Late Kyerematen winner sends Under-18s roaring into cup final

Persistence paid off for our Under-18s as Rio Kyerematen struck a sensational 89th-minute winner at Sheffield United to send us into the Under-18 Premier League Cup final on Tuesday afternoon.

Having stood up well to the Blades amid wintry conditions at their training ground, we finally found a breakthrough with the clock ticking down - and what a goal it was! Starting from goalkeeper Luca Gunter, we worked the ball from right to left and after some superb passes from Jahziah Linton, Jamie Donley and Mikey Moore, Kyerematen kept his cool in the box to slot home from the angle, sparking wild scenes among the entire squad.

It was eerily reminiscent of the 2015 League Cup campaign at first team level - a tough semi-final away to Sheffield United with the snow falling, where a late goal from a certain midfield maestro booked our place in the final. This time it was another graceful midfielder in Kyerematen who came up with the goods as we advanced to face Aston Villa in the showpiece final in a few weeks' time - the second League Cup final Stuart Lewis' troops have qualified for in the space of seven days after last week's Under-17 victory over Chelsea on penalties.

Chances against the Blades were at a premium in a real clash of styles on a freezing afternoon in South Yorkshire. Donley fired wide and both centre-backs, Alfie Dorrington and Archie Chaplin, were narrowly off-target with front-post headers from corners in the opening exchanges but as the game began to tighten up and the snowfall became heavier, Sheffield United had their first real attempt at goal when full-back Sai Sachdev fired over from distance.

Dorrington was powerful in his defending to prevent the hosts from forcing their way through and just after the half-hour mark, a couple of other opportunities came our way as Moore - once again superb with the ball at his feet - cut in off the left side and saw his right-footed shot tipped over, before Kyerematen fired wide when the resulting corner fell kindly for him in the box.

We were determined to take the game to United and only a fine save from their goalkeeper Luke Faxon denied George Abbott seven minutes into the second half, while striker Jaden Williams was booked for simulation after going to ground in the box under Jayden Prunty's challenge on one of a handful of times he managed to spin in behind the Blades' defensive line.

With the weather brightening up for the last 20 minutes, Sheffield United skipper Sydie Peck was a whisker away with a 20-yard free-kick while the hard-working Damola Ajayi's shot at the other end was deflected over the bar following good work from substitute Callum Olusesi with five minutes remaining.

As we entered the 89th minute, though, we finally got our reward as a terrific team goal undid the Blades. After Gunter initially played the ball short, it was eventually worked to Linton whose well-weighted pass in-field found Donley and he in turn lifted it back out to Moore in a wide position on the left, with the midfielder applying a deft touch to find Kyerematen in the box before the latter fired home from the left angle, sparking unbridled joy among the players. There was still work to do, but we were excellent in our game management to see out a deserved victory.

'The celebrations showed what it means'

Under-18s Coach Stuart Lewis was delighted with his team's display, telling us afterwards: "It was an outstanding team performance where we showed our character throughout. We knew it would be a tough game but I felt we stood up to the physical elements of the game well and showed our quality, we dominated the second half and scored at a vital time. It was a really outstanding team goal that started with Luca Gunter in goal, we worked it into the final third, it was a good pass from Mikey Moore and Rio came up with an excellent finish. It was very pleasing to keep a clean sheet in tough conditions as well. The celebrations after the goal and again after the game showed what it means to the players - they've been outstanding recently and to reach two League Cup finals is testament to their hard work on the training pitch, in games and off the pitch as well, so I'm really proud of them for their efforts."