T&T U-20s defeat Sheffield United XI 2-1

Wednesday, 26 August 2009 19:42 sufc.co.uk

A Blades XI suffered a narrow defeat in Wednesday night's prestigious and entertaining friendly encounter with Trinidad and Tobago's U20s.

CONACAF president and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner was the guest of honour at the encounter and was presented to the teams before kick-off. The Blades included senior players Haber, France, Reid and Hendrie, as well as French triallist Carole.

The rain fell at Bramall Lane at kick-off but had subsided by the time the first goalscoring opportunity arose on 15 minutes. T&T's de Silva chipped over Haber but youngster Maguire raced back to hook off the line.

The visitors, though, were ahead three minutes later when Bentick whipped in a free-kick from the right and PRIMUS stole in ahead of Haber to glance into the unguarded goal.

United were behind just a matter of moments, levelling from a set-piece on 22 minutes. It was the home side's first serious opportunity and Reid's corner was headed home at the front post by Poland junior international, S-LATEF.

Reid almost gave United the lead single-handedly with the next attack, he beat three defenders on a mazy run from the left but his shot from the edge of the box was well over.

The final chance of the half, seconds before the interval, saw T&T's Rochford graze the top of Haber's crossbar with a 30-yard effort.

S-Latef had a chance blocked and saw a header fly over the crossbar in the early minutes of the second period, whilst Manswell headed off the line as Carole also looked likely to give United the lead.

Haber had to readjust sharply to save a deflected effort from de Silva, but United were soon back on the offensive with Maguire heading just wide from Hendrie's cross.

However, after a spate of substitutions, the visitors reclaimed the lead on 64 minutes. A delicate ball down the right channel saw ROCHFORD angle his body well to beat Haber and Clarence almost added a third soon after.

Foster and James fired wide for United, whilst Grosvenor came within inches of adding number three for T&T after a break from a Blades corner.

Visiting goalkeeper Samuel tipped Hendrie's free-kick, destined for the top corner, just over the crossbar in the final ten minutes and then, from subsequent set-pieces, Maguire's effort was blocked and then France headed just over.

Substitute Gregory headed just wide for United, just before six minutes of added time was announced, but, despite a lot of possession late on, the Blades were unable to force another equaliser.

Blades XI: Haber, France, James (Williams 75), Foster, S-Latef (Chappell 52), Reid, Hendrie, Maguire, Carole (Gregory 79), Roe (O'Kane 45), Brown.

Unused: Billard.

Trinidad & Tobago U20s: Samuel, Adams (David 74), Paul, de Silva (Joseph 63), Clarence, Lougheed (Grosvenor 45), Primus, Rochford (Gonzales 80), Bentick (Morris 87), Manswell (Bateau 60), Cyrus.

Unused: Fullerton, Molino, Walker, Marchan.