Two Shirt, Two Goal Hero

Chesterfield 0 v Sheffield United XI 5
Pre Season Friendly
Tuesday 23 July 2019

Matlock Town 0 v Sheffield United XI 3
Pre Season Friendly
Tuesday 30 July 2019

SUFC 2019/20 Games 7 & 8

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Oooohhh how did he do Phil? The French fella who smashed the transfer record. How did he do? Poor. Lys Mousset made his Sheffield United Shirt debut 62 minutes into that friendly at Matlock Town. He replaced a very lively Ravel Morrison, who had been knocking long & short balls all over the gaff, all night. Lys gave the ball away early in his stint. And showed no interest in getting it back. He got clattered & moaned like fuck for a bit. He was slipped in on the edge of the box on 70 minutes & air kicked it nowhere. (That looked comical horrendous btw). The main word cropping up in my notes about him is "again". As in he's lost it. Initially, he went further up top than Leon Clarke. Subsequently, he dropped deep, so that both Mark Duffy & Harry Boyes were advanced on him. No drama. I don't know the kid. I'm more familiar with his PriceTag. It's pre season. It's a makeshift side of new lads, fringers, on the way outers, shop windowers & genuine development kids. Most of whom have never met each other, let alone played together. On that history, I will not judge the future. But, he was poor.

Don't dwell kiddos. Many positives out there. I felt that was a good, committed workout for the Blades. The game was played at pace. And, United deserved that win. Really, it should have been more. Heneghan, Stearman and Wright set up as the three. Freeman out right & Harry Boyes out left. Kean Bryan & Reece York busy, busy, busy taking it off them & the keeper. Duffy in a more attacking role. At first, it looked like Morrison & Leon Clarke up top. But, often, Morrison was bossing midfield, with Lone Leon up top. One thing to note there is Bryan in midfield. Whereas we've normally seen him in a back three. I've said it before, and elsewhere, he looks calm & comfortable on the ball. (Scored the third while I was in the Boy's Room). I like him.

Ravel Morrison started well & shone for all the 62 minutes before his planned substitution. Constantly looking for the ball. Never afraid to go with the Hollywood cross field ball. (Normally to Freeman). But, I thought he was best playing quick, instinctive & incisive shorter balls. On 11, there was a great move involving Boyes & the overlapping Wright on the left. They worked it inside to Morrison, he intelligently squared it to Reece York. Reece got his shot off, forcing the keeper to make a great save. Two minutes later, Morrison played a superb ball right into Leon's stride. He took it on & rifled it home for his second. Morrison nearly scored himself on 17, a neat free kick needing a superb palm out save by the keeper to his left.

If Harry Boyes & Reece York didn't enjoy that out there, they shouldn't be footballers. It looked a hoot. Boyes was popping up all over the shop. The nominal left wingback, overlapping down the right on a good few occasions. Often in the box as well. I'll say "easy night". But, you make your own fun. Harry had a great shot that hit the post on 60 minutes. You know what, he's got something. I really enjoyed watching him tonight. Ditto York, who I have mentioned already. Buzzing around. Taking responsibility. I know. Friendly. Matlock. But, Reece didn't look out of place out there. He took a right old clattering in the second half. As players ran towards "the action" from all angles to leave an impression, Reece just hobbled away & left them to it. Nice attitude Pal.

Leon Clarke scored the opening two goals. He could/should have had a Hat Trick and a Hat Full. Class act. Played with number 43 on his back the first half. And number 31 the second half. Why? Because Leon. Mark Duffy didn't do much wrong. But, it felt a bit subdued from him. Just in patches he was buzzing. Linking particularly well with Morrison at times. Only a point blank save by the Matlock keeper on 39 minutes kept him from scoring. 

There was nothing at all flat about the first half performance from United. Committed, buzzing, intelligent. Things went off the boil a bit in the second half. Matlock got back into it. But, Heneghan, Stearman & Wright and Marcus dealt with the few threats that came their way.

I missed an opportunity in the Clubhouse. Bottles of Matlock Town badged March Of The Gladiators. Brewed by Hilltop Brewery, Tansley. I was Royally pissed off when I realised. However. Fuller's, cricket branded Sticky Wicket on cask at 4.7% surprised me a bit. In a very good way. Nice & bright, with a herby, grassy bitterness which drew me in from the off.

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