Sheffield United’s U21’s took on Wigan Athletic at the LNER community stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The starting eleven featured some interesting names including Will Osula, Kyron Gordon and Ismaila Coulibaly.
The Malian born midfielder, Coulibaly, racked up 60 minutes under his belt as he began his quest to gain match fitness.
United scored two goals in a minute in the first half. First it was Will Osula who fired the Blades in front after swivelling on the ball, on the edge of the box, and firing it past the Latics keeper.
Andre Brooks doubled their lead after Louie Marsh played him through. At this point it seemed as though it was going to be a dominant victory for United’s development team.
But just 5 minutes later, Josh Stones excellently lobbed the ball over Callum Hiddlestone in the Blades goal to keep the Latics in touching distance.
Wigan found an equaliser early into the second half when Chentouf broke through and slotted past the keeper. Although United were furious as they believed Louie Marsh was fouled in the build up to the goal.
Ismaila Coulibaly almost fired the Blades back in front just minutes after conceding the equaliser, but the keeper produced a fine save to tip the ball around the post.
With 10 minutes to go the Blades won a penalty via substitute Hackford, on his return to the team. Will Osula stepped up and scored his brace, and United thought that would be it.
However, shortly after taking the lead, the Blades gave away a penalty of their own, with just minutes to spare. Hiddlestone would save the penalty, but Chentouf secured his brace by scoring the rebound.
Michael Collins commented after the game:
“First game for a lot of the group for a while so we will be better for that I’ve no doubt. We showed some good moments at times, we just needed to be ruthless when it went 2-0.”
Although it has been a few weeks since the U21’s played their last game, prior to this one, they have now conceded 7 goals in their last 2 competitive games, which is uncharacteristic of them.
Blades: Hiddleston, Trialist, Buyabu, Potter, Gordon, Gomis, Coulibaly (Hackford 61), Staniland, Osula, Marsh, Brooks.
Unused: Faxon, L. Williams, Sachdev, T. Williams.