THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION COUNTY YOUTH CUP
QUARTER FINAL
SATURDAY 30th JANUARY 2010, 2 PM Kick Off Keepmoat 2, Home of Doncaster Rovers
Match Report by Allan Clough
Sheffield & Hallamshire FA U18s representative team find themselves on the best FA Youth County Cup run for many years, reaching the semi final after a convincing win against local rivals West Riding FA.
Sheffield & Hallamshire FA started the match playing the usual attacking football which has brought them success in the previous rounds. After only 2 minutes play a 25 yard shot from Sheffield & Hallamshire’s, Aspinall crashed against the cross bar with the West Riding defence managing to scramble the ball away.
This positive start paid off for Sheffield who took the lead after 5 minutes from a Grey corner on the left which reached the near post, allowing Barnsley to make contact and poke the ball into the net from close range.
West Riding chased the game after this opening goal and in attempt to get themselves back into the game created a few goal scoring opportunities themselves, but the Sheffield & Hallamshire defence held firm.
Stewart –Jones had the chance to increase the home sides lead just before half-time when he cut inside the penalty area only for his shot to go wide of the far post with the West Riding goalkeeper stranded. This proved to be the last action of the first half and Sheffield & Hallamshire FA went in at half-time with a comfortable 1-0 lead.
Sheffield & Hallamshire came out after the break continuing where they left off in the first half playing attacking football. On 62 minutes Sheffield & Hallamshire increased the lead from another set piece when Grey floated a corner kick over from the left which was flicked on by Barnsley for Stewart – Jones to head home at the far post.
West Riding had a chance on 75 minutes to reduce the lead when Hanley - Heeley raced down the left only to shoot wide as Sheffield & Hallamshire keeper Ball came out.
This was shortly followed with Simon heading the ball over the bar from close range for Sheffield as they continued to press to increase the lead. An excellent all round performance and two goals from the home representative side earned them a much deserved place in the Semi Finals where have been drawn against Lancashire FA.
The FA County Youth Cup fixtures come thick and fast with the Semi Final against Lancashire FA due to be played this Saturday (6th February 2010) at Hillsborough, Home of Sheffield Wednesday – 2PM Kick Off, Admission - £2. Come down and support our young stars of tomorrow.
Sheffield & Hallamshire FA squad
Jake BALL Chesterfield College
Jake SIMON Wombwell Main
Josh ROWLEY Wombwell Main
Craig ASPINALL Askern Villa
Ashley GRAY Sheffield FC
Nick GALLOWAY Sheffield FC
Sam BARNSLEY Sheffield FC
Delano STEWART-JONES Sheffield FC
Michael CUCKSON Wickersley Youth
Michael CARR Handsworth FC
Lewis CARR Handsworth FC
Kier HANNITY Stocksbridge Park Steels
Stephen ATKINSON Matlock Town
Jake CURRY Handsworth
Tod WARBURTON Sheffield FC
Matt DOLAN Athersley Recreation