To the 'Fax

FC Halifax Town U18 1 v Sheffield United U18 5

Wednesday 16 November 2016

FA Youth Cup Round 2

Played at The Shay 

Twitter @ball_sup

Double salute with knobs on to Halifax. I'm calling that as a handpulled real ale in the ground klaxon. The bar was a sort of dual use affair. You could access it from the street or from inside the ground.

My sources tell me that Little Valley Brewery, Withens Pale Ale 3.7% is always on. It was a lovely drink. I squeezed that in at half time. In the middle of a fine performance from the young Blades. Not quite utterly dominant. Because you'll get the odd error at this level. And your opponents will have chances.

But, very much on top. A lot of possession. Camped in their half. Attacking in waves. There'll be some disappointment that it wasn't a clean sheet. However, all said, all done, Preston away in the next round.

Stephen Mallon had a very good game. He was subbed once the game was a done deal. But he'd been a pacy, lively attacking threat up to then. In a sense, U18 stalwarts Hallam & Slater had quiet games by their standards. If you score five, you'd normally expect Hallam to be among 'em.

His corners & crosses did part of the damage though. Both Semple & Graham getting on the end & scoring. Although Semple had to knock a rebound in after his initial header hit the bar.

And it was Slater's run which opened up the chance for the first goal. Overall, a great team performance, with goals coming from different players. And a beer under the stand.

405/827
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