By Jack Cleaver
USW Men’s 1st can claim an historic second successive BUCS play-off title crown after beating Northumbria University to reach the quarter-finals.
That’s the view of assistant coach Lawrence Badman after the reigning champions went through courtesy of goals from Clayton Green, Tristan Jenkins and Mike George in a 3-0 win at the Sport Park.
Last season USW, led by head coach Lee Kendall, swept all before them, going unbeaten the entire campaign and winning the Premier League South as well as the play-offs.
And while it has been a much more difficult few months this time around for USW, they are now three wins away from glory.
Badman said: “The way the lads didn’t stop, didn’t give up, was superb.
“There were occasions I felt Northumbria were on top.
Excellent 3-0 win against a strong @TNmensfootball team this evening. Into the 1/4 finals against Premier North Champions @StirlingUniFC next Wednesday. #USWFootball
— USW Football (@USWFootball) February 19, 2020
“But we fully deserved the victory and the clean sheet. The lads gave 100%.
“Even at 1-0 up we kept putting the pressure on.”
Asked directly if another championship was on the cards, Badman replied: “Yeah 100% with this group of players.
“There were two very good players who didn’t even get onto the pitch today, that’s the strength of the squad.
“And a couple of players were missing as well. So with the character of these players, 100% yeah we can.”
USW must travel to Sterling next week for the quarter-final.