Young Brewers joy as Saints ousted in Youth Cup heroics
COACH Sam Rose hailed “a night they’ll never forget” after Burton Albion’s youth team dumped Premier League Southampton’s academy side out of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night.
While the first team were losing at home to Shrewsbury Town, the young Brewers were winning 1-0 at St Mary’s Stadium to reach the fifth round – the last 16 – of the Youth Cup for the first time.
Defender Ben Mclean headed in Said Idouarab’s corner after 62 minutes for the decisive goal.
“I thought the lads were brilliant and it’s a night that they’ll never forget,” said Rose, the club’s professional development phase lead coach.
“The game had a bit of everything and I think we definitely could have scored more than the one goal.
“We defended well when we needed to, plus (goalkeeper) Greg (Lewis) made some fine saves in both halves.
“The two lads up front led the line really well and it followed throughout the rest of the team with some exceptional performances.
“We looked fit, athletic and matched Southampton throughout.
“Whenever our lads have played category one sides this year, they haven’t been fazed by it.
“As long as they’re organised then they are always going to give themselves a chance.
“I’ve known some of these boys since they were kids and to see them play in Premier League stadiums and win is amazing.
“They’re a great bunch and it was hairs on the back of your neck sort of stuff when the final whistle was blown.”
The result brightened a gloomy evening for first team manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who said the team had “done a Jimmy.”
“It’s very important for the club and apparently they played really well,” said Hasselbaink.
“They’ve done a Jimmy! They’ve won 1-0 away from home, keeping a clean sheet.
“It’s a brilliant day for them. It’s vital for the club and encourages the club to keep going with the youth.
“There is some talent there and well done to (academy manager)
Dan Robinson and his staff.
Robinson said the result highlighted the work that is being done with young players at the club.
“The development that the club and the academy have made is incredible,” said Robinson.
“To be producing players who will play the last 16 teams in the country, in such a prestigious youth cup competition, is unbelievable.
“We’re all really proud of the progress we’re making as an academy and it can only help to inspire all our young players and staff at every age group.” Albion’s first threats of the game came from Callum Niven, who picked up the ball on the edge of the box and forced Saints keeper Oliver Wright into low saves to his left and then right inside the first 15 minutes. Chances for Ramello Mitchell and Jayden Smith followed for the home side but Lewis made his first saves of the night.
Before the first half was out, Lewis was again called into action, tipping behind Kazeem Olaigbe’s longrange effort.
But it was Albion who had the final effort of the first 45, Charlie Williams looking for a spectacular effort into the top corner and
almost finding it as goalkeeper Oliver Wright scrambled back.
The best chance of the game so far went to Southampton after 52 minutes when Olaigbe skipped down the left flank and fired a shot at Lewis.
The keeper could only parry it but recovered to block efforts from both Smith and Mitchell to complete a remarkable triple save.
His heroics seemed to lift the Brewers, who were in the ascendancy for the next 10 minutes, pushing the Saints back and winning dangerous set-pieces themselves.
Williams stood over a free kick after 56 minutes and tried to catch Wright out with an effort to the near post which passed wide.
Saints’ defence looked as resilient as Burton’s but it was the Brewers who broke through in the 62nd minute.
Idouarab’s corner was half-cleared to the back post, where it was nodded home firmly by Mclean.
Moments later Idouarab’s free kick scraped the crossbar on its way over.
Lewis needed another fine save after 85 minutes, touching over another shot from Olaigbe as the Brewers held on.
They have now beaten Worcester City (4-1), Mansfield Town (3-2), Stoke City (3-2) as well as Southampton to reach this stage.
They’re a great bunch and it was hairs on the back of your neck stuff when the final whistle was blown.
Sam Rose