Second best

Sheffield United U23 2 v Middlesbrough U23 4

Whitby Town Challenge Cup “Semi Final”

Played at Whitby Town

Wednesday 25 July 2018

SUFC 2018/19 Game 8

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That is the 210th different ground I’ve seen a Sheffield United XI play on. Basically, United got found out & pulled this way & that by a better Middlesbrough side. There are “two excuses”. One, it is worth remembering that Middlesbrough are at the level above our Academy. They play in Premier League 2, Division 2. Indeed, last year, Boro qualified for the Play Offs out of that League - after finishing fourth. Secondly, the phase that United are in, older experienced lads out on loan playing “Men’s” football. That means Shirecliffe resources are light & we’re digging deep.

Kyron Gordon anchored the back of three - he turned 16 in May. That is where we are. Not excuses, explanations. Boro played quick accurate counter attacking football. And, they had us all over the shop. Consistently & continually. That said - they learn shit at Shirecliffe. They learn how to concentrate, how to keep at it, they learn to groan, but not moan. We weathered an early storm. Nabbed a goal. Had a good spell. Fell behind to a mad three goals in 5 minutes spell at the end of the first half. Came again. Had a good spell. Dragged it back to 3-2 down. Had them rocking a bit. But, ultimately….. No.

In the circumstances, it might be worth mentioning the more experienced players, who are still here, and need to step up. Tyler Smith & David Parkhouse started the first half up top. Different types of strikers. Tyler is quick & nippy, give him a yard & he’ll punish you. He’s been credited with both goals. The first on 16mins. He was fed the ball in the inside right channel. He cleverly let it run past him & he turned well & rolled his shot past the keeper. His second on 58 came from a pumped cross field ball which found (nominal left wing back) Stephen Mallon deep in the penalty area. I thought he did very well to put a dink header back into the mixer. There was a bit of a kerfuffle. Defenders getting summat on it - and it transpires, Tyler getting the final scramble.

In general, the U two threes just look livelier when Tyler is on & at it. David Parkhouse is more of an up & at ‘em target man. Bustling, knocking defenders, getting some hang time, trying to flick on. Simple - he needs to score more goals. That’s what makes you stick out at this level if you’re a striker. When the subs were made - (presumed still triallist) Karsten Ayong went up top with Jordan Hallam. That’s the first time I’ve seen Hallam back after his spell at Viking Stavanger in Norway. I ain’t doing all the research. But, a cursory look has the stats as three starts, plus came on twice as a sub, no goals. Jordan is also a quick nippy, not tall & targety, striker. Run the channels. Fox in the box. Dead ball specialist. Once he was on, all the corners & free kicks were left to him.

And, I’m going to say something about Stephen Mallon. He, Travis, Dungworth, me, someone has to decide what to do with him. His nickname could be “not suited”. He’s not suited to a role up top - alongside a target man. He’s not suited to the left wing back role. He has the skill. He needs the discipline. Stay in games. Make a difference. Don’t drift. I’m not blaming him specifically - but all three goals in that mad 5 minutes came down our left - his side. I’m not privy. Maybe Travis had told him to have a roving role at times - because that is what it looked like. a) have the discipline to play your position. b) have the skill & power to impact games in a roving role. Which is it Lads?

Boro were good. At times, the game was being played in our half. Players were getting knocked off the ball. Defenders were getting dragged out of position.

When United were back in the game, we were composed & tidying up well - but we couldn’t sustain that for anything other than short periods.

Currently, I’m concentrating on visiting Breweries until the end of July. That’s when I’ll find out where I stand in the Brewdog Beer Geek Brewery Hopper awards. If I place well, then I think I’ll have a season keeping at it - trying to get to as many Breweries as possible. It’s going to be very, very difficult to find one with a better setting than Whitby Brewery. Perched up the top of the 199 steps. (The Carrier Bag Firm were asking me about them, I refused to call them anything other than “the roughly 200”). The big brewery doors open with a view straight onto the ruined Abbey. A courtyard, or you can sit amongst the (wooden fronted) tanks and vessels on cushions placed on casks. The small bar front is just to one side. Four on cask (& I think their own brand/brew lager).

The pick of the ones I had was

Whitby Brewery, Abbey Blonde on cask at 3.8%. Nice & refreshing. Floral, rather than bitter, hoppiness. Well balanced.

690/1436