Cross To Cantrill

Charlton Athletic U23 1 v Sheffield United U23 0

U23 Professional Development League

Monday 23 April 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 85

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That defeat blows the Young Blades Play Off chances. Connor Hall’s Bolton have secured a berth. And, it'll be one of Nottingham Forest or Sheffield Wednesday for the other spot. Crystal Palace & Charlton have qualified for the Play Offs from the Southern Group. However, Utd U23 still have it all going on - a semi final of the national knockout U23 Cup - called the Premier League Cup. Although rumours are rife, there is still officially no date for that SF away at Swansea.

I see that Hopstuff Brewery now have three Taprooms. One opening in May, in Ashford. One in SE8 - let's call it Deptford. However, today, we've made a repeat visit to Taproom SE18 - in The Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. It's a very good set up. A handful of handpulls. And, a double handful of craft keg lines. All nicely mixed between their own stuff & guests.

Hopstuff, Renegade IPA on keg at 5.6%.
There was a lot of malt sugar on that one. Which made it taste quite nice. Not sickly sweet. But, Man, where was the Hop Action.

Wylam, Last Shot At Heaven, Quad Hop Pale on keg at 5.3%.
Some tinned pineapple came through. It's full of flavour. But, the Hops don't seem to be adding much bitterness.

Tiny Rebel & Siren Craft Brew Collab, Didgeridank, Double IPA on keg at 8.4%.
Gloopy. But a very good hit of Hop Forward bitterness. Effervescent & refreshing. Bitterness lingers & lingers. Great beer.

That was a nip & tuck game. But, I felt Charlton were just about worth it. They took a well worked goal. Hit a post. And had other chances. SUFC were right in it though. Trialist Olly Crankshaw hit the foot of the post with a header with just 10 left. Travis chucked the lot at it near the end. Pushing wingbacks all the way - well in front of the midfield. Encouraging Centre Backs to get forward & stay forward. We also had a number of back stick chances. Crosses or shots, don't care, someone, anyone needed to get something on one of 'em.

I'll give a special mention to George Cantrill at this point. I'm tempted to say Poor George Cantrill. He seemed to be there or thereabouts on four or five balls across the box in a short period in the first half. He took one right old Binnion rant on the chin, as he failed to quite make enough ground to get on one. Poor fella. Anyway, you've got to buy a pint to get shitfaced. Credit George for going at it. Up. Down. Non stop the Young 'Un. He had an awful lot of the ball. His GPS Tracker must have needed it's own fucking NASA Satellite.

Sam Graham was around. But, only made the bench. Pressed into service on 70. Sam replaced Harvey Gilmour, who had taken a knock in the build up to Charlton's goal. Callum Semple had gone off five minutes beforehand. Utd had started with Jordan Doherty as the centre of a back three with Ferguson & Semple. In the first half, it was a little tricky to see exactly what they were doing up top & attacking midfield. Tyler Smith looked like a lone striker at times. And, he was constantly getting dragged wide right to get possession. Fair do. He's a threat coming off that wing at pace. But, it was mainly his cross shots which were being nearly George Cantrill'ed at the rear of two sticks.

I think they'd had a Council Of War at HT. We were set up & playing much further up the park as the 2nd kicked off. Trialist Olly Crankshaw (Colne FC) had another lively game (see Crewe away Blog). He was part of the assist effort for United's first real chance on 14 mins. Robbing his man & working it well to & with Ty Smith. Before the inevitable cross maybe shot vaguely in George Cantrill's direction. Just before HT, Crankshaw linked up well with Harvey Gilmour & got a long range shot off which was blocked.

Taking his cue from Trav’s minor strop throwing at Cantrill, Ty Smith had a right old go at Crankshaw on 78. Yeah, alright, maybe Olly was a bit greedy & could have played Ty in. Greedy strikers/attacking mids ain't always a bad thing. Tyler has gone proper garrity though. All in the game.

The second trialist, Luke Yates, presumed Alvechurch, has been a bit off the pace. Don't get me wrong. He had a couple of moments. Got a good shot off from the edge of the box just before half time. But, overall, he didn't stand out & struggled to make an impact.

Charlton bagged it on 62. A well worked cross field move got worked our wide right. It looks like he's got a side foot tap in. But, Hugo Warhust has done really well. He got an awful lot of contact on it. But, basically, the ball has held up just short of the line. And he's rolled it in on the second attempt.

647/1343