Starting XI

Buxton 2 v Sheffield United XI 3
(billed as U21)

Wednesday 5 August 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Buxton Tap House

No apologies. That was a self indulgent day. This is what pre season was made for. A beer destination in a place we'll never get to in a league game. I went to The Buxton Tap. Essentially, there were 12 on. Although that included duplicates on cask/keg. I've swerved the Tap House Lager & gone through the rest of the card. My XI in best to worst order was;

Buxton, Axe Edge (Cask) 6.8%
Buxton, Axe Edge (Keg) 6.8%
Buxton, Red Point (Keg) 7.5%
Buxton, Moor Top  (Cask) 3.6%
Buxton, Wild Boar (Keg) 5.7%
Buxton, Spa (Keg) 4.1%
Buxton, Spa Unfined (Cask) 4.1%
Buxton/Toøl, Sky Mountain (Keg) 4.9%
Buxton, Experimental (Keg) 5.9%
Buxton, Bitter Recognise (Cask) 6.7%
Buxton, Pic Tor (Keg) 6.3%

The Pic Tor was billed as Sour & Passion Fruit. Deffo not to my taste. I can drink Sour beers. Both the Experimental (Sour IPA Blend) & Sky Mountain (Imperial Dry Hopped Berliner Weisse) had "some sourness". But the Pic Tor was just too much. I'm not sure who these messed up beers are supposed to appeal to. I visited Wall Still Up East Berlin in the mid 80s. I had Berliner Weisse in situ. But, look at that Sky Mountain. Imperial Dry Hopped this that other. Too far mate.

I won't knock it too much. I'm the beneficiary of messing up. Black IPA remains one of my favourite styles. But, too far mate. The Sky Mountain actually tasted alright. I'd happily have it again. I couldn't really discern the alleged bits. It's the description, the intention that's gone too far.

Indeed, Pic Tor aside, I enjoyed 'em all.  The cask Axe Edge just nipped the keg in the cask v keg challenge. It is a superb beer. I was backing the keg. But, the cask seemed a bit richer in the taste. Deeper somehow. The Red Point was billed as Red IPA. That too was glorious. I assume the Red is from the malt bill. It too was rich, chewy. Date, sultana sweetness. But not overpowering.

Pre Season Wrap

Anyway. Unless some game uncovers itself by Saturday, that's pre season over. Eleven games for me. I feel I've done it justice. So, eleven beers at my eleventh game feels like a bit of closure. The awards go;

Best Clubhouse. Step forward Penistone Church. Three on handpull.

Mentioned in despatches. Gainsborough Trinity. That Mordue, Northumbrian Blonde was superb.

(No cask in the Clubhouse today at Buxton)

The game

I was a bit disappointed with United. But, fair play, they've stuck at it & turned it over in the end. It's gone all handbags & windmills at the end. Morgan has ditched the snarling. But gone all pompous high horse. He's told the ref "don't you tell me to be quiet". At volume. With sweary bits. Poor when you're representing the club. Different matter at The Lane, with 18k in. But, everyone on the ground must have heard his bullying. Small transgression. I'm not gonna saw him off. But, poor.

Diego is not going forward. I've seen him stamp all over an U21 game. Not here & not recently. He's good at nicking the ball to take penalties mind. He can't build a career on that. Went down with "cramp" near the end. Subbed & miraculous recovery.

Jake Wright was anonymous in the first half. Banton & Evans were patient & solid throughout. I'm liking that. And David Brooks was quick & accurate & consistent.

182/379