Shirebrook Town Fc

Date:	05 Mar 2008
Competition:	North Midland U19 League Cup
Home/ Away:	Away
Score:	1-0
Team:	Under 19's

Match Report

Sheffield FC's Under 19s booked their place in the League Cup Final thanks to Joe Jerrison's 40th minute goal in a superb team performance against a strong Shirebrook side.

In the first five minutes Sheffield had to absorb quite a bit of pressure from the home side but Lipka and Gelsthorpe were up to the task and dealt with the threat with their characteristic composure. Sheffield then began to dominate the play and Simpson and Cribley were combining well on the right with Alex Morris who won successive corners which, disappointingly came to nothing. At the other end Andy Gascoigne did well to bock a goal bound shot in the area; the initiative though was with Sheffield and after about 20 minutes, Simpson, having a great game at right back got forward and put over a great cross which just evaded the head of the onrushing Jerrison. On the other flank McKenzie slipped a great ball to Cribley but he was well marshalled by the Shirebrook defenders. More intelligent play by Gascoigne set up a half chance for Morris; and the striker had a great opportunity a minute later when Purkiss put him through on goal with a great ball; he took a touch too many and managed only to earn a corner from the effort. Purkiss was getting into the game more and held the ball well and found Cribley with a clever pass but he was again well defended. On 40 minutes Simpson found Purkiss on the right and he showed great strength and concentration to whip in a fantastic cross from the cornerflag which Jerrison powered into the net with a firm header. From the restart the ball found its way to Purkiss who struck a terrific hit which the goalie somehow knocked away for a corner. From this Purkiss dod well again and set up Morris who was unlucky once more to find the keeper on his game to make a superb save from his shot and limit Sheffield to a one nil advantage at half time.

Shirebrook were quickly out of the blocks in the second half and the Sheffield defenders were being put to the test, but it was Purkiss who had the best chance in the opening minutes when he was put through on goal by the hardworking Morris. Shirebrook was having the better of the possession and Simpson did really well to block a shot. There were a few fierce tackles and Jerrison went down after a rash challenge which brought a talking to from the referee to his opposite number. Shirebrook continued to press and Liam Smith did well to palm away a dangerous inswinging corner. Gascoigne had a surging run forward only to be brought down by a bad tackle on the left of the penalty area; and following a good move involving Jones Purkiss and Cribley, Gascoigne got a good shot off as Sheffield attempted to kill the game with a second goal. Purkiss was replaced by Callum Paine in the last minutes of the game and he made an immediate impact when he supplied Morris with a great ball which was scooped wide with the goal at his mercy. Shirebrook almost forced extra time in the very last minute but the effort was just too wide and Sheffield hung on to get to the final where the opponents will be cup holders Alfreton Town.

Team: Liam Smith, Elliott Simpson, Joe Jerrison, Lloyd Gelsthorpe, Janni Lipka, Josh Jones, Ted Cribley, Danny McKenzie, Joel Purkiss (Callum Piane), Alex Morris, Chris Stratford, Jonathan Askew