The Bar is open

Sheffield United U21 1 v Leeds United U21 1

Friday 12 February 2016

Professional Development League 2, North

Played at Stocksbridge Park Steels

Twitter @ball_sup

A nice beer day that. It can be a bit hit or miss whether the Club House bar will be open for afternoon games. It was. I've gotta support it. Use it. Or lose it.

Today it was Bradfield Brewery, Farmers Peach Ale at 3.8%. I presume they put fruit, or fruit syrup in it. Nice though. Enhances rather than dominates. Session strength. Easy drinking. The fruit tones smooth everything out.

Onwards to Shakespeares.

And then. The other end of the scale. A Mad Dog, BrewDog Collab. K9 Triplephenia on cask at a whopping 7%. I was a bit disappointed if I'm honest. I liked the abv kick. Not enough sweetness  (for what is partly billed as a Belgian Trippel style).

Much better was the First Chop, US Hops Ultra Pale Ale on cask at 4.1%. Floral & fruity. With a nice hop bitter kick. A bit thin. But a nice beer.

Finished with a Raw, Independence American Pale Ale on cask at 4.1%. Plain & simple. A bit too much malt maybe.

The U21s had a game the previous Monday. The first team the day after. And another U21 game scheduled for Monday. That makes team selection tricky. Understandably, they've ended up with a very young side today. And that made it hard.

Although they weren't overrun, Leeds have battered us really. They've had lots of possession. Got it wide a lot. Got balls in. But, were piss poor in front of goal.

With fairly experienced Shea Gordon on the right. Back from injury Kieran Wallace on the left. Replaced by fairly experienced Graham Kelly at Half Time. It was disappointing how easy Leeds found it to get wide. Particularly on our right. But, they couldn't make it count.

Indeed. The Young Blades really could  have held out & nicked it. A nice bit of composure from David Brooks. A defensive kerfuffle left the keeper stranded. Instead of the usual chip. Brooks just had a good look at the canvas & rolled it on.

Sort of false impression at the top. We stay second. But, we've played 2 games more than Huddersfield. Fair play though. We're keeping ahead/pulling away from the chasing pack. Eight points ahead of Hull (from a game more).

275/570