Run Ragged

Port Vale 2 v Sheffield United 1

League 1

Saturday 3 October 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Firstly, a salute to Titanic Brewery. We were planning an assault on their Sample Room. (We drank there last time out). I checked with them during the week. Asked them what time they were expecting to open. On our way to Longport on the train, they had the good grace to contact me & let me know they couldn’t open due to illness. In honour of that, we decided to spend all afternoon in The Bulls Head. That is effectively their Brewery Tap in Burslem. Two separate bar areas & a BBQ/Beer Garden. Lots on. Their own and guest on cask. Maybe 8 or 9. Their own on keg & a pukka guest keg.

The Outstanding Beer of the Day was Titanic, Plum Porter on cask at 4.9%. It continues to win beer festival awards all over the place. And, IMHO, rightly so. It is the richness without sweetness that wins it. I also really enjoyed the Titanic, MAP (Mid-Atlantic Pale) on keg at 4.5%. Nice and hoppy and bitter, but also zingy & refreshing. Surely that’s an excellent Carling Converter. “I like it cold & fizzy”.

I also had Titanic, Steerage on cask at 3.8%.

In a way, it seems pointless coming to Burslem & not tucking into Titanic. From experience, I thoroughly recommend both the Sample Room & The Bulls Head.

An odd game that. At times, United were run ragged. Accurate, quick, link up play. Getting it forward to the man at pace. Gonna work. Couple that with United’s slow, ponderous stuff. And the “where is he now” isolation of the forwards. We never really seemed to get going. It just seemed to be them coming at us. But, they did claw a Matt Done consolation at the death. And, harp had an excellent chance from yards as Sammon swept one in for him. OK, good stop by the keeper. But, Sharp also missed the best opportunity at Burton in the week. He’s got to put these home.

Anyway, Port Vale dominated. Anything other than a win would have been robbery. Terry Kennedy got on. But, the changes only gee’ed ‘em up for ten. Basically, they made little difference. Looks a long way to Automatic Promotion from here.

216/438