FA Youth Cup First Round Proper - Cambridge United 5 Hemel Hempstead 1

Whilst the primary aim of the evening was to win the game and take our place in the Second Round Proper against Crewe Alexandra, it was achieved without the style we hoped in a largely lacklustre display.

As we know the capabilities of these players, it is frustrating when they perform below their level, especially in front of the first team manager who they must impress to earn a professional contract. I can understand the players being too anxious on these nights and having a bad time because they are trying too hard. On this occasion though, this was not the case.

Following our excellent win at Wroxham last Saturday, our 41 goals in the previous 4 rounds of this competition, and the players seeing a glimpse of Hemel Hempstead on the FA website, it was very difficult to ensure the players approached this tie without any complacency. Gone are the days when you could lie about the opposition! In this age of technology, the players simply log on to the thefa.com and watch video clips of previous rounds.

At 7pm watching our warm up, we could tell the players lacked the intensity that is evident when they perform at their best. Our early goal and poor play from Hemel meant the players quickly saw that we could do just enough and still win comfortably. Whilst the players may think criticism is only justified when they lose, we are striving for excellence and always demanding high standards, whatever the situation, result or opposition, for their benefit. Excellence is habit forming and in order to achieve their aim of a career in professional football, the players must understand that doing enough will simply never be enough. It was enough to beat Hemel but it won't be enough to beat Crewe and certainly will not be enough to play in the first team.

The night started with Rory McAuley powerfully heading home at the near post from a Robbie Willmott corner and Piers Wixon doubling the lead from close range fifteen minutes later. Craig Bussens was our most potent attacking threat throughout the game and although his end product lacked the quality we now expect, his running with and without the ball was far too much for their left back and would have given the Crewe management team in the crowd food for thought.

Other chances were spurned in the opening half hour, most notably from Adam Marriott and Jordan Patrick, before a mistake at the back allowed Hemel's leading scorer, Jay Austin, to halve their deficit. This momentarily jolted our players out of their complacency and we soon restored our two goal advantage, courtesy of Robbie Willmott's cool finish.

The players were left in no doubt about our feelings at the interval, but once your mindset is wrong it is very difficult to change during the game, especially when you are winning and in complete control. We wanted to inject some tempo, enthusiasm and entertainment into our play but despite two more goals, the players still didn't move the ball quick enough or work early enough for our liking. We know it is difficult to maintain throughout 90 minutes against inferior opposition because the game is too easy and the players have too much time. That is why the attitude and tempo at the start is so important. We achieved it against Bury in the previous round with a really polished performance and to put Wednesday into context, Hemel were no better opponents.

The fourth goal was a gem though, Robbie Willmott curling a free kick into the top corner from 25 yards with a trademark strike. Jordan 'JP' Patrick finally converted a far post chance in the closing stages and the match meandered to a conclusion with John Yambasu's left footed thunderbolt against the upright providing the highlight.

I would just like to finish by thanking those who braved the cold night to support the team. I hope that you and others will return to the Abbey Stadium on Thursday to get behind us against Crewe. Last year, you created a great atmosphere that really helped the players to believe they could beat their illustrious opponents.

We know the size of our task to knock out for the second year running a club that is synonymous with youth development. They play at the highest level of youth football in this country and have already beaten Manchester United and drawn with Liverpool this season. We won't have the element of surprise on this occasion but we do have seven players who played that night and the memories of our 2-1 win to inspire us.

The carrot of Aston Villa away in the next round provides an even greater incentive, not that one should be needed. I am disappointed that we have not played a better standard of opponents in the qualifying rounds because we now go into a massive game without yet being tested in this competition. Thursday will tell us much about our young players.

Jez George

Team: Smith, McAuley, Kirby, Carr, Costello, Cutler, Bussens, Marriott (Ives 70), Wixon, Willmott (Yambasu 75), Patrick (Paterson 75).

Cambridge United will play Crewe Alexandra's youth team in the 2nd Round at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday 22nd November (kick off 7pm)

[FA Youth Cup fixtures and reports]
[CRC fixtures and reports]

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