I Don't Like Mondays

Barnsley U21 1 v Sheffield United U21 2

Monday 16 February 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Open message to whoever organises the Professional Development League U21 fixtures.

MONDAYS. NO. Worst day of the week for drinking. If a pub is going to be shut one day a week it will be the Monday. And lo it came to pass.

Had my eye on The Old No. 7 in Barnsley. Closed Monday. 'Spoons (The Silkstone Inn) to the rescue. Acorn Netherwood on cask at 4.5%. Very clear. Lovely head. Amber. Tastes well balanced. Nice sweetness from the malt. And a tingly salad leaf bitterness. Very refreshing. Tip Top condition.

I'm not. But that pub ain't for "the faint hearted". Even at 1120 on a Monday.

I slagged off the SUFC Twitter/Internet coverage of U18/U21 games in a recent Blog. While praising the coverage provided by recent opponents Leeds United & Nottingham Forest. Salute to Barnsley. They've raised the bar. According to their Twitter, today's game from their Academy has been broadcast live on YouTube. Makes sense. Most teams film the game for subsequent analysis. Get down to Maplins. Buy the right cable. Plug it into the camera you're already using. Plug the other end into the Internet. Bingo.

And Credit. This match was publicised ahead of kick off on www.sufc.co.uk.

Potentially nice set-up at the Barnsley Academy. It's next door to Oakwell. There's an artificial pitch. Loads of grass pitches. Floodlights on some. There are some quite large seating sections - under cover on the artificial one. But, they're decaying. Need a handyman, some bolts & a pressure washer. Urgently.

Big crowd. Fair play to our Barnsley cousins. Lively game. The ref has given a penalty to each side & Barnsley had two good shouts turned down. Home fans braying at him at times.

Sam Berry & Ioan Evans partnership at centre back. Worked OK. Maybe "for the future".

I was a bit disappointed with (or rather for) Connor Dimaio & Ben Whiteman in midfield. They were good in parts. But the game seemed to go over & round them at times.

I thought Kieran Wallace looked stronger & livelier than recent performances. But he went off to make way for (presumed) trialist Jassem Sukar. He slotted in at left back. McFadzean went into midfield. Nothing of note from Sukar. Got caught in possession a bit & was off the pace.

CJ Hamilton & Calvert-Lewin were lively enough. They combined well for the equaliser.

It was Even Stevens in the first half. But I thought the Young Blades deserved it overall.

89/209