Forum | Pity the U's youngsters can't play at Gander Green Lane tonight! by durham_exile

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Pity the U's youngsters can't play at Gander Green Lane tonight! 13:58 - Jan 18 with 1758 views

I was privileged to attend the FA Youth Cup 4th Round Match at St James’s Park Newcastle last evening. Privileged because I watched a young team who matched their more illustrious counterparts all the way and but for some unfortunate missed opportunities would have forced extra time.

Originally the match was to be played at Newcastle’s training ground, but the switch was an inspired idea and both teams produced a spectacle worthy of the 55,000-seater stadium.

This was my first match at St James’ Park since 1970 when I watched an FA Amateur Cup Semi Final between Enfield and Blyth Spartans (which Enfield won 2-0 in front of 18,000). Last night there were only 1,279 and a handful of the faithful, but we were all treated to great entertainment.

It was a dry cold night, ideal for football.

Parking was a cinch. I parked at the Stadium Car park about 50 yards from the ground. I paid £2.40 but I reckon that payment was probably unnecessary after 6pm but admission to the stadium was only £1. This was all overshadowed by an £8.50 Cheeseburger and Coffee. In fairness the burger was quite good and the coffee decent.

I went to the Platinum Entrance to enquire about which part of the ground was open and was told that the East Stand was open and that there was no segregation. I picked up a Team Sheet though. In fairness the Toon were fairly accommodating and the Chief Steward assured me that they would intervene if I suffered any abuse. I was of course wearing my Blue and White stripes as were the players!

I was also able to move from one end of the ground to the other to ensure I saw all the U’s attacking intent in both halves. The floodlights must be some of the brightest at any stadium and it was like daylight as the players walked out onto the immaculate playing surface. I must say that I do sympathise with Away fans for league games because they are forced to sit in the Gods and I was pleased that I didn’t have to don my crampons and instead enjoyed the view from base camp.

Colchester are managed by Liam Bailey and they lined up with only one familiar face to me.

Endurance Johnson

Ellis Sullivan, Bradley Chakawa, Frankie Terry, Freddie Price

Jaden Drakes-Thomas, Ryan Lowe, Kacy Parish

Kai Redgrave, Kaan Bennett

Samson Tovide

Subs:
Namory Kane, Bayan Aman, Bradley Ihionvien, Matt Yates, Darnell Asare-Williams, T’aizo Marcel-Delaver, Jaime Tedaldi

Samson Tovide may only have a handful of minutes and games under his belt for the first team, but he was assured and positive last night and should have scored a hattrick.

Newcastle led by Pater Ramage sported their talisman Jay Turner-Cooke who was formerly a Sunderland hero but when they sacked his father both father and son made the move to the Toon from the Mackems.

As you would imagine Newcastle settled quickly and took the game to Colchester. The pace was unrelenting early on and both sides looked to stamp their authority on the game.

Newcastle took the lead on 12 minutes after a bit of pinball in the Colchester box led to the ball going in unluckily off Chakawa. However, we were not dismayed and played some very good fast open flowing football. Captain Ryan Lowe is set to be a star of the future. Tall and confident on the ball he often broke up attacks and created space for our forward-looking players.

Freddie Price left back is rapid and looks like Jack Grealish in that he wears his socks around his ankles and has mini shin pads. He was keen to get forward and delivered some decent crosses.

Chakawa at Centre back was uncertain early on and was booked after a robust challenge but soon settled down to the match. Samson Tovide had a great header well saved by Max Thompson in the Newcastle goal. Samson then scored with a sublime header only to have it chalked off for offside.

A pattern of the game were the number of injuries to Newcastle players. The trainer was employed 8 times during the game and they had to make three substitutes for injuries including one player stretchered off.

The referee Mr Westgate handled things with aplomb and kept the game flowing where he could. Regrading stoppages there was 4 minutes added on at half time and 13 minutes at the end of the game but more of that to come.

Right-on half-time Frankie Terry should have equalised when played through and on his favoured left foot, but he put the ball wide of the right-hand post.

I moved to the Gallowgate end of the ground for the second half where Colchester were attacking.

The first few minutes were like the last of the first half Colchester pressing for that elusive equaliser but then Newcastle secured a second goal and shortly afterwards when attempting to play out from the back we gave the ball away and it was suddenly three NIL.

