Champions
CHAMPIONS
Saints' Under 19s picked up the silverware their season deserved tonight as they beat Sheffield United 2-0 at Bramall Lane to wrap up a 5-1 aggregate victory in the final of the Academy league play-offs.
Two goals from Leon Best either side of half-time sealed a season to be proud of for Saints’ young stars as Stewart Henderson’s side crowned themselves the best under 19s team in the country.
The game had started slightly nervously for Saints who were protecting a 3-1 lead from the first leg at the Friends Provident St Mary’s Stadium but just before the half hour mark a bolt from the blue put their minds at ease.
Picking the ball up 30 yards from goal there did not seem to be much on for Best but having taken a touch to set himself the 17 year old unleashed a fiercely struck shot into the bottom right hand corner of Lindley’s goal that left the Blades’ ‘keeper a virtual spectator.
And although United did enjoy chances after that with Poke making some excellent stops to deny Colin Marrison and Billy Sharp in the second half, Saints never looked like letting their hosts back into it.
To the very end they played with the determination that has fuelled their whole campaign and on the hour mark this approach brought its rewards.
It was Best again who chased down what appeared to be a hopeless cause as the ball ran back to Lindley. But as the Blades’ ‘keeper tried to clear Saints' goalscorer managed to get a foot up to block and although it may have been a fortunate deflection that carried the ball into the net, their victory was anything but.
With just one defeat in 29 matches this season their record towers above all others and with this the last ever under 19s final they have earned their place in the history books.
Teams:
Sheffield United: Tom Lindley, Dominic Roma, Evan Horwood, Adrian Harper (capt), Simon Francis, Chris Robertson, Jake Speight (Nicky Travis 69), Ian Ross, Colin Marrison (Daniel Platel 82), Billy Sharp, Jonathon Forte.
Subs: Rory Beanes, Danny Haystead, Ryan Gyaki, .
Saints: Michael Poke, Eddie Anaclet, Kyle Critchell, Stuart Anderson, Matthew Mills, Martin Cranie, Jermaine Roche, Dexter Blackstock, Leon Best (Theo Walcott 90), Simon Gillett (capt), Andrew Surman (Sebastian Wallis-Tayler 82).
Subs: Andrew McNeil, Chris MacDonald, Craig Richards.
::leedswac ::leedswac ::leedswac ::leedswac ::leedswac ::leedswac
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M.B.E for MLT
MLT for an M.B.E ..
MATT LE TISSIER is GOD
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