Superb Goal

Sheffield United U23 2 v Stoke City U23 2

Premier League Cup Group H

Played at Bramall Lane

Wednesday 25 January 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

What a superb goal from Jordan Hallam. The best I’ve seen from any United player, any level, for ages. It really did deserve to win the game. But, not to be. David Brooks came inside on The Blades left. He knocked it hard and accurately to Hallam who was in the D, bang centre. He was moving slightly towards Brooks, with his back to the corner flag. He’s let the ball come across him. Which has partly fooled the defender. Perfect first touch with his right peg to push it goalwards - into the box, but again, bang centre. And, he’s banged it home. Superb.

He could have looked the hero if we’d held on. But, actually, they were only in it because of Ramsdale. Who made save after save. Long range. Short range. Instinctive. Out with his feet, Etc. Although to be fair he made a right Ball Sup for their first goal. Graham played a horrendous back pass. Hard & wide to Rammers left. He’s run it down to prevent the corner. Kept it in, but knocked it back too far. Stoke player, tidies it up & rolls it into an empty net. Comedy.

There's been a load of rebranding at what was U21 level. It's now U23 & it's got “Premier League” all o’er it. Recent years, this was a simple old fashioned cup affair. You put your name in the hat. Played who came out. Took your chances.

Now. A fucking Group Stage. We're in Group H. You play the other mugs home & away. Six games. Not on.  The last Tables were published on 19 January. United were bottom of the group. Played 2, drawn 1, lost 1, one point. So, after tonight, that’s played 3, points 2, 3 to play. I don’t know what the regs are, but I did expect to see some of the new signings feature. Instead, we were treated to the glorious sight of Glynn Hodges prowling the coaching area for Stoke. Salute. Always.

Rambling. The pre match drink was in The Railway Hotel on Bramall Lane. First a KLAXON - 30p off a pint for CAMRA Members. Three on cask when I walked in, one turned round. But, that came on sharpish. Second a KLAXON - the barperson pulled each pump through before he'd serve it. (The Carrier Bag Firm were in not long after opening). Love that.

One Sierra Nevada pukka keg & Fuller's Frontier. Third a KLAXON - Drone Valley was on. Mrs Ball Sup & me are members. Read “owners”. Go out there and buy as much as you can.

I went, Drone Valley, Dronfield Best Bitter on cask at 4.3%. OK, gotta be objective.

Looks lovely, fresh & clear in the glass. Very neutral smell. I'm going to say, virtually nothing. Very thin mouthfeel. A woody bitterness dominates. Tangy, but fairly gentle overall.

436/897
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