Dead ball is dead

Sheffield United U23 1 v Leeds United U23 1

U23 Professional Development League, North

Monday 19 February 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 63

Red Willow, Stateless Pale Ale, Cascade, Columbus, Chinook on cask at 3.9%
Lovely tight white head. Bursts into flavour immediately. Tangy & citrus, dissolves into a gentle, but mouthfilling bitterness. Excellent beer.

Thoroughly enjoyable game up at Stocksbridge. Seemed to have the lot. But, FFS, how has that finished one each? I only took one notepad - so, I’ve had no chance of keeping count of the Yellows & Reds. I’m going to need an Assistant if we have any more games like that. The Carrier Bag Firm had an audit - we’ve got it something like three yellow cards for the Young Blades. Maybe six for Leeds. And, a double ‘un for Red.

In one move (55 mins), Jordan Hallam fired one off - that hit one post. Tyler Smith was sniffing the rebound - he’s hit the other post. And, none of that mattered because the lino got an offside flag from somewhere. It was that sort of game.  Just before that, SUFC had a break down the right. Twin striker partners Jake Wright Jnr & Tyler Smith were absolutely bombing into the box to get on the end of owt. Cross was going straight to an unmarked Wright - free header - until Smith got in front of him & handled it. Ridic - what was he thinking?

AnyRoadUp. At last, the Dream Three at the back. Ben Heneghan in the middle, Sam Graham on the right, and Callum Semple on the left. That looks a strong set up. You know the drill. One slip can cost you. Heneghan did give it away a few times. Almost every time that resulted in a real, good, clear cut chance for Leeds. The one after 7 mins was in “Miss Of The Season” territory. Robbed Heneghan, knocked it wide, squared it to the back stick. He’s knocked it miles over from maybe 3 yards.

No Regan Slater today (the word is he’s got a little knock). That meant that Heneghan could come in for him, releasing Jordan Doherty into midfield (I prefer him there anyway). It felt like the Young Blades were creating chance after chance. Both Hallam (13 mins) & Ty Smith (25 mins) got on the end of balls over the top. Lovely first, in the stride touches. But, neither could finish - dragging wide. But, by the time of that Smith chance, we were already one down. It came down our left. Looked to me like the fella has gone past Rhys Norrington-Davies rather easily. He’s put a great low ball in to the six yard box. And, a calm, powerful finish has done the rest.

Let’s deal with the cards & niggles. I have to say - both teams were highly motivated & clearly wanted to win it. There were a few tackles flying in - all hail that. But, after taking the lead after just 17mins, Leeds “became a bit more professional”. Bookings included - the verbals, the not dodging back 10 yards for a free kick. And, the all time great. Keeper taking too long with a goal kick. Is warned by “The Authorities”. Sternly. No worries, but I’ll now shift the kick to the other side of the six yard box - you’re booked son. It was not easy for the ref. But, he was losing control a bit towards the end.

The Blades U two threes really like to get the ball in play. Any free kick in a position where they don’t fancy getting it in the mixer, they look to get it moving. The philosophy seems to be - we don’t care who has it, or whether he’s got someone tight on, get it moving, a dead ball is just that - DEAD. That didn’t mix well with the ridiculous accent West Yorkshire team. Who saw their main task as - stop the ball being LIVE. Chuck Jake Wright Jnr in - and ….. boil.

Jake had a really good game. I lost count of the number of bangs on the head he had - as per usual. But, he had a nice air of restraint about him - good. There were enough fuckers trying to get at it without you interfering young man. Hallam & Smith were also lively throughout. Chance after chance. I don’t know how we’ve ended up with just one. The Leeds keeper had a good game. Once he could decide which side to take his goal kicks (winks…). He stayed on his feet and tall on a number of attacks and kept them in it a few times with good saves. He also looked a bit exposed at corners - Jordan Hallam is an excellent Corner Kicker. But, he decided he was going to try & punch clear as many times as he could. I thought he did well.

After the second yellow/Red, Leeds got a bit more niggly as they tried to hold on. United realised they could push men forward. Centre Back Sam Graham popped up on the right wing. And, I don’t mean he got into an overlapping position - I mean he was effectively playing on the right wing! He got a great cross in. And, Jake Wright got on the end of it & rifled it home. To set up a classic all hands to the pump, ball in the net ruled office, bookings a-gogo finish.

Kieron Freeman set up as right wing back. He played 70 minutes. And was replaced by Will Portman in a straightforward like for like. Freeman wasn’t limping or owt. I’m sure it was just a planned 70 minutes on his comeback trail. It’s difficult. We don’t know what he’s being briefed. He is certainly NOT putting it all in. Either because he’s been told not too, he’s decided not too, or he can’t. That’s the nature of it. At times, again, I had to look for him to see what he was up to. I couldn’t find him a few times when he was needed defensively. And, he had a couple of horrendously botched clearances. But, he did get forward. And he did stay forward in trademark style. He had a particularly effective spell towards the end of the first half. The simple fact is - as yet, he’s not particularly standing out at this level. I’m not being critical - he’s trying to get there.  One lovely glimpse when Warhurst punted a kick downfield. Ty Smith got on the bike down the right channel.  He held it up well, turned. Freeman was bang there at pace in support. Cameo - so, more please.

Did I say - The Young Blades had chance after chance.

614/1280