U18 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 4 U18 BLACKBURN ROVERS

Last Friday I had the chance of being part of the staff supporting the Blackburn Rovers u18 team against Manchester United.
We departed from the Blackburn Rovers Academy in Brockhall with two vans and went to Altrincham FC stadium, the non-league pitch that Manchester United uses when they can not play in their academy.

The match was live on Manchester TV and it meant a lot for the Blackburn Rovers players and staff. It was the last match of the season, Manchester United was a great test to see the improvement of players throughout the season, and … Usually, some of the BR players may be ex-United players… so, full of ingredients for an exciting match.

And indeed it was. The match was very even, with Manchester United more in possession of the ball, but at the same time Blackburn Rovers didn’t give it away easily when got it. The first 30 minutes it seemed that MU was going to get control of the match after a goal consequence of a quick recovery in mid field. However when things look bad for BR, Jack Evans scored an amazing goal from outside the box that changed the “energy” of the match.  So much, that in the last minute of the first half BR scored the second goal. Amazing:1-2 at half time.

Jack Evans, incredible goal. Game changer.

The second half was more or less similar. A slight more controled pace of the match by MU but a quick and nice BR counter meant 1-3. Blackburn Rovers never went into deffensive mode. The team tried to play football from the back and having control of the ball when possible. This meant Manchester United really had to play at its best to win the match. When MU scored the second goal, it seemed that the same story of the previous week was going to repeat itself. (BR lost against Manchester  City 2-3 at home, when,with only 10 minutes left, was dominating 2-1).
Fortunately, a last effort by BR meant a final goal with a score of 2-4. Exciting victory for the kids and the management team. It was a great team effort, with some young players of the U16 squad also playing.

I really admired the composure of everyone in this match, that proved that team effort and hard work is always necessary to develop talent, win matches and have a great season.

BILLY BARR , IAN JONES U18 COACHES 

AND ALL SQUAD!!

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING AND

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Special thanks aswell to Mike Sheron and Darragh Tuffy for showing me their love to the u16 young players development. 

I finally want to thank Eric Kinder, Head of the Academy, for having welcome me so kindly every single day. You have been the Kindest a Kinder can be! Thanks!!  You have a great team!!