Full Blown Right Hander

Rotherham United U23 1 v Sheffield United U23 4

The Central League Cup, North, Group 1

Wednesday 4 January 2017

Played at Parkgate

Twitter @ball_sup

Huzzah. My 50th Sheffield United XI game of the season. All age groups, inc Futures, all competitions, including friendlies. And, on the 185th different “ground” I've seen a United XI on. This time, up at Parkgate FC, Roundwood Sports Centre. The Pavilion bar was open. A multiroom affair. Upstairs, overlooking what I take to be the Rotherham United Academy training pitches. (That is, not overlooking the enclosed pitch the game was played on). No cask beer up there. Understandable.

The pre match Carrier Bag Firm chatter ranged widely & wildly. But, naturally, included speculation as to if & when the inevitable Red Mist would descend on Jake Wright Jnr. The young fella got an early opportunity. The Rotherham defender clearly felt Jake had stood on him. He got up. And gave Jake a full blown right hander to the back of his head. Indeed, maybe even kicked him when he was on the deck.

I don't know what the Ref saw. Wright needed treatment. United got a free kick. But, a full blown right hander. If he's seen that. Should have been Red.

Wright, to his credit, basically got on with it. And, he's ended up with two goals. Could easily have had a Hat Trick on a different day. The first, a neat swivel and left foot shot from about the penalty spot. The second, a simple tap in after the Rotherham keeper gifted the ball to Jordan Hallam. Who composed himself & squared it.

For the fourth, Wright’s shot was beaten out. Gilmour put the rebound away well. Not an easy chance by any means. Before that, David Brooks had curled a left footed free kick into the bottom corner.

Three at the back at times. Graham, Semple & Kelly. Jake Bennett (first time I've seen him) & Stephen Mallon doing the Wingback thing. Reed & Slater (particularly) buzzing around, breaking play & getting box to box. Lots of attacking intent. Bossed it.

That's three wins from three in the group stage. Only one left to play.

Bad Seed Brewery, Seed Of Hope, West Coast IPA on keg at 7% in The Sheffield Tap. Sweet crystallised ginger smell. But very citrus in the mouth. A bit disappointing. A grassy dry bitterness kicks in. But, it just doesn't seem rich enough. There's a bit of intensity & a finish. It feels undercooked.

Gun Brewery, Extra Pale on cask at 3.9%. Vegan beer that. They're not wrong. That is exceedingly pale in the glass. Nothing particularly powerful in the smell. But, bursts with flavour. More upfront hop bitterness than I'd expected. A hint of sour apple amongst the mouth filling citrus. A lot going on there. Great beer at under 4%.

The Tapped Brew Co, S*M*A*S*H on cask at 3.9%. A nice mix that. Partly malt driven. Partly hops. For my taste, it pulls up too sweet. Although, credit. It's a nice gentle toffee, even Parkin, sweetness. There's a tobacco bitterness just behind the sweetness. It's all there. In balance. It just ain't got me drooling.

427/876
50