168th ground

Belper Town U21 3 v Sheffield United U21 2

Thursday 18 February 2016

North Midlands Development Football League U21s Division

Twitter @ball_sup

Look, it is getting a bit gratuitous now. By my reckoning. Using my own rules. Discounting the rules used by others. Belper is the 168th different “ground” I've seen a Sheffield United XI on.

I make no excuses. And it is a pleasure to watch anything other that the 1st Team at the minute. But, my excuse is the CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival in Derby. Which gives me the opportunity of an all day session at the Festival & an evening drying out at my 168th ground with SUFC.

CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival

It was very busy in The Roundhouse. I got there half an hour after the off. And there wasn't a seat to be had. For no good reason, I decided to settle on the Porters.

Hornes, Triple Goat Porter, 4.6%.
Ayr, Rabbie’s Porter, 4.3%
Red Fox, Black Fox Porter, 4.8%
Facers, North Star Porter, 4%
RCH, Old Slug Porter, 4.5%
Vale Of Glamorgan, Dark Matter, 4.4%
Tiny Rebel, Stay Puft, 5.2%
Out There, Angara Porter, 5.5%

Not a bad one among ‘em. Turn it on its head. All good. Some smoooooth. Some with a nice bitter finish.

Arkwright’s Real Ale Bar

In Belper. Nice single room welcoming place. Foolishly, I didn't count the handpulls. Guessing about eight. I'd definitely recommend the place. I went Oakham, Citra on cask at 4.2%. Lovely. It's just a go too beer, isn't it. Ran Ales, American Pale Ale on cask at 4.5%. It was alright. Came up a bit flat & unappealing.

Belper Town FC

A very dark, black night. Under very good lights. Meant that I couldn't really see much of the ground’s surrounds. Simple two covered stand affair. Nice club house behind one stand. No cask I'm afraid. But, you don't take marks off for that. Often there just isn't the volume, frequency, footfall to justify. Marston’s New World Pale was on keg.

And, lo. You get games like this at this level. Forget the so-called quality. Feel the commitment & unpredictability. United have cruised into a two goal lead. But, down to 10 men, Belper have clawed it back to two each. And then won it in 90 +5.

The North Midlands Development Football League, U21s Division is a bit untidy. An 18 game season. Some teams have already played 10. Some as few as 6.

SUFC are 4th (of 9). 14 points from 9 games. Ilkeston are top with 21 from 10 games.

278/576