Oaty McOatface wins it

Sheffield United U23 0 v Millwall U23 1

U23 Professional Development League, North

Played at Bramall Lane

Monday 18 September 2017

SUFC 2017/18 Game 24

Twitter @ball_sup

Disappointing. A lot of Utd possession in the first half. Good tempo. But, Millwall stayed in it & were by far the better team in our penalty area. The goal was a little bit scuffy & went in off the post. But, Millwall hit the woodwork ANOTHER FOUR TIMES.

Sheffield Wednesday U23 kicked off at noon & were easy 4-1 winners (v QPR hoopers). That puts them on 13 points from 5 games & clear at the top of the table. Even though the Young Blades got beat, we stay third for the moment - 9 points from 6 games. Games on Tuesday 19th could change that.

Simon Moore started on his comeback trail. Ben Heneghan rocked up in the centre of a back three & armbanded it. Nathan Thomas came on as sub for the Big Lads on Saturday. But, was out here again as left wing back. Samir Carruthers was also out there for the first 65 minutes. So, here goes. The Scouting Report….

All those four did well. Moore will be pissed off to have conceded & his positioning was so perfect at times, although beaten, the ‘Wall ball hit the woodwork. I am no goalkeeping expert. Obviously. But, he looked OK to me. Vocal & loud at times. Organising (he knew the names and all that). Just occasionally, I thought I saw him in minds numbering at least two. Making an initial move for deep balls pumped in, then withdrawing back to his line. He made a little mess of a long range shot that he should have collected. But, there was no danger & he tidied up. He made a fine tumbling save to his left. From a pacy Millwall attack & a shot from the corner of the 18 yarder (about 20 mins in). He had to spread himself & save it with his feet from the Sarf Londoner clear in the box, after about 35 mins. One on one. Kept us in the game that ‘un. He had a powerful shot to palm down about 65 mins in. And, Simon made an excellent one on one save right at the death as Utd piled forwards & Millwall caught us on the break.

All his kicking. Dead balls. On the deck. From back passes. Punting out of his hands. Looked powerful & confident to me. Collected crosses & balls pumped in loudly & comfortably.

Heneghan looked the part. Calm & authoritative. Perfect positioning for balls pumped up by their keeper & defenders. Bullet headers. “Here, have it back Pal”. Saw the runners. Picked them off. Put in a few last ditch tackles. Very aware of what was happening around him. He even had the best Blades chance in the first half (after about 25). He got a downward header to a Jordan Hallam corner. It bounced up and the Millwall geezer on the line was able to head it away.

Nathan Thomas is he of the surging run. He’s a good fit for the wingback role with three at the back. He proved that on Saturday. Continued where he left off. A number of surging runs. Throughout. With the ball at his feet. On quantity of crosses & balls drilled in - I’ll score him high. Just occasionally, quality was lacking. But, numbers count. If he’s a one trick pony. It’s a great trick. But, to prove otherwise. United had the 65 minutes Hokey Cokey reshuffle. Binnion put Thomas in the hole behind David Parkhouse & dropped Jordan Hallam deeper. What?

Nathan seemed well up for it to be fair. He even got a bit of the old David Brooks going on. Once it settled down a bit, he was more attacking left. Kept up those surges.

Carruthers seemed a bit more subdued. Maybe it was more about miles in legs. He was subbed after 65. Not injured. Just the plan I expect. He was a bit off it at the start. But, started to get more involved. He got into a good position in the box after about 20, but couldn’t get his shot off.

United were very, very bright at a great tempo. With Gilmour in particular running the show in midfield. But. And, it’s a big but. Only for very short periods. They had the radar going well at times. Players knowing Millwall were under pressure. So, overlapping & staying forward. I think that is becoming part of the DNA of the Club now. All hail. Gilmour robbed his man in midfield & fed Hallam. Who really should have done better and nip it to Carruthers in a great position (after 35). But, emphasising, once we’d lost it there. Millwall moved quickly & accurately up the park & hit the post - within seconds.

I think it partly goes with the territory. The U Two Threes try to play at such tempo. That basically, they can’t keep it up. In my opinion, the lot of ‘em were tiring coming up to half time. So. They came out firing again at the beginning of the second half. Bennett fed Hallam. It was a great chance. Sniffer like him. Expect him to score. But, the keeper smothered it. There was just one more really decent chance. After 85 mins, a blocked Gilmour shot fell nicely to Sam Graham. But he couldn’t keep it down & it was in The Shoreham. Crikey Phil. I hear you say. How have they lost? The Big Lads all played well. And, we’ve had some blinding chances. Look, mate. What you need is some biased South London Beer Blogger. I ain’t him. Millwall were good. Attacking well. At pace. And in waves. Getting shots off. Scoring & hitting woodwork. They deserved it.

Geeves, Oaty McOatface on cask at 4.5%. Superb Oat Stout. Smooth, velvet in the mouth. Toast mixed with lovely hop bitterness all the way down.

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