Apology Accepted

Crewe Alexandra U23 0 v Sheffield United U23 2
U23 Professional Development League

Played at Alexandra Park (Crewe Academy)

Thursday 19 April 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 83

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I felt the Young Blades were the better team. But, in the final analysis. There wasn't that much in it. We went a bit off the boil in the second half. Despite the fact that Crewe were down to ten men from 52 minutes. (A Red Card, I didn't really see it, he's tangled with Will Portman).

I need to set that against many positives. Keenan Ferguson back from injury. One of a centre two with Semple at times. One of a back three with Doherty added at other times. During key periods of the first half. When Utd were dominant. Keenan had a number of surging runs forward through the line. Unfortunately, he got a knock after 85 & limped off. As did Callum Semple after 90 +5. Callum was clattered on the ankle just outside their box. As he was limping off, Utd hit the post with the free kick.

Ty Smith had a very lively game. Bang in it. Better than I've seen him recently. I know it'll sound simplistic. But, he just ran the channels. Get half a yard on his marker. Stay upright in the inevitable wrestling. Control. Get a shot off. Simple game …

Tyler scored the second after 35 minutes. George Cantrill gained it & worked it neatly on our left. Nudged it in for Smith. Bit of composure. Dink.

Regan Slater had a storming game. Tenacious. Organising. Calm. Storming game. Simeon Oure came deep on 16 mins. Played it off to Slater. He's hit a perfect first time ball into the Smith Channel. Tyler shook his man off. If I'm critical, he was a bit too greedy. Could/Should have squared it to Gilmour. But, not too much wrong with a bit of greed in a striker. Shot wide. Regan was consistently strong in the tackle & strong in the surge. Coming deep. Appearing long.

By that time, the Young Blades were already one up (7 mins). Smith robbed a man on the right. Took it on. Worked it with trialist Ollie Crankshaw & Harvey Gilmour. Gilmour got it left to Slater. Calm as a very calm thing, he's beat a man & picked his spot.

Google suggests Crankshaw is with Colne FC. Fourteen goals in 29 appearances. I felt he did himself some favours today. He looked on the pace. And he lasted the pace. He had a hand in that first goal. He attacked at pace. And fitted in well with the others. He started well. Got a good lay off with his first touch. Played intelligently, showing to get the ball of the CBs & midfielders. He was basically wide left attacking midfield. Trav sent him on a wander about, roving role at times.

As an aside. Some nice Personal Skills from George Cantrill. He's been clattered from behind over on our side. He's said quite a few Rude Words as a result. A Crewe Carrier Bagger, (sat in a fucking camping chair no less), had (jokingly) given it the old “Language Young Man”.

George doesn't flinch - and very politely says
“I'm very Sorry”
(Note - genuine, not sarcasm)
(Crewe fella impressed)

There was “supposed to be a Game 84”. The Futures U19 away at Worksop Town & some hunting of the beer. In the end, hot n bothered, Alton Towers rollercoaster over the High Peak, a bit of Amateur Hour, I just couldn't make it work.

Which gave me the rare opportunity of seeing the British Phenomenon of the Beer Garden on the first Hot Day of the year. So, that's a Garden. With Beer. A real garden, with grass & bushes, outside. With beer. You never see white dogshit anymore do you?

Except it was the Wagon & Horses at Millhouses. So, it's more a Beer Patio than Garden. I'll save the description of what people were wearing (& remember this is in Sheffield) for another day. The combination of lighter evenings, the Park, the fucking weather & that PATIO, had brought people out in force. The availability of an 8.6% New England IPA seemed to be less of an attraction.

They ran out of a particular branded Normal Lager glass. (Was it Amstel). While I was queuing for my beer, they were telling potential diners there was a one hour wait for food. By the time I sat down with my beer. Yes, of course in fucking side. I'm not a savage. They were telling potential diners there was a one and half hour wait for food. As I was draining my glass, they were telling potential diners that they could no longer take food orders. One lady managed to persuade them to serve her two portions of Focaccia & Olives (a pub FFS). As they required no cooking.

As the Youngsters say - Scenes.

Brew York, Nuba, New England IPA on keg at 6.6%. A thoroughly enjoyable beer. Nicely opaque. Nicely unGloopy. Fizzing & refreshing. Nice Hoppy bitterness. Which grew & grew. Without becoming overpowering. Lovely.

644/1339