Despite losing 2-0 at Walsall the Nike Academy put in a good performance with plenty of positives.
Concentration the cause for narrow reverse at Saddlers
A positive performance from the Nike Academy saw them go down 2-0 at Walsall, although it was a solid display despite the defeat.
Saddlers manager Dean Smith, still involved with the Nike Academy, watched a reserve XI score either side of half-time, but was impressed with the opposition.
The game started with a bang as midfielder Ben Gladwin mistimed a crunching challenge on a Walsall winger, resulting in a dangerous free-kick down the right.
A header wide was the result, and a couple of fantastic saves from George Kamurasi followed to keep the score goalless.
At the other end, Nike Academy striker Tashan Francis Adeyinka combined well with Ross Farran and Andy Yiadom down the left flank, before cutting inside and unleashing a shot from 20 yards out that flew narrowly over the bar.
Wide-man Yiadom was causing all sorts of problems and despite Walsall fielding first-team regular Richard Taundry at right-back, he managed to beat his opponent on a number of occasions and create space for the cross.
However, a momentary lapse in concentration at the back then cost the Nike Academy dear.
A quickly-taken throw-in down the Walsall left caught the defence off guard, and a simple pass inside found the striker in space and he finished coolly off the post into the far corner.
The Saddlers were then in the ascendancy and Nike Academy keeper Kamurasi made a number of impressive stops to prevent a second.
Close call
Ross Farran hit the top of the crossbar with a cross-come-shot and but it remained 1-0 at half-time.
It had been a promising half against a strong Walsall outfit, and Nike Academy director Huw Jennings and coach Nas Bashir praised their charges during the break, although they wanted a quicker tempo with more impetus on width.
The team talk certainly gave the players a lift as soon after the restart, substitute Sean Bonnet-Johnson did brilliantly to play in Tom Collins, who poked a great chance narrowly wide.
But for the second time of the afternoon, the Nike Academy switched off at the back - this time from a Walsall free-kick down their right.
It was taken short and the man on the ball had time to deliver an accurate cross to the far post that was headed in with ease. No further score was added, although the travelling academy showed plenty of endeavor and effort.
Nike Academy director Jennings was pleased with the performance, and believes the players learned some valuable lessons about concentration.
"I thought it was a good game and that we competed well. I thought we were better in possession then we have been in some of the other games and created opportunities," he said.
"At times we gave the ball away too cheaply and as a result Walsall exploited that. Concentration is such a key area, if you lose concentration at this level for just one moment it'll undo you.
"It's right that our players realise there are consequences to their mistakes.
"I think the key thing is taking individual responsibility for your own area.
"You've got to make sure that you do your job and hopefully everyone else will do their job - collectively you will do better.
"Communication is such an important part of that. We don't talk effectively, we make a lot of noise at times but we need to talk more effectively - individual direction from the goalkeeper and the two centre-halves, so that you're seeing individuals taking responsibility.
"The preparation for games is absolutely critical. Thinks like hydration, if you're not properly hydrated 48 hours before the game, if you don't have the nutrition right, if you don't get that right you're going to get found out during the game."
Nas Bashir added: "Today the balance of the teams was good and I think the boys performed well from start to finish.
"The thing that stands out is the fitness level. These Walsall boys train every day and it's not just fitness sharpness, it's your brain sharpness.
"The two goals that we gave away were two lapses in concentration.
"We played 4-3-3 which enables the players to get wide and express themselves in one-on-one situations, which Andy Yiadom did really well today. We had one or two really good chances to score."
As the season draws to a close, the Nike Academy boys now have their best opportunity to impress clubs who have one eye on the summer transfer window.
Hoping to impress
Andy Yiadom had a particularly solid game on the wing, and he admits everyone was out to put in a good show in front of Dean Smith.
He remarked: "We all know Dean is the first team manager so everyone wanted to impress. The first-half started very brightly, we were sharp, popping it down and passing the ball.
"We got it out wide and took the game to them really.
"A positive was getting it out wide and the wingers tried to beat the full-backs, we did that well.
"Maybe the end product could have been better but we created some chances which was good.
"They're a bit fitter and may have had the extra edge against us. We lacked a bit of concentration when they scored the two goals which was a bit disappointing. Everyone has to be switched on because one little thing can cause a goal."
While the result went against the Nike Academy, as Yiadom put it: "Today we lost 2-0, but the margin wasn't very big."
