FA Premier Academy league - Charlton vs Arsenal 03/03/01

FA Premier Academy League, U17

Sat 3 March 2001

Charlton 1 (0) Arsenal 2 (2)

Arsenal: Craig Holloway; Alex Bailey, Justin Hoyte, Ashley Probets (Sam Kanu 65), Nicky Nicolau; Jordan Fowler (Alfred Kamara 35), Dan Hollington, Wayne O'Sullivan (Prattley 75), Matthew Rouse; David Bentley, Adam Birchall
Subs not used: Freeman, Oji

Scorers: Bentley 15 (pen),25

Charlton: Delo, St Luce, Killoughery (Nunn 56), Sankofa, Jackson, Thanda, Long, Fuller, Waller, Savage (Funna 82), Varney (Onibuje 56)
Subs not used: Beckford, Penfold

Scorer: Thanda 65

The game was played on a snow covered pitch in a bitingly cold north easterly wind. Arsenal should really have won the game more comfortably, having totally dominated the first half, and having the better chances in the second as well. However, with the wind at their backs after half time, Charlton came into the game more and after getting a goal back midway through the second half might have snatched an equaliser.

In pretty difficult conditions the young Gunners played an impressive passing game, and created several chances in the first half. They went ahead from a penalty awarded when Hollington played the ball back in towards Birchall I think, just inside the area after a corner was half cleared. The ref decided that the defender's challenge was illegal and pointed to the spot, and Bentley coolly placed the penalty high into the top right hand corner of the net.

The young striker got his second about 10 minutes later when Birchall held the ball up on the left, before clipping a pass inside to pick out Bentley's run into the area. He showed great skill cushioning the pass on the volley, taking it round a defender at the same time, and then flicking it goalwards with the outside of his right foot. The keeper appeared to have saved it but the ball squirmed underneath him and trickled over the line.

The goalkeeper then made a couple of good saves, first when Fowler hit a tremendous shot from the edge of the area which the keeper beat aside, and then when some good play down the right put in Birchall for a shot from an angle, but the keeper was again equal to it, turning the ball round the post.

Towards then end of the half Bentley narrowly missed his hattrick, curling a 25 yard free kick over the wall and against the crossbar with the keeper completely beaten.

At the other end I can only really recall Charlton threatening once just before half time. The no 6, who'd been switched to a forward position after playing most of the half in the middle of the defence, got away down the right and pulled the ball into the middle, but the Arsenal defence managed to clear.

Charlton saw more of the ball after the break, but in the first 20 minutes or so of the half Arsenal should have added to their lead. Bailey made a great run into the area from right back, and a clever one-two with Birchall put him in on goal, but from about 8 yards he lifted a left foot shot over the bar. Birchall later did well again, getting away down the right and pulling the ball back into the middle, where err, one of his team mates dragged a shot wide from near the penalty spot.

At the other end meanwhile Charlton were starting to cause problems for the hitherto untrouble Arsenal defence, though it was only through defensive errors that they got their best chances. First when I think Bailey's error gave the ball away near the edge of the area, and after Holloway had saved, the ball was driven back in towards the empty net, but Hoyte was on hand to clear off the line. One of the Charlton strikers also broke clear from about 40 yards out but slashed wide when well placed.

Their goal came from another defensive error. Holloway appeared to call for the ball when it was played into the area from the right, but then hesitated as Bailey left it to him, and failed to gather the ball under challenge. The loose ball eventually reached Thanda, the defender turned striker, and he knocked it into the empty net.

Bentley almost made the game safe for Arsenal, driving in a low angled shot from the left which seemed to be headed for the far corner, but the keeper brilliantly got fingertips to it to turn the ball just past the post.

The last 10 minutes or so were enlivened by the fact that Hollington got a knock which meant he had to hobble round up front as Arsenal had already used 3 subs, and by Charlton bringing on the biggest under 17 year old I've ever seen. He towered above everyone else on the pitch by what seemed at least a foot, and the home side unsurprisingly pressed forward by tossing high balls into the area. The young Gunners held out however to record a deserved win.

As I've not seen any of the under 17s play before, it's somewhat difficult and probably presumptuous to form an opinion on every player one viewing, but I'll attempt it anyway.

Goalkeeper: Craig Holloway
Had little to do for most of the match, but it was a misunderstanding between him and Bailey which led to the goal. He's the one player I've seen before in the last youth cup game when as far as I recall he had a reasonable game.

Right back: Alex Bailey
Has also played several times for the under 19s, and was a regular for the U17s last year as a schoolboy, so I think he's viewed as a good prospect. He had a mixed game I thought, a couple of glaring errors but otherwise played pretty well. Captain of the team and looked a natural leader - the most notable aspect of his game was how much shouting and organising of his team mates he did.

Left back: Nicky Nicolau
Sometimes also plays in midfield I believe. Natural left footer, quick and quite skilful. Apart from one error in the 2nd half had a good game, particularly going forward in the 1st half.

Centre half: Justin Hoyte
I think he is still a schoolboy, but also played regularly last season. Looked a good prospect to me, very calm and assured, with two good feet.

Centre half: Ashley Probets
Definitely still a schoolboy and the least experienced of the defenders - Bailey, Hoyte and the coach Banfield spent a lot of time talking to him. He looked quite promising to me, did little wrong and passed the ball well with a good left foot.

Centre midfield: Wayne O'Sullivan
'Paddy' to his teammates, a typically combative Irish (I assume) midfielder. Had a solid if unspectacular game in the middle.

Centre midfield: Jordan Fowler
Went off injured after about half an hour, but looked like a good, fairly skilful player while he was on. Unlucky not to score with one tremendous shot.

Right midfield: Dan Hollington
Looked quite a clever player, though not a natural winger, and had quite a good game.

Left midfield: Matthew Rouse
Another natural left footer, took all the right side corner kicks. One of the quieter members of the team, and had a fairly quiet but nonetheless useful game.

Striker: Adam Birchall
A stocky and fairly quick little player, reminded me a bit of Paul Dickov, always chasing and harrying and held the ball up quite well. I was quite impressed with him, and he created a fair few of Arsenal's best situations.

Striker: David Bentley
Quite clearly the star of the show, DB mark 2 in almost every way. Plays in a similar withdrawn role, has beautiful skill on the ball and great touch and vision. A slight lack of pace may be his only drawback, though on one viewing I might also question his attitude slightly. He was a class above everyone else, and he knew it. A rather arrogant air at times, and the fact that he already has his own web site might suggest that he is in danger of believing he's already made it...

Sub: Alfred Kamara
Came on for Fowler in the first half and played in midfield, then when Probets went off in the second he dropped back to centre half. Looked quite a useful and versatile player.

Sub: Sam Kanu
No relation to the great man as far as I know, and certainly physically completely different. About half Kanu's height and stocky with it. Played on the left side of midfield, had a busy and eager 30 minutes or so.

Sub: Darren? Prattley
Only on for 15 minutes or so, played in midfield and also looked quite a useful player.

Derek

ArseWeb is NOT the official Arsenal site. The (excellent) official site is here