Leeds United U21 0-0 Birmingham City U21

The game was played away at Leeds United this afternoon with Birmingham City hoping to maintain their fine form in the league and cups this season. This clash saw the young lads go to Elland Road, a very iconic ground, in order to try and grind out victory.

The team according to the official bcfc.com website was as follows:
Blues Under-21s: Trueman, Harding, Martin, Mbende, Bernard, Baba, Cooper, Brown (O’Neill, 70), O’Keeffe (McDonald, 75), Storer (t), Jones.
Subs not used: Weaver, Seddon.

I must say, I have been very impressed in recent weeks with how similar all of the youth age groups are in terms of style of play. Despite having different characters in each time, then combination plays are very similar. This makes stepping between age group less challenging skill-wise; it is all about adapting to the physicality though due to development.

The game, as you can tell with a 0-0 scoreline didn’t create too many chances; there were just 3 of note. Reece Brown, who put in a real shift today despite allegations of his lack of attitude, hit a shot inches wide. It was a good effort but he needs to start adding goals to his game in order to push for a starting spot in the first team.

Alex Jones, who is really impressive, came the closest out of all the attempts. He saw his shot cannon back off the upright and away to safety. This is as close as anyone came to scoring and it was very unlucky as it was a marvellous hit. He has looked really sharp after his failed move to the Australian League and I can really see him coming up through the ranks at Birmingham City.

The third clear cut chance, and the one that should have really sealed the points feel to a trialist. Jack Storer had a header that he mistimed and therefore failed to find the target.

Richard Beale said after the game that, ‘We had the better of the game…but unfortunately we weren’t clinical enough to take them.’ This was certainly the case. We dropped 2 points today rather than gaining one. It was a game whereby it was frustrating but a point is a point and we will have to regroup for the next game.

‘But we’ve come away from there with a clean sheet, which is what we’re after and we didn’t look like conceding.’ This is very true. He is always good in his interviews at ending on a positive note and defensively, it did go really well. This defence will need to be on their toes with a couple of tricky fixtures on the horizon.