Hashtag united academy ends with a bang

On the 29th of may the hashtag united academy process came to an end. Weeks of matches,skill showcases and interviews came down to this. Thousands upon thousands applied and 200 made it to the auditions but now only 2 remained, Joni Vukaj who has had experience abroad in Kosovo and Albania and Jake Lindsey who has played before in the 2nd academy season .

The day was run with one match involving the 2 players leadership skills being put to the test this was conducted with them playing a match against each other with there teams being made up of a mix of current first team players as well as players that had participated in past episodes of the academy process.Joni’s team played in the yellow home kit while Jake drew the short straw and was given the away kit.

The game was played at a leisurely pace until the 8th minute when team Joni had a nice spell of possession that ended with Antoine da-costa having a shot deflected wide for a corner.

It was to be Jake's team that struck first though in the 10th minute when Harry Honesty put in a cross that left it on a plate for captain Jake Lindsey to excellently volley home.

Team Jake had the chance to double it when the ball came to Harry Honesty who played the ball into Joe Gregory in the box when the shot could have been a better option. Later in the same play Jake Lindsey played a ball into Sam Byles whose touch disappointed him.

Team Jake had a great chance to double their lead when a lapse of concentration in defence led to Joe Gregory spotting goalkeeper Anthony page off the line only to chip the ball into his palms.

Team Joni came agonizingly close when Jesse Waller-Lassen put an in-swinging cross which was volleyed by Liam Mulligan only for Jamie “Jacko” Jackson to tip onto the bar. Liam Mulligan had another chance later on but his shot was comfortably saved.

George smith had an opportunity for team Jake whos shot was blocked. Another opportunity was wasted when Mcfall shot over

Liam Mulligan had a chance for team Joni but the chance was saved by an athletic stop by Jacko to keep the score at 1-0 Jake

Team Jake had another chance when Sam Blackholly had a long range chance that bounced off the post on the way out.

Joni’s team had another chance in the 42nd minute but Byran Humbels hit it wide.

Team Joni attacked straight from kick off when Toby Arroaloarum had a shot parried wide by Jacko. The resulting corner was headed over for another corner.

Team Jake almost doubled the lead again on the counter attack with Jake’s shot turned cross being too narrow a angle for Eddy Cooper to turn home.the resulting corner fired wide by Lindsay.

On the 48th minute Vukaj shot narrowly wide.

Team Jake when agonisingly close when Bradley Marriot headed agonizingly wide.

Mathew Wooldrige went close for Joni but he shot narrowly over.

Team Jake doubled the lead when former academy player Rowan dorling headed in in the 65th minute to make it 2-0 Jake.

Joni’s team pulled one back when sweetman Sam Bantick curled it home from outside the box to halve the deficit to 2-1.

Team Joni completed the turnaround when Jacko pulled off a save only for Fa cup team of the year player Jesse Waller- Lassen to tap home in the 74th minute

Jake LIndsey came agonisingly close only for his shot to be tipped over by Page

Liam Mulligan almost completed the turnaround for Joni only for Jacko to save

Jack made another save 5 minutes from time.

Team Joni came close when Callum palmer headed in off the bar but not over the line