4 Trialists (joke)

Crystal Palace U21 2 v Sheffield United U21 0

Thursday 14 April 2016

U21 Professional Development League 2, North

Played at Selhurst Park

Twitter @ball_sup

Some beers just create a buzz don't they. In any other walk of life, I'd be moaning about the hype.

But, I'm all over any release of an Imperial, Double or Triple IPA. Note to self. Be less judgemental.

Anyway, my trip Deep Saaarf meant I could hit Magic Rock Brewing UnHuman Cannonball on keg at 11%. I wasn't the only hunter. Given the number of hunter punters in The Craft Beer Co., Islington at 1605 on a Wednesday afts. Salute.

Quite citrus at first, going grapefruit. Before the bitterness kicks in. Deep. But, doesn't absolutely grab you by the throat.

I'm putting that second best in the Beer Buzz awards. Behind Cloudwater DIPA V3 on keg at 9%. I'd tracked that down at the BrewDog AGM in Aberdeen at the weekend. Right. That's enough Beer Porn.

United were in that game for long periods. Although, they were killed off a bit by the second goal. Diego, first team fringer Brooks & trialist Ndjoli had chances. But, couldn't put them away.

The lurch to the 2nd Play Off spot continues. We already have 54 points. If Hull win all their final three games, they'll end up on 54. So, we're saying the Blades U21 still need a point for the Play Offs.

And. Essentially, that's NOT a promotion Play Off. As the League is regionalised, the top two in The North play off with the top two in The South to decide one overall winner. If (as we should) we finish 2nd in the North we're likely to have a one leg play off away at Charlton.

So, let's get The Joke out of the way first. Four Trialists out there for SUFC. You know. Given that Diego De Girolamo is on permanent trial. He was bright at times. Switched on. Worked for his mates & put some passes in. He had one good swivel turn and shot saved.

Nathaniel Oseni played as a conventional centre half alongside Callum Semple. Oseni had the best game of the three trialists on show. Organised. Vociferous. He got more & more into it. Characterised by storming & strong runs out of defence with the ball at his feet. Oseni is/was in the Man City system. But, you know, we've got a centre back production line already. Tel, Semple, Banton. Sam Berry has had to go elsewhere. But, the fella Oseni had a good, uncomplicated game.

Second best was Mikael Ndjoli. Essentially played up top alongside Diego. He had a very bright spell at the start of the 2nd half. Maybe Travis had got in his ear in the dressing rooms. At times in the first half, he was locked up by the Palace defenders. He'd try & turn, but the more experienced defender would be on his case.

At the start of the 2nd half Ndjoli had a great effort saved by the keeper as he  tried to curl it into top corner. He even had a volley chance from the resulting corner. Finally, Mikael whipped a good cross in. But, Semple couldn't get good contact on it.

Seems he is/was in the Millwall system. Stories on the Interweb linking him to Arsenal & (bizarrely) today's opponents Palace.

And. Nassim L’Ghoul. He started in midfield wide right. With fellow left footer David Brooks wide left. L’Ghoul was all left foot. Attempting to be tricky. They did switch him at times to wide left. Most of the time, he was looking to get hold of it & dribble, intricately. Most of the time the Palace fellas were able to just nick it off him. He had a few go down in a tackle histrionics. Not here mate.

It's a No from me.

Palace let us in one of the Hospitality bars. The Wright And Bright bar. Fair. Play. Rude not to. A bottle of Wolf Brewery, Palace Ale at 4.2%. Lovely drop.

And then. My Old Stomping Ground. I lived in SE19 for ten years. Up to 1993. The superb Beer Rebellion bang opposite Gipsy Hill station. An outlet for Late Knights brewery. A modern one room, shopfront affair. Five on cask. And six on keg. Some of their own & some guests.

I went Late Knights, Wormcaster IPA on cask at 5%. Light tan in colour. Dry. Some nice grass & hay. Quite a neat bitter finish which kicks in early. Grows & finishes well. Lingers.

So. A resounding recommendation for Beer Rebellion & Late Knights.

Still need a point…..

301/632