Cal Roberts, Elias Sørensen and Matty Longstaff were on the scoresheet as United edged an entertaining encounter at Blundell Park, recovering from an early setback to lead twice before ultimately picking up the win their overall display merited.
In doing so, United’s current crop became just the third Under-21 outfit to boast a 100 per cent record in the group stage since the competition’s expansion two seasons ago.
And, on an evening where they had to showcase just about every aspect of their game, the Magpies’ coach was understandably delighted as he reflected on the significance of his side’s achievement.
“It’s been great to win the three games, and it’s been great to do it playing the type of football we want to play,” he told nufc.co.uk. “We had a little look at it, and there were only seven teams (out of 64) who could get maximum points coming into the final set of games, and we were the only Under-21 side who could do it. So, we set ourselves a little bit of a challenge before the game – could we do it in a bit of style and win all three? And I have to say that the performances in every game – against quality, experienced Football League teams – have been really pleasing.
“We’ve got a great group. They’ve got good character, good togetherness, and when we’ve fallen a goal behind in recent seasons, it’s led to two, then three. But, because this group have developed that resilience over a period of time, it doesn’t affect them. They learned from the individual errors that led to their first goal, dealt with it, got themselves back on the front foot and back to what we do best.”
While Sørensen’s goalscoring exploits have understandably caught the imagination of Magpies supporters of late, wide-man Roberts – deployed in a No. 10 role against Grimsby – is now just one short of double-figures for the season himself.
He teed up the Dane for United’s second at Blundell Park and also won the free kick which led to Longstaff’s winner, and Dawson was keen to pay tribute to the former Gateshead and Kilmarnock loanee after another eye-catching showing.
“There has been a lot of press around Elias, for obvious reasons, because of his goalscoring form, but that also means that some of the others – like Cal, and some of the others who have been contributing – kind of go under the radar, and they don’t get as much attention in games from the opposition as what Elias has had,” he said. “Cal’s scored the first, then he plays a great cross to the back post to Elias for the second, and then wins the free kick. I think he needs a bit of recognition given his performance tonight, and his performances in the other two games.
“We’ve asked a lot of him out of possession. We know he’s quality on the ball, but as one of the more senior players, we’ve asked him to help us a bit more in terms of that defensive role – pressing from the front, or recovering back and helping the full back when he’s playing in wide areas. He’s been terrific at that.”
