U20s v Dumbarton (closed door)

[Footballfirst]

The U20s (all U19 or younger) lost 3-2 to Dumbarton who fielded something close to their first team.

 

Dumbarton scored first through Archie Campbell who took advantage of a bit of indecision between the keeper and a defender to nick the ball past Robbie Brown.

 

Dumbarton had the better of the first half as Hearts looked a bit tentative and seemed physically intimidated. Brown had a couple of good saves and their best player Scott Agnew went close a couple of times. Hearts were limited to a couple of half chances for Ally Roy and Robbie Buchanan.

 

Hearts subbed Nathan Flanagan with Aaron Scott coming on at half time and Dubarton also made 3 subs, but the changes seemed to help Hearts as they saw more of the ball and retained possession better.

 

Angus Beith set up Liam Henderson for the equaliser with a great dribble into the box, but Dumbarton got a soft penalty just a couple of minutes later when their player rode a challenge, got his shot away, but the ref still gave a penalty despite their being minimal contact or even a claim.

 

Sub Ian Smith got a second equaliser from close range, but Colin Nish scored a third for the Sons with a good turn a shot from the wedge of the box.

 

It was a decent performance against a much more experienced side, particularly in the second half, but I think they got their tactics and formation wrong in the first half when, with three left footers in midfield, Hearts played the one right footer (Sean McKirdy) on the left wing.

 

Team

Brown

Morrison (Morgan), Gordon, Page, L Smith

Flanagan (Scott), Beith, Henderson, McKirdy

Buchanan, Roy (I Smith)

 

Robbie Brown has apparently signed full time. The new names are Callum Morrison at right back and Jack Morgan who played wide right. Both played for the U15s last season. Ally Roy went off injured, maybe aggravating his previous hamstring (?) injury. Liam Gordon did well on his return from injury, sustained down at Leigh.

[fabienleclerq]

 

Robbie Brown has apparently signed full time. The new names are Callum Morrison at right back and Jack Morgan who played wide right. Both played for the U15s last season. Ally Roy went off injured, maybe aggravating his previous hamstring (?) injury. Liam Gordon did well on his return from injury, sustained down at Leigh.

 

Big jump from u15 to u20, does this happen a lot? Would you expect them to play u20 for 4 years?

[Footballfirst]

Big jump from u15 to u20, does this happen a lot? Would you expect them to play u20 for 4 years?

 

The U20s should be strengthened with the likes of Jordan McGhee and Gary Oliver plus any other senior players (overage) who are in need of some game time, so there should be no need for this season's U16s playing at U20. The U16s will ordinarily play in the U17 pro youth games. However if you are good enough, then why not?

 

It was something that Darren Murray did during his time in charge of the U19s and U20s. Holt Walker, Smith, Paterson, McGhee and Nicholson all played for the U19s/U20s while U16/U17. Sean McKirdy and Leon Jones played as U16s last season.