Major stadium stage for U18s’ final showdown
COVENTRY City U18s will be looking to cap off a fine season tonight as they face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the national final.
The young Sky Blues have already been crowned champions of the Professional Development League South, but Sheffield United now stand in the way of Jason Farndon and Andy Crabtree’s men collecting their second piece of silverware.
Prolific striker Jordan Ponticelli has bagged 27 league goals for the under18s this season, and is expected to lead the line again in front of the onlooking Mark Robins.
Tonight’s final at Bramall Lane will be the second time the two sides have met this season after the Blades won 2-1 at the Alan Higgs Centre back in August – one of only five defeats City have suffered this campaign.
Academy manager Rich Stevens is excited at the prospect of being crowned national champions, and told the club’s official website: “It is a great opportunity for them to experience a game of this magnitude at a stadium like Bramall Lane.
“It is just rewards for their hard work and commitment throughout the entire season.
“Both players and staff have worked tirelessly to reach this stage and deserve all the success they have achieved to this point.
“We have one final fixture to cap off what has already been a fantastic campaign for the Under-18s.”
The young Sky Blues were last in action three weeks ago in their semi- final against Sheffield Wednesday, and Stevens says that time has given the squad time to rest and prepare accordingly. He added: “It has been pretty normal in terms of preparation. We’ve had quite a long break since the last game which has actually helped us. “It has given us time to really prepare for the game but, despite the added time, we have gone about our business as we usually would for any other game. “We will go into it looking to do our best and see where that takes us.”
“It is a great opportunity for them to experience a game of this magnitude at a stadium like Bramall Lane.
League One football over the fourth tier may prove to be a key factor, when the 23-year-old comes to make a decision on his future.
Arguably Yeovil’s most improved player this season, Lacey has established himself as a key part of the Glovers’ defence.
The centre-back position is clearly an area that needs strengthening for the Sky Blues this summer given the uncertain futures of Jordan Turnbull, who has a “get-out” clause in his three-year deal, and Jordan Willis, who has already been linked with renewed interest from Rotherham United and could well be sold, while Nathan Clarke has been released.