Keepers AOTS

Curzon Ashton 4 v Sheffield United 1
(Billed as Development Squad)

Tuesday 2 August 2016

Pre Season Friendly

Twitter @ball_sup

George Long. Aaron Ramsdale. Jake Eastwood. Josh Perryman.

Yet United are trialing young keepers. (Well, they are if my Googling skills are up to it). I was at Maltby on Saturday, not Gainsborough. A Tom Dawson played in goal for the SUFC Development Squad at Gainsborough. Every reason to assume that is the 18 year old young man from Middlesbrough’s system. He played UEFA Youth League last season.

Tonight at The Nash, it was Tom Dyche’s turn. Assumed to be the 17 year old from Stoke’s system.

Look. I'm a develop players, stick them in sort of guy. I know Long has his critics. I know Long has his faults. But, I'd persevere.

So. Let the rumours begin here. United are trialing young keepers. Because they intend to stick with Long. And push Ramsdale up to the bench. And they need new young blood to fill in the Development Squads behind them.

Love a good rumour me.

Come on. No. Come on. I'm trying to keep a Beer Hunting, Pub Crawling, Ground Hopping thing going here.

Browton’s Bottle Shop & Beer Parlour, Ashton-under-Lyne.
Bridge Beers Bottle Shop & Micropub, Stalybridge.

Both closed Mondays. Come on….

Otherwise. Good opportunity to have a little bit of a gratuitous romp around. I traveled via Manchester. So it's The Piccadilly Tap between trains. Very quiet. Even though it'd just turned 4pm. The fella was working on the blackboard as I arrived. It's looking like 5 cask, then maybe one three 13 Craft Keg & a couple of Lager, Pilsners. Gotta love that craft keg range. Looked like some real winners.

I cross checked my list. Might as well have some newer stuff. Which turned out to be Magic Rock, Inhaler on keg at 4.5%. Packed full of flavour. But, we're at the fruitier end of the spectrum. There is just enough bitterness to keep you honest.

In a good way, it's like the Brewer has tried to make fruit juice without fruit. I'm guessing it's a simplistic malt bill & lots of varied hops. I don't like Tea. But, I did get a bit of tea leaf straight up. Then a bit of drying. Then, it's difficult to see past “grapefruit”. But, it sweetens a bit at the end.

Vocation, Pride & Joy on keg at 5.3%. Washing up liquid citrus first up. I don't mind describing it like that. Pleasant, reassuring, familiar. Again, all about the citrus tones. Very cleansing, refreshing. Some nice sharpness at the end.

Train to Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar. Maybe 9 on cask. Good range. I had First Chop Brewing Arm, Sun on cask at 4%. Super that. I love my keg beers. But, that Real Ale has knocked them. Lovely & golden in the glass. Gentle on the tastebuds. But, refreshing & moreish.

Only real consolation for the Young Blades was a nice worked substitute goal. Substitute Alex Brown worked it down the right. Put a lovely ball in. And substitute Connor Hall scored with a powerful & well directed header.

My 177th ground watching an SUFC XI. Using the any bit of grass counting method.

My diary suggests that's the end of my pre season non-league ground hopping. So, it's time for the Annual Ball Sup Army Clubhouse of July/August award.

Another well appointed Clubhouse here at Curzon Ashton. Bright, clean, etc. But, no cask. No discernible bottles.

So, no surprise. The winners are Glossop North End for that lovely Howard Town Brewery, Longdendale Lights. Plus some different Howard Town bottles behind the bar. Salute.

344/742
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