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

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 Sean 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: 22.Justin Haber, 2.Ryan France, 4.Kingsley James (21.Kingsley Williams 75th), 7.Nathaniel Foster, 9.Zeyn S-Latef (11.Jorden Chappell 52nd), 10.Kyle Reid, 24.Lee Hendrie, 25.Harry Maguire, 27.Seb Carole (20.Corey Gregory 79th), 28.Phillip Roe (5.Kalum O' Kane 45th), 34.Connor Brown.

Unused: 13.Adam Billard.

Trinidad & Tobago U20s: 21.Glenroy Samuel, 5.Akeem Adams (2.Aubrey David 74th), 6.Leston Paul (capt), 8.Sean De Silva (16.Marcus Joseph 63rd), 9.Juma Clarence, 11.Trent Lougheed (10.Quan Grosvenor 46th), 12.Robert Primus, 14.Jean-Luc Rochford (3.Curtis Gonzales 80th), 15.Uriah Bentick (13.Jevon Morris 87th), 18.Marvin Manswell (4.Sheldon Bateau 60th), 19.Daneil Cyrus.

Unused: 1.Jesse Fullerton, 7.Kevin Molino, 17.Nicholas Walker, 22.Andre Marchan.

Young Warriors score 2-1 win over Sheffield XI.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

Trinidad and Tobago’s National Under 20 footballers made a winning start to their slate of warm up matches in Europe as they completed a 2-1 victory over a Sheffield United Eleven at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night.

Head coach Zoran Vranes expressed his satisfaction with the performance and result as he saw T&T grab a 16th minute lead through defender Robert Primus when he headed home from close up. The home side equalized four minutes later but T&T’s persistence paid off when midfielder Jean Luc Rochford slotted home from inside the penalty box in the 66th minute for the eventual winner.

“It was a tough match for our team but I am happy with the result and satisfied with the performance after we arrived here two days ago,” Vranes told TTFF Media following the match against a team comprising of Sheffield Reserve and first team players.

“They (Sheffield) are a professional team and they were very fit and played a good brand. But the experience and the intensity of the match was very good for our boys. We had a couple more chances and they also created some chances but we were able to hold up well to their pressure. I’m pleased with the end result,” Vranes added.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the stay at Sheffield before the team heads to Turkey on Monday, Vranes added: “We will have two days of double sessions tomorrow on Friday and then we have Saturday off. We got the excellent news of the invitation to see the Manchester United/Arsenal game on Saturday and the guys are anxious about that. We will also play a game against a local club on Friday.”

Skipper Leston Paul and his teammates o trained at the Sheffield United stadium at Bramall Lane on Wednesday morning prior to their late evening match.

Paul and company were hosted by the United first team and club chairman Richard Tims was on hand to meet the members of the team and there was an exchange of gifts with each player receiving boot bags and Tims collected a signed T&T shirt from Paul on behalf of the TTFF and the team.

TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner also met with officials of the club and the T&T team. Warner spoke with the players as well, giving them his vote of confidence.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. And I expect great things form this team,” Warner said.

Warner, who is in England, took time away from his busy schedule to have lunch with the boys mere hours before their match again Sheffield Reserves.

“The TTFF has invested heavily in this team and its development, It is no secret this team will be the next senior team, In 2014 it will be you representing this country. It is great honour and a great responsibility. But I believe in you, and I know the entire country believes in you”

“As you prepare for the U-20 World Cup in Egypt, let us take the accept the blessings that we have been given. You are all role models to younger generation. You must be a pillar of hope and strength. You are representing not the TTFF, not Jack Warner, but the people of Trinidad and Tobago.