Battering Ram

Nottingham Forest U18 0 v Sheffield United U18 3

U18 Professional Development League, North

Played at Wilford Lane Training Ground

Saturday 28 January 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

Right up there for days out that one.

The Football

The Blades nippers got that one over the line easily. That moves them top. Two points clear of today’s oppo Forest, and with two games in hand. 40 points from 19 games. Only beaten three times in those 19 games - won 12 of ‘em.

In the first half, United were a constant threat. They looked like they could score with every attack. It’s end to end stuff at this level (that’s why we love it). So, Forest had a few good goes themselves. But, a very early 4th minute SUFC goal from Horatio Hirst got ‘em going. And, they never looked back. We’re sticking with that Jordan Hallam to take all corners & free kicks plan. He does, of course, deliver one hell of a ball. But, he’s supposed to be one of the twin strikers an’ all. Anyway. He’s pumped one in from our deep left. Hirst has brought it down on the edge of the box & bulleted it home. Half way through the first half, Hallam poked one home after good work by Greaves. And then, in the 57th, Tyler Smith hit a great finish after a long, long & strong run with the ball. Effort of the solo variety.

A fine, all round performance, topped off by the Battering Ram style of Hirst up front. Even when the Forest defenders grabbed his shirt to stop him, he just pushed on.

The Beer

Bunkers Hill, Hockley. Front n Back, Cask v Keg Festival. Superb. Five beers, each on cask & keg. Have half of each. Put 'em up against each other. Hell, you can even vote for the winner. The Carrier Bag Firm were/are grinning from ear to ear. The beer range of that pub looks like it might be good, even without this Fesival.

Pentrich, Blossoms At Night, West Coast IPA on Keg at 6%. Molasses & sweet mandarin marmalade on the nose. Gentle mouthfeel at first, but builds into an intense almost tobacco bitterness. Lovely & balanced.

And, naturally. Pentrich, Blossoms At Night, West Coast IPA on Cask at 6%. Sweet sugar smell. Quite thin on the tongue. Nice sweetness builds to nice bitterness. The bitterness feels harsher. But, it's got lovely lingering qualities. The oranges come later.

Both great beers. The Keg took an early refreshing, chilled, full of flavour, in your face lead. But, the Cask came back stronger towards the end, with a complex set of moves. But, someone has to win - KEG.

The second place was a lovely micro up on Derby Road. Called A Room With A Brew (...sighs…). An outlet for Scribblers Ales. There was too much Carrier Bag Firm nonsense being talked for me to make proper notes. Maybe 6 or 7 on cask. Half n half Scribblers and guests.

First up was Scribbler’s Ales, Masher In The Rye on cask at 4.8%. I was hoping for a full on, full of red fruit Rye IPA. Turned out to be very pale, just a dash of alleged Rye. I was “warned” however that it was mainly Lager Malts. So, I’m not knocking it. It was pleasant enough. Needed to be more refreshing & it certainly didn’t taste or feel like a 4.8er.

Then Market Harborough, Super Hop at 4.1%. Much more my taste and full of flavour. I can however, deffo recommend A Room With A Brew.

437/900
60