Reading U23 1 v Sheffield United U23 3
Premier League Cup, Group H
Played at Adams Park, Wycombe Wanderers
Monday 13 February 2017
Twitter @ball_sup
Total Embarrassment
I am afraid I have a bad habit. I have a running joke with my comrades in the Carrier Bag Firm. In which I claim to be a parent of an Academy player. At Academy games, we often have to interact with stewards & club officials of the hosting club. (In today's case, Wycombe Wanderers). Naturally, parents get preferential treatment. Allowed in free. Hospitality or Directors Box. Teamsheet. Etc. Some U23 games are even behind closed doors. And, if you're not a parent, it's a right old blag to get in.
So, I sometimes say “Terry Kennedy is my lad” or similar. I never carry it through. It's just for effect. Not even funny, unless you're in the CBF.
Today, we approached a Wycombe Club official on the player's door. He'd just dealt with a man & a woman. But, before we could get to him, he had to deal with something on the Walkie Talkie. It sounded to my trained ear like he was trying to clear up some spelling & details for the teamsheets. “The Sheffield United keeper is called Jake Eastwood, did you get that? Thanks”.
He finished & looked at me. I naturally said “yes, I'm Jake's Dad”. And giggled. “Where do we go to get in?” He pointed to the couple he'd already dealt with and said “follow them”.
We did, they were a little quiet. And we had to walk together right down the side of the stand. So, to break the ice I asked
“are you watching someone you know?”
“Yes, my son” said the fella.
“Who is that?” said I.
“Jake Eastwood” said the fella.
I had to shake his hand & try to explain why I'd just pretended to be him, whilst stood next to him & Mrs Eastwood. Mortified doesn't cover it.
The Beer
No tasting notes I'm afraid. I'd gone for a drink with one of the Carrier Bag Firm, Lager Only Regiment. He confessed to having had a pint of Abbeydale, Heathen Pale Ale recently and thought “it was OK I suppose”. So, he let me Benign Kidnap him. And, force him to taste some pukka craft beers. After a conference in front of the taps, we had some tasters & a tasting paddle. It went…..
The Kernel, Table Beer (Citra) at 3.3%
The Kernel, El Dorado, Pale Ale at 5.2%
Magic Rock, Clairvoyance, IPA at 7%
Brew By Numbers, 01-23, Saison at 6.5%
Wiper and True, Milk Shake, Stout at 5.6%
(all on keg)
Now, I'm a Big Beer Snob. So, you, dear reader, may not know what I mean when I say. FFS, come on, what a list, right up there. And, this is in High Wycombe this.
In the capital S for Superb Heidrun.
Six cask. Eleven keg. Helpful & knowledgeable Lady Sommelier. Who indulged me n Lager Wallah. Suggestions. Tasters. As always for me, it's the beer range which leads me to a top, get there now (or sooner) recommendation.
The other Bagger gave a thumbs up to The Kernel, Table Beer. Slowly, slowly, monkey catchee.
The Football
Great win for The Blades. If I'm honest, they sat back subconsciously after going two up inside 7 minutes. It all got a bit jittery once Reading had pulled one back. We went through the usual disrupt yourselves with substitutions phase. Reed, Wright & particularly Slater all had a go at reffing. It looked at one stage like Slater had been sent off for a combination of dissent & persistent fouling. But, he, the real ref, the linesman, the fourth official & trainee refs Reed & Wright had a conference. Mistaken identity. Others copping a plea. Descriptions of incidents & pointing to locations. All in full hearing of the sparse crowd remember. That convinced the ref he was wrong. Fair play. Held his hands up. Said sorry. Everyone gets on with it.
United blitzed them in that first ten. Brooks got chopped down at the end of a mazy run. Wright banged the penalty home. Mallon cleverly lobbed the keeper for the second. Stephen Mallon is coming on now. He's getting bigger physically. And, that left wing back role suits him. He seems far less isolated than when he's as wide as it is possible to go wide left midfield. Good decision maker. Knows where he should be. Got the skills. Catches more of my eye week in, week out.
Jake Wright The Younger took a full whack ball in the face at one point. Someone who manages in non-league has seen Wright a lot & told me “he scores goals, that's a good habit to have”. I hear you Brother. A lovely see ball, head ball bullet header from a corner for the third proves the point. He worked hard for his hat trick. But, his refereeing duties meant he didn't have time.
Jake Eastwood did spill two in the first half. (Remember him, I was impersonating his Dad at the Top Of The Blog). Reading really should have scored both times. That would have made a right old game of it.
All told. United were easy winners. This is another of those - really simple & enjoyable Cup Competitions ruined by a Group Stage. We're in Group H (of 8). Top two in each group to qualify for the last 16. “By my calculation” that win puts us third, level with Stoke on 5 points, but behind them on goal difference. However, Stoke only have one game left, we have two. Both against the BlueNoses who have 4 points. Bottom line, those two games v Brum are a shoot out to qualify. Reading are top with 10 points (one to play).
My 189th ground watching a Sheffield United XI.
446/916
69
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