Hear it freezing

Hallam U21 1 v Sheffield United Futures U21 1
(Sheffield United win 5-3 on Penalties, no Extra Time played)

North Midlands Development Football League, Under 21 League Cup

Thursday 22 February 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 66

There now follows an implausible claim. With only a small crowd. In a reasonably quiet Sheffield suburb. Up on a hill. With cold air from Siberia kicking in. You could hear the pitch freezing as the game went on. A sort of crisp crackle as the ball bobbled over it.

“How does the pitch look Ref?”
“Don't know, but it sounds awful”

You could certainly see it freezing. A soft white hue appearing. Drat. I wasn't concentrating when the Ref blew at 90. One each. I was too busy trying to score points on Twitter. So, I didn't really see any of the discussions. I'd assumed they'd go to Extra Time. Mrs Ball Sup had sped to the clubhouse - maybe for Hot Toddy. She's a law unto herself. Anyway, it went straight to Pens. Hallam missed their third. So, when Utd banged in their fifth. That was it.

Not a great game if I'm honest. If you believe the Hallam bench (FYI I don't), that was because “the referee spoilt it”. Tricky surface without the imminent permafrost. Not a great deal of skill & composure on show. But, hey, commitment. Both sets wanted to win. Both goals came within two minutes at 22 (Hallam) & 24 (equaliser).

The fourth time these two have met this season. One draw & two Hallam wins from the previous. United progress to the Semi Final. To play the winners of Belper Town & Heanor Town.

There was something of an Alphabet Brewing Co Tap Takeover in the Devonshire Cat.

Alphabet Brewing Co. Get To The Chopper, Imperial Pale Ale on keg at 7%.
Fairly neutral smell. Maybe just a hint of herbs & citrus. It's quickly, powerful bitter in the mouth. Just a bit of time for some Seville Orange - then booofff. Actually, a lot of that lovely orange survives into the bitterness. Great beer.

Alphabet Brewing Co. & H2ÖL, Bounty Hunter, Coconut Black IPA on keg at 7.3%
Not as powerful as I first thought. Maybe a hint of liquorice in the smell. A lot of sweetness in the first gobfull. That's alright in a North of 7 percenter. It grows toast & bitter in the mouth. Great bitter finish off that sweetness. But, if I'm honest, I'm searching vainly for that coconut.

Alphabet Brewing Co & Vibrant Forest Dunkelunch Dry Hopped Dunkel Weiss on keg at 5.6%.
Got to say. Looks unappealing at first. Almost looks grey in the glass. The hop action saves that one.

617/1283