Sheffield United U23 2 v West Bromwich Albion U23 0
Premier League Cup, Group Stage
Played at Stocksbridge
Handsworth Parramore U21 3 v Sheffield United Futures U21 0
North Midlands Development Football League, U21 Level, North
Played at Oliver’s Mount
Thursday 15 February 2018
SUFC 2017/18 Games 59 & 60
Oliver's Mount in Handsworth was the 205th different ground I have watched a Sheffield United XI play on. All teams, ages, competitions & surfaces. And, the second of a Double Header Day.
First Leg of the Double Header
Comprehensive performance from the Young Blades. West Brom play at the level above us. (Premier League 2, Division 2). We cannot be promoted to that level, in the normal sense. We would have to pay moolah, and upgrade our Academy, to be considered. However, The Baggies are rock bottom of their league. (Just two wins from 15 games). While we're not exactly flying at U23 this season, we are ten wins from 20.
They caught me out again with the set up. This time, Jordan Doherty in the Centre of a back three. Sam Graham on the right. Callum Semple on the left. Rhys Norrington-Davies wide left. Comeback lad Kieron Freeman wide right. Slater & Gilmour in midfield. Jordan Hallam in the ten hole. Jake Wright Jnr & Tyler Smith up top.
First up. Let's deal with FreemanWatch. He played the first 45. But, didn't emerge after half time. I'm sure that was planned. He didn't look to be carrying any problem. I felt he was easing himself into it. Early on, he was caught out defensively with cross field balls pumped his side. A lot of early Smethwick attacks came down his side. Occasionally, I had to look for him to find him. Neither one thing nor the other.
As the half banged on, he got forward more. A small number of surging runs. And, happy to stay forward. Some nice flicks & quick feet when he did find himself up there. On the half hour, there was some great tenacious work by Jordan Hallam. He won it back & fed the great to see you again mate overlapping Freeman. Ty Smith couldn't quite get on the final ball.
Within ten minutes, Kieron was involved in another threatening move down the right. A lovely back heel to keep the move alive. Hallam & Wright combined ahead of him. But, it came to nowt.
Elsewhere. There were lots & lots of Blades positives I felt. Callum Semple looked calm, composed, assured. Won his headers. Showed for distribution from the keeper. Organised & involved. Done his rehab. Got a right fucking pair of thick legs on him now. A brute…
Rhys Norrington-Davies was outstanding. Busy. Busy. Busy. Stayed with it. Hard to knock off the ball. He was instrumental in the second goal on 40 minutes. A strong break down the left. Knocked it across calmly to Tyler Smith to whack home. I noticed Travis Binnion giving Jake Wright Jnr some advice & encouragement early on re his positions & channel. Jake was a constant threat throughout. Without ever quite getting enough space himself to make a real impact. He’s still leaning in & trying to draw the foul a bit too much for my liking. Aggressive & powerful. Needs a goal or two I feel.
My own Man Of The Match was Jordan Hallam. Very much involved in nearly everything. Great in that link up role. But, he doesn't slow it down. Keeps the game alive. Today, he had a nice tenacity about him. A-wriggling & A-wrestling. Come on Mate. Take it off me. And, he’s always likely to cause problems with dead balls. The first goal (10 mins) came from an excellent Hallam corner into the danger mixer. WBA couldn’t clear it. Tyler Smith banged it home powerfully on the swivel. Another Hallam free kick from deep caught th defence out. They seemed to miss all the marking. That resulted in a header & scramble, but Utd couldn’t poke it home. Obviously, a very honourable mention to Tyler Smith. I’m not sniffing at those two great goals.
In general, the Young Blades are not afraid to, indeed are good at, knocking it hard, short & accurate to their man. Even if he’s got someone on him. They trust their pass & move it skills. Good to see. West Brom did have a good spell at the beginning of the second half. And, other very short good spells. But, I thought UTD U23s were well worth that win.
No question. This Premier League Cup would be better if it was FA Cup style knockout. But, it ain't. Yet. Currently, it’s eight x four team groups. You play those in your group, home & away. Top two in each group qualify for last 16 knockout. That win puts us second in our group - we’ve got one game left. Villa are top above us (on goal difference). But, have still got two to play (including their game against us at Stocksbridge). Ipswich are in third place. But, West Brom can’t catch us now. A win against Villa would put us through. (Although there are other scenarios as well which would put us through).
The Betwixt Games Booze
Cloudwater, Birthday on keg at 8.5%. A creating waves beer. New season Citra Hops. Whack some in the whirlpool. Whack some in the fermentation. Fire some in (no, really) using the Hop Gun. Dry Hop the fucker. New England yeast the bastard. Gloopy DIPA. Lovely beer. Errs, correctly, on the side of Hop Bomb rather than Juice Bomb. Joking & recipes aside, it's actually very well balanced & put together. A rich bitter dominates throughout. The juice is there - peach vs pineapple. The abv kick is just about hidden behind that lot. Nothing too weird. Hits the spot.
Track / Deya, Sundowner DIPA on keg at 8%. We're on a North of 8% roll here. Looks wise, identikit to the Cloudwater. Smells a bit sweeter. Very thick & chewy in the mouth. The bittering feels a bit subdued. Although, it's pleasantly rich. A touch disappointing. Hasn't got the sugar & hop oommpphh of a conventional DIPA. And, it hasn't got the mix & complexity of a New England DIPA. But, a nice, serious beer.
Second Leg of the Double Header
Handsworth have been dominant around the NMDFL in recent years. In 2014/15 (before United Futures joined the league), Hamdsworth U19 won their league. In 2015/16, the Handsworth U19 team side again finished top of the league. This time, played 12, won 12. My understanding is that they tried to keep that group together, but shifted up to Under 21 Level. That resulted in them winning the Under 21 League last year, 2016/17. Played 16. Lost one. (Won 13). This season, Handsworth have, again, been running away with the U21 Level. So, this was always likely to be a tallish order for our U21 Futures.
So, with that background, it was a good first half for United. Went in nil nil. Not a great deal of composure from either side. But, lots of effort & hustle a bustle. The game changed. For the worse I might add. Just a minute into the second half. A heavy challenge in midfield. Which, in all honesty, I didn’t really see. Ended with a Red Card & United down to ten. We never recovered. A goal down 5 minutes later. Two nil after 75. Three nil after 85. Comprehensively beaten I’m afraid.
When all dusted. That leaves Handsworth out on top. Played 12, won 9, drawn 2. United are, I’m afraid, rock bottom of six. Played 11, won 1, drawn 5.
611/1276
No comments:
Post a Comment