Number two number one

England U17 2 v Israel U17 1

UEFA European Under 17 Championship
Group A

Played at Chesterfield FC

Friday 4 May 2018

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UEFA U17 football comes at an appealing time of year. Right at one season end. Not interfering with club pre season for the next. So, as it's in my backyard, why not? Sheffield United interest is provided by goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst. Unfortunately, he's not the number one number one. So, whether we'll see him down the track, not sure.

Our warm ups were in the Chesterfield Alehouse on West Bars. Straightforward & welcoming Micropub. (Although, when I went to the Gents, I noticed there was a seating area upstairs as well). Roughly a handful each of Cask & Keg. We had a bit of a touch as the handpulls had been turned over to a “festival” of Errant & Box Social beers. I had one from each. Both were spectacularly Unfined & Unfiltered. Looking glorious. Both were in superb condition. The head holding. Lacing down the glass as you got into it. The juxtaposition of a hazy beer, but tasting as bright as a thing used to do your shirt up.

Errant Brewery, Clever Girl on cask at 4.1%.
Smells gorgeous, lots of citrus. Some Hoppy bitterness upfront. Well put together beer.

Box Social Brewing, MXPA on cask at 4.5%.
Thin mouthfeel. Some nice salad leaf bitterness straight up.

As the UEFA U17 players are too young to go out for a drink after, we thought we'd help them out. Our roadtrip had us arriving at Birmingham New Street at 2300. We hit Kilder, a new bar, only opened a fortnight. Must say. I was very surprised. My Brum Geog is sketchy. So, I hadn't quite realised it'd be on quite such a grim backstreet. Tucked very much out of the way. And, they must have spent a good bit on that. A very nice railway arch refurb. Tiles, chrome, wood - modern office chic. And a great keg beer list.

It is rare that a “taster” makes me react. Blasphemy. I sipped it. I Oh Christed.

Wander Beyond Brewing, Illicium on keg at 10%

My first reaction was Ice Cream. I looked up at the board, to be reminded, it's an Imperial Milkshake IPA. Lactosed to within an inch of its life.

I'll not write too much about the game. But, here's some colour. The reality of hosting an international tournament came to Chesterfield tonight. Some people parading a large Palestinian flag, on a deliberately long pole, outside the ground. So, that when they waved it, it was clearly visible to us inside the ground. Naturally, I have my own politics. I'm not going into them here. I took what I could get from this “Palestinian Protest”. What I took was Fuck UEFA.

654/1354