11am 1 December 2018
Under 18 Professional Development League
Sheffield Wednesday U18 3 Hull City U18 1 (att 45)
I visited Wednesday's Middlewood Road training ground in 2002 but recent photos of youth team games suggested their under 18s now play on a different pitch to the one used back then, giving me an excuse to return.
The place has had a makeover in the last 16 years, with a new entrance and new facilities. The two grass pitches haven't shifted, but the one used by Sheffield Wednesday's under 19 team years ago has been turned 90 degrees and was staging an under 16s game today.
The pitch now used by the under 18s is closest to the club buildings, and the first you encounter on foot from the entrance, although how to reach it isn't immediately obvious when you go in.
Once they've found the pitch, spectators can watch from behind the goals, albeit through a fence, or along the far side, where only the area between the dugouts is off limits. I've no idea why dugouts aren't on the opposite side, if it's so important that spectators have to keep their distance.
There was more than enough room for the crowd who turned up on a dark and damp morning for a comfortable win against Hull's youngsters. An early penalty put Wednesday in front and a second goal came just before half time.
The home side added a third near the end, but will doubtless be annoyed at having allowed Hull City a consolation goal in the final moments.
All in all it wasn't a bad game for a youth team fixture at this level, and watching football at Sheffield Wednesday's training ground was a more relaxed and laid back experience than is sometimes the case at such venues.
Under 18 Professional Development League
Sheffield Wednesday U18 3 Hull City U18 1 (att 45)
I visited Wednesday's Middlewood Road training ground in 2002 but recent photos of youth team games suggested their under 18s now play on a different pitch to the one used back then, giving me an excuse to return.
The place has had a makeover in the last 16 years, with a new entrance and new facilities. The two grass pitches haven't shifted, but the one used by Sheffield Wednesday's under 19 team years ago has been turned 90 degrees and was staging an under 16s game today.
The pitch now used by the under 18s is closest to the club buildings, and the first you encounter on foot from the entrance, although how to reach it isn't immediately obvious when you go in.
Once they've found the pitch, spectators can watch from behind the goals, albeit through a fence, or along the far side, where only the area between the dugouts is off limits. I've no idea why dugouts aren't on the opposite side, if it's so important that spectators have to keep their distance.
There was more than enough room for the crowd who turned up on a dark and damp morning for a comfortable win against Hull's youngsters. An early penalty put Wednesday in front and a second goal came just before half time.
The home side added a third near the end, but will doubtless be annoyed at having allowed Hull City a consolation goal in the final moments.
All in all it wasn't a bad game for a youth team fixture at this level, and watching football at Sheffield Wednesday's training ground was a more relaxed and laid back experience than is sometimes the case at such venues.
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