A Game, Remember Them

Sheffield United Community Foundation U19 4 v Tranmere Rovers Sports Football College U19 2 

National Football Youth League North Premier Division 

Wednesday 16 December 2020 

Football With Fans Game #19 

SUFC 2020/21 GAME ONE #1 

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I fucking enjoyed that. A game featuring a United XI, at a level I'm used to & have been to before. Let's call it SUFC Futures. The lads played really well. Some great skills on display. Romped into a three nil lead at half time. But, Tranmere got back into it & United were just holding on at the end as Tranmere looked for the equaliser. On 90+5, a United breakaway, with Tranmere fully committed up top, added that fourth. Great day out.

There's a number of ways of calling that. Let's be positive. Let's call that United's D Team. The A Team play in the Premier League. B play in the U23 Professional Development League. C play in the U18 Professional Development League. And, then there's these varmints playing in the National Football Youth League (North Premier). These are College Kids. Studying under the banner of the Sheffield United Community Foundation, Football & Education Academy.

Doing BTECs/Diplomas/Foundation Degrees/etc in Sports/Science/Coaching/etc. And with a proper, full on, football fixture list against kids linked to other football clubs. You get a qualification. And a United kit & badge to play in on a Wednesday. Living the dream. That's the fucking club right there. No contract hold outs. No shall we break the wage structure. No new strikers in the January Window. No fucking NOISE. Eleven v Eleven. Kids. Dreaming. Inject it into my veins right after the Covid-19 Vaccine.

The National Football Youth League attempts to bridge the gap between, on the one hand, College football &, on the other hand, Professional Club Academy football. It provides a pathway into professional football. Today, I've seen the lad, who is trying to be Antwoine Hackford, so he can be Zak Brunt, so he can be Regan Slater, so he can be Rhian Brewster, so he can be Billy Sharp. Yes, that lad. 

A pathway for lads like Joseph Bacon who, in September, was asked to step up from this team and train with Del Geary and the U18 Academy lads at Shirecliffe. 

Over the years, sixty young 'uns who played in the National Football Youth League went on to sign professional terms. Including ex Blade John Brayford, who played in the NFYL under the Burton Albion Community programs. And including ex Blade Academy Graduate CJ Hamilton, who played in the NFYL under the Watford Community programs. The Poster Boy & League Ambassador for the NFYL is Britt Assombalonga. After being binned out at Nottingham Forest, Britt got a place on Watford's Education & Football scheme & played for Watford in the NFYL. Eventually successfully trialling for Watford's Academy & signing pro terms. More recently, Britt (a Congolese International) played over 100 games for 'Boro.

Right. Dear reader. I now need you to look away while I personally address the Carrier Bag Firm, who are currently bored shitless reading all these #FACTS.

NO, there weren't any fucking teamsheets. Get a life……

For the Civilians who are still with me, that means I can only explain today's game by shirt numbers. Not by names unfortunately. I was whoooopily impressed by the quality on display. Both teams were well organised & comfortable on the ball. ALWAYS looking to play rather than hot potato get rid. Long balls were invariably at channel runners rather than hopeful Hail Mary's. In the first half particularly, United were really mixing it up. Happy to play through the midfield (shoutout #4) & link up to the forwards. Happy to play to feet outside. Happy to run with the thing & come inside & make you exclaim gloriously "where's he fucking off to now" (shoutout #2).

He's my striker, he's my Number #9, scored at both ends of the game. Superb on 2 minutes, great with both feet. He got the ball inside right, came across the defender towards the penalty spot, and knocked it in left footed. On 90+5, with the Birkenheadites chasing the equaliser, #9 capitalised on a bit of space, and a bit of a defensive kerfuffle to seal it with the fourth.

His consecutive numbered mucker #10 also looked a ticket. Playing slightly withdrawn, he was very effective. He scored United's second on 23 minutes. But, got a real belter on 35. #10 started the move, sweeping it out inch perfect into space wide left. A decent enough ball into the mixer, #9 turned it into a bit of pinball. And Tenny, arriving a bit later, but right on time, hit it home. My notes say, and I proclaim - a number of times, #10 hits a perfectly weighted ball to……

Really, up until minute 55, United were well on top. I don't know what it was, I don't think they ran out of steam, but slowly, monkey catching style, the Warriors from The Wirral got back into it. More possession, a few chances. Three one on 56. Three two on 72. And, here we go for that classic finish.

But. Now. A reality check in what has inevitably been a stop start NFYL season. That, fairly convincing performance, was the first win in seven games for these Classroom Blades. They've conceded FIVE (v Burnley), SIX twice (v Newcastle United & v Barnsley) and EIGHT v Carlisle United. Mad League. Some teams have played 2, some 9. That win puts United 9th of 12. For what it's worth.

A great day deserves a great beer. The pubs are shut, where've you been?

The selected tin is:

Verdant Brewing Co x DEYA Brewing Company

Degrees, Double IPA, Amarillo & Loral Hops in the whirlpool, double dry hopped with Citra & Simcoe, coming in at 8%.

Just the right amount of juice. Steers well clear of sticky & cloying. Man, it doesn't taste up to it's 8. That's dangerous. Not bittered into oblivion. Easily drinkable. Great balance. A classic put you to sleeper. Dreaming of a Pathway to the First Team.

Stats

I have now Blogged from 936 games in 2,311 days

NB - these line ups added at a later date to the original Blog