming and going," said Gerry who this weekend was bringing Michael home for Christmas from Manchester.
He will take the opportunity of the trip north to catch United playing Manchester City in the local derby.
One of his recent tasks has been getting Michael's passport in order in readiness for a team trip to Kenya in February. "He's grown up very quickly in Manchester - but he's still our little boy. We are looking forward to having him back until he returns in the New Year," said Gerry.
He was particularly pleased that Michael was coping well with his schooling.
He was due to return to St Cuthbert Mayne in the autumn when he received his sudden call-up to the legendary club.
"I thing he is being stimulated academically. He's enjoying it," said Gerry, who revealed that on Thursdays his lad is coached by United captain Roy Keane.
Is this Daniel Nardiello's brother?
OldRed1 said:
I don't think so, Daniel Nardiello is from Coventry, this kid is from Torquay.
and nardiellos dad cant remember his name but its not gerry. I think daniel nardiellos dad played for coventry a winger i think