I'm Only Human

Sheffield United U23 0 v Birmingham City U23 2

U23 Professional Development League, North
Played at Stocksbridge

Sheffield United Futures U21 5 v Belper Town U21 0

North Midlands Development Football League, U21 League Cup
Played at Shirecliffe

Wednesday 2 May 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Games 89 & 90

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That (disappointing) U23 game concludes the season. This is my Diary. So, forgive me, I’m going to start off with my stats. That is the nineteenth U23 League game I’ve watched this season (9 at home, 10 away). I’ve also watched six U23 Cup games (3 at home three away). That gives me a total of 25 U23 games (12 at home & 13 away).  On my travels, I’ve swept up four new grounds.

Hednesford Town (v Aston Villa)
Leyland FA (v Bolton Wanderers)
North Ferriby Utd (v Hull City)
Landore Training Ground (v Swansea City)

I’m going to give an honourable mention to a bar I’ve been in before. The superb Taproom SE18 (Hopstuff) for Charlton away. But, my U23 season has let me get to four new beer destinations that I want to give a mention to.

The Font, in Chorlton, Manchester (for Burnley away at Curzon Ashton)
The Market Ale House in Leyland (for Bolton Wanderers away at Leyland FA). Hell, if you crane your neck, you can see the turnstiles from the bar.
The Boss Brewery Bar (for Swansea City away)
The Bristol Beer Factory Tap Rooms (for Bristol City away). That felt like, just around the corner from the ground.

But, standout new beer destination of the U23 season was Furley & Co. in Hull. Ten pukka craft keg. And a great, varied selection at that. Plus five on cask.

A somewhat fractured & disjointed game. Like the First Team, it's another fizzler outer of a season. Knocked out of the Cup & missing the Play Offs last week. It wasn't much of a game. Not many chances in the First Half. But, the Young Blades did keep up a high tempo for a lot of the game. Before HT, that was mainly by having wingbacks Ferguson & Norrington-Davies pushed well forward. And, Jordan Doherty playing a very free role. Sometimes supplementing the back three. Get it. Give it. Go for it.

All that had an element of pointlessness about it. As Tyler Smith was (AGAIN) lone striker ploughing. I'm a Stephen Mallon fan. But, as end of season notes, I'll say …. he's got the skills, he's got pace over short distance, he's got increasing strength. He has to find a way of getting involved in the game more, making an impact. Has to. It's all “Too Cameo” at the moment. Clocks ticking.

At Half Time, the BlueNoses brought on an “absolute unit” as Sub. Wearing 16, not listed on the Teamsheet. The line for the Blog is …. couldn't be named on the 'sheet, only humans eligible.

AnyRoadUp, he's clattered Mallon on 50 mins. Stephen running at the defence, at pace. A lunging clattering. Ouch. He limped off very gingerly. Needed assistance. He was treated on the bench. An ice bag strapped to his left foot. Obviously not an ambulance case, but it didn't look good.

Harvey Gilmour hit the far post direct from a corner on our right just before half time. Birmingham hit a post on 57 mins. A great shot, after a surging run. Although, Utd backed off him too far.

With Oure replacing Mallon. And, trialist Michael Elstone replacing Rhys Norrington-Davies, United now went ultra attacking. Effectively three up top. Elstone had a difficult game at Swansea. He looked more at it here. His first touch was a nice heeled lay off to Harvey Gilmour. He gave it him back. But, the keeper was able to gather Elstone’s shot.

Birmingham scored two in the last ten minutes to win it. There's nowt to point to. No mistakes particularly. No tactical errors. Just two teams chasing a result in an end of season game.

While we’re at it. The Academy U18 season has also finished. I watched six home U18 League games, two away, and one away FA Youth Cup Tie. That gives me a total of nine U18 games (6 at home & 3 away).

The Futures season kicks on. That easy 5-0 win puts the Futures U21 into their Cup Final. (After the U19s won their final last night). It was five before half time for United. The Belper coach didn't take his players into the marvellously appointed Shirecliffe Academy changing rooms at HT. Presumably in protest that the ownership of Shirecliffe continues to feature in the legal wrangling between Kev and The Big Prinz. Or maybe he was just cross that they were five nil down. Anyway, Belper started much better. Firing balls over the top. Turning Utd defenders to face their own goal. Creating pressure & problems that way. Nil Nil in the second half.

Unlike Belper, I did go indoors between games. To The Wellington. No Half Time oranges, but given the timing, I thought “believable” abvs would be a good idea.

Turning Point, Avalon on cask at 3.8%.
Great lowish abv pale. Unfined & unfiltered. Lots of good stuff left in. Citrus dominates the bitterness.

Neepsend, Lacuna on cask at 3.8%.
Crystal clear. Superb condition. A nice tangy bitterness running all the way through it from start to finish & back again.

Neepsend, Blonde on cask at 4%.
A bit too sweet for my taste. Vanilla, which surprised me. Nice enough. But, I wouldn't rush back.

653/1352