Goalscorer Sam encouraged by U's display (From Gazette)
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Goalscorer Sam encouraged by U's display
10:26am Monday 3rd December 2012 in Sport By Simon Spurgeon
All smiles - Sam Szmodics celebrates his goal against Chelsea, in the FA Youth Cup. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (CO72711-26)
Sam Szmodics believes he and his team-mates have demonstrated the potential they have in the Colchester United youth ranks.
It was the U’s forward’s 56th minute goal that made sure Chelsea were left sweating at the end of their FA Youth Cup third round tie.
His clinical finish was a fitting end to a classy move that also involved Drey Wright and Macauley Bonne, but Szmodics felt the all-round team display was what should have caught the eye.
He said: “When we saw Chelsea’s name come out of the draw, everyone was buzzing and the support we got from the crowd on the day was fantastic."
See Monday's Gazette for a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's FA Youth Cup game against Chelsea.
Comments(4)
Barside1
says...
4:49pm Mon 3 Dec 12
However -
The latest squad now totals 34, and it would have been 36 had Bender and Hamilton not moved over to Chelmsford
I do not recall Colchester United having seven loan players in the squad at the same time - some decent one's at that, but it must be having an effect on the budget.
Can anyone explain why Colchester United signed a player who was not able to impress at Braintree and Bishops Stortford?
John Ward signed James-Lewis and you have to wonder why when the lad does not seem to figure at all in the first team set up.
totallyfootball
says...
10:17am Tue 4 Dec 12
Noah4x4
says...
7:49pm Tue 4 Dec 12
The club has recently attained Category II Academy Status and now provides 19 qualified youth coaches. That status requires an annual investment of over £1M in Tiptree, on top of the capital investment necessary to develop the facilities.
This is a massive investment in our youth squads, and is (arguably) unparalled in the lower leagues except perhaps at Crewe. One saw the evidence of the benefits on Saturday versus Chelsea. Today, these lads are perhaps not quite ready for the First XI, but give it a year....
Given football league financial constraints from 2012, we must now invest substantially in our LOCAL youth and develop home grown talent. Robbie Cowling has this spot on. I get frustrated that too many people in this town don't recognise the contribution the football club makes to keeping our local youth gainfully occupied; the levels of employment that it provides and the benefits to the wider local economy.
It's about time that more citizens of Colchester backed its football club - and showed some pride in what it is achieving which goes beyond Saturday afternoons and five o'clock results - and no - I don't work for the club - am just a passionate fan.
TheCaptain says...
10:57am Mon 3 Dec 12