Cue a Colchester come back. Bradley Ihionvien and T’aizo Marcel-Delaver entered the fray and we looked sharper and more fluid. The Newcastle trainer was still making regular forays onto the pitch to attend to stricken players but from a sweeping move the ball was crossed from the left and Tovide struck to give us some hope on 75 minutes. Newcastle started to retreat and there were plenty of hoofed clearances which came back with interest from the U’s.

As the clock wound down it was obvious that there would be a generous amount of time mainly for Newcastle injuries a stretchered off player and some time wasting from Thompson in goal.

Incidentally the Colchester physio was only need once and that for cramp to Price.

The board indicated 11 minutes, but another injury meant that we played 13 minutes. When Marcel-Delaver bundled the ball into the net on 92 minutes confidence coursed through the players veins and Newcastle grew more desperate. Clearances were hurried there were two or three instances of hand bags and the crowd grew restless.
In truth we should have equalised, but it wasn’t to be.

So, 3-2 and the players were not disgraced. They are the future of the club and the following should all get their opportunity in the first team when the time arises; Freddie Price, Ryan Lowe, Frankie Terry, Bradley Ihionvien, T’aizo Marcel-Delaver plus of course Samson Tovide who will only get stronger.

So much for the young heroes, what are we going to do with the first team?

Frankly the Barrow game must be rock bottom as far as performances are concerned. Surely!!!

Tonight, we travel once again to Gander Green Lane to do battle with this season’s surprise package Sutton United.

Now HM must be drinking at the last chance saloon. Additional players have been brought in, but performances and results are not improving. RC’s statements are becoming more and more desperate and the faithful are restless. Only Scunny and Oldham are worse than Colchester and the league table doesn’t lie.

We simply have to start getting points and scoring goals.

Table:
Stevenage 25 -18 24
COL U 23 -15 22
Scunny 25 -25 19
Oldham 24 -17 18

After Saturday I have officially given up on the madness to believe that we could make the top seven. That has now gone and instead it is all about finishing in the top half of the table. Fact.

Half way through the season and we are struggling with an incompetent manager, clueless Directors and an ailing Chairman. Things are grim indeed. In fact, it makes it all the more galling when I see the future in those Academy players and wonder if they will ply their trade in the league or non-league. We have a decent stadium, training facilities, but are becoming a laughing stock.

On Saturday I am heading to Salford for a vital match but in truth they are all vital now. 23 games to save the club (again).

Does HM know his strongest team notwithstanding the fact that the additional players are still finding their feet. We are struggling again with another manager who has added nothing to the team, performances, or results.

Do we play three or five at the back, do we play only two holding midfielders, do we play two up front and do we play with width and a winger or two. Can we get the best out of the players?

I don’t think the five at the back works, let’s try 4,3,3 and see whether we can inspire a victory against Sutton United.

Turner

Tchamadeu Eastman Chambers Dallison

Skuse Chilvers Wiredu

Sears Andrews Edwards

Subs
Gerken Huws Daniels Coxe Hannant Eastman Judge

I’m not saying it is the answer, but we’ve brought in players so let’s play them and see what happens. Clearly defensive formations are not stopping the rot so take the game to the opposition. The youngsters played without fear, perhaps we can instil the first team to do the same.

A cold night at Sutton 3 degrees Celsius and cloudy but no rain.

The faithful will be there, perhaps not in force, but the diehards will turn out.

I think that we will prevail 2-1 in a close game, but the confidence that will come from such a win will stand us in good stead for the journey to Salford on Saturday.

Oh and I can’t even watch the game on iFollow because Sutton have decide not to screen the game. Still that might be a blessing in disguise!

Safe journey.

Enjoy the game.

Up the U’s

[Post edited 5 Feb 2022 10:33]

Durham_exile

Pity the U's youngsters can't play at Gander Green Lane tonight! on 14:20 - Jan 18 with 993 views

noah4x4

Great write up Durham. A number of us wanted to join you, but not sufficient to justify a CUSA Bus. However, we are heading for Sutton in around an hour.

I regularly used to watch the U18s until covid stopped us going to Tiptree. Sadly, an awful lot of that apparent talent has never made our First XI. It is as though only the odd one can make that extra step.

It has certainly not been the prolific pipeline that it was supposed to be, and the fact that we then went to the opposite extreme recruiting Dads Army from Ipswich suggests that too. What did strike me yesterday was the fact that John Joe O'Toole has just signed a new contract with Mansfield and is merely 33. Count how many we have older than that!

Pity the U's youngsters can't play at Gander Green Lane tonight! on 14:29 - Jan 18 with 991 views