Ribeiro and Long play 90 minutes in Development Side win
Christian Ribeiro and Sam Long both played the full 90 minutes in a Development game against the Nike Academy this afternoon. The pair have been in full training for a few weeks but with United’s busy fixture list it has been hard to slot in development matches. However the U’s turned in an excellent performance today to win 2-0 at Tilsley Park, Abingdon.
Liam Sercombe gave United the lead in the 20th minute when he nodded home after Ribeiro had got forward well to cross. Josh Ruffels then sealed the win with a bullet header on 26, powering home a right wing cross despite the keeper getting a hand to it.
The Nike Academy, which aims to give a chance to players not offered pro contracts, fought hard and pulled a couple of good saves out of Jack Stevens but with Long, Ribeiro and Joe Skarz in the back four the U’s always had the upper hand.
Canice Carroll almost extended the lead with a first half effort and linked up well with Ruffels in central midfield while a number of United’s youth team did well.
Chris Allen told us:
“It was good to get the game in and give people time on the pitch. The two lads took their goals really well and we maybe should have scored a few more because we dominated a lot of the game.
“Any win boosts your confidence so it was a good work out and I thought the attitude from the senior players was spot on.”
United
Stevens, Ribeiro, Long, Trialist (C.Hawtin 75), Skarz (Heap 75), Trialist, Carroll, Ruffels, Hartley (Cowan 75), Sercombe (Hopkins 75), Trialist