Draw Drink Win

Sheffield United U23 1 v Crewe Alexandra U23 1
U23 Professional Development League 2
Played at Stocksbridge

Dunkirk U19 0 v Sheffield United Futures U19 2
North Midlands Development Football League U19 League Cup

Thursday 1 February 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Games 52 & 53

Dunkirk was the 203rd different ground I have watched an SUFC XI play on. All ages, all compos, all surfaces. That was the second leg of a very hectic double header. 2pm kick off for the U two threes at Stocksbridge. Half time in The Old Crown Inn (Handsworth). Then a 7:45pm kick off at Dunkirk, by The Trent in Nottingham. Thanks are due to tonight’s Carrier Bag Firm driver - who even got me back well before my last bus home.

Quick Under 23 Round Up

That result leaves Utd in third in the table. 28 points from 18 games. We’re three points behind Sheffield Wednesday, from the same games. They come to Bramall Lane on Monday, 5 February. Basically, if we beat them, we’ll go above them into a play-off spot. Bolton are out in front with 34 points from 18 games. The table is a little “false” - as Nottingham Forest, a point behind us in fourth, have only played 15 games. Incidentally, the Golden Boot is reasonably interesting. Young Blade Tyler Smith is in second place - 13 goals from 14 starts. But, currently top of the pile is Shirecliffe Graduate Connor Hall, released by us & signed for Bolton Wanderers. Sixteen goals from 15 starts.

Charlie Scott, from Manchester United’s Academy system, trialled recently for us v Aston Villa and Bolton U23s. I see he’s now signed for Hamilton Academical on loan for the rest of the season.

Today’s U23 Game

I was quite, bordering on very, disappointed the U23s didn’t win that. I did think we were the better team. I did think Crewe were barely in it for long swathes. But, we didn’t capitalise on possession & chances. And, we made a defensive error which cost us. See, the First Team Reports…..

We set up with Graham in the middle of a back three, Doherty on his right and Norrington-Davies on the left. I’ll be honest, that works, but does seem a bit makeshift. Doherty has “starred” as an attacking midfielder. Rhys has “starred” as an marauding left wing back. Slater & Gilmour (both great today, as per) in front of them. George Broadbent wide right (again somewhat makeshift). Stephen Mallon wide left. Jordan Hallam in the hole & coming at you at pace. Jake Wright & Ty Smith up top - target man & pace, for eg.

Bang at it from the off. A great flowing move down the right - Broadbent to Hallam to Smith - quick look up, slipped it inside to Hallam again, and a composed finish. One Nil. All after three minutes. You’ll understand why I was disappointed to only draw after that buzzing start.

A lot of very tenacious work by Slater throughout. Breaking up play. Chasing them down. Making them make mistakes. And. When he’s spoilt all that. Good, quick feet, accurate link up passes. Not afraid to take it on, start again & build. After 20 minutes, the Young Blades had another great move down the right. Broadbent & Smith involved. Having dragged the Crewe defence that way, Slater carried the ball all the way across field to build it on the left. Stephen Mallon fed an overlapping Norrington-Davies. Came to nothing. But, a great flowing move in possession, at pace, down both wings. Within five minutes, maybe with different personnel, they’d done it again. That ended with a cross cum shot by Mallon. In the Blog after the win at Ipswich, I “called Stephen Mallon out”. In a good way, I might add. Congratulating him on his return from injury, but feeling that, in future games, he needed to get more in it & make a positive contribution.

I really enjoyed his performance today. He got better & better as the game went on. Before his injury, I was beginning to feel that left wing back role suited him more (than conventional wide left). Just more involved & more able to use his skills. He’s got the flicks & tricks. Good eye for the ball. The defender lunges. Booof. He’s gone. Today, he coupled that with signs of good strength on the ball. And, good at his defensive duties. He made a last ditch tackle deep in the penalty area to rob the Creweite. Effectively keeping Utd in it at that stage.

As well as possession, we had a smattering of clearish chances. Slater loves a long killer pass. Maybe tries it a little too often - nitpicking. He banged a free kick from deep in his half right into Jake Wright’s stride. He got a good shot off, but the keeper saved well.

Naming names. Bang on half time. Sam Graham missed his tackle & man on the edge of the box. That left the fella able to push it onto the edge of the six yard box & his mate has done the cool finish. One each.

After half time, we got the nearly a year out return of Callum Semple. He actually replaced Jordan Hallam - with a reshuffle. Callum went straight to the centre of three. Graham switched right. I’m yet to be convinced of him out there - previously and today. Semple looked solid & assured. Looked on the pace & switched on to me. He got a good few solid defensive headers in early on. That will have settled him. Later, he popped up in the area for one of our corners & got a good header in, only narrowly over.

The reshuffle freed up Jordan Doherty. He’d done little wrong in the back three. But, for me, he shone more, and is better suited to midfield. We were treated to The Jake Wright Show in the Jamie Vardy stand. He tended to creep over to our left in the second half. As target man for our goal kicks, etc. He is a better player, when he concentrates on his own game. Wins it. Lays it off. Runs with it. Gets a shot off. Once he’s tangling with defenders. Verbally & physically. No. He loses 10% (made up) effectiveness. That said. He had a reasonable game. He was on the end of some good chances.

Overall. A good performance. Not rounded off by the right result.

The midway drink

To make the logistics work, that was in The Old Crown, Handsworth. Way, way off my patch. But, well known as “the meet” for the Handsworth Blades AwayDay coach. Deffo a first time in for me. Nice simple three handpump setup.
Kelham Island, Easy Rider on cask at 4.3%
Chantrey, New York Pale on cask at 3.9%
for me.

Today’s U19 Futures

The Carrier Baggers were not to only ones to make the mad dash from Stocksbridge to Dunkirk. Sammy Ompreon & Kyron Gordon were unused subs for the U23s. And, they both turned up in the starting XI at Dunkirk. Sorry if I miss anybody. Along with Connor Cutts & Angelo Capello - being the only others I recognised. Indeed, Capello scored the first for United after 14 minutes. With a pacy run & neat dink over the keeper. It was a ding dong cup tie. The young Dunkirkers put up a great display. Chances at both ends. Lots of commitment. A few handbags. A bit of swearing. What else are you going to do on a Thursday….?

United held it together well. The Dunkirk keeper made save after save. Really kept them in it. Although it was far from one way traffic. The Futures put it to bed in the 75th minute. Our fella has shrugged off two challenges, shoulder to shoulder. Kept the ball at his feet. Then was (my opinion) scythed down in the box. Not the opinion of the two Dunkirk fans behind the goal. No. No. No. Not their opinion at all. Given the language they used to the Ref. Anyway. The Penalty is banged home. No Extra Time will be necessary. No last buses will be missed. These U19 & U21 League Cups that the Futures are in are messy affairs. There is a fair deal of scratching, walkovers, cancelled & postponed. But, I can bring you the news that our U19 Futures are now in the last 8, Quarter Final. Drawn to play Dronfield Town at Home - date tbc.

604/1262