Nine Ten Jack

Sheffield U21 0 v Sheffield United Futures U21 0

North Midlands Development Football League U21 North

Played at St George's Park, Graves

Friday 2 February 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 54

How has that ended nil nil? There aren't any MatchStats. But, I can't remember a game in my ever shorter term memory with more clear cut chances. How? I'll happily say Club had the better of that. The Futures keeper has kept United in it. Time. After Time. Diving saves. Tips over. Spread yourself as he bears down on you. The lot.

Even more impressive from Club given the unfolding first half shenanigans. With the half well under way, I remarked to Mrs Ball Sup,

“Strange, there don't appear to be any Subs sat on the Sheffield bench”
Tick Tick Tick
“Oh hang on, there's someone warming up now”
“Where's he come from?”
“Hang on, have a count up, they've only got ten on”
“Whoa, Whoa, Fuck Sake, have I got that right, count again”
“There's only NINE of them out there - him warming up is the Tenth”

He comes on after 30 minutes. They've played the first third of the game with just 9 (NINE) men. I'm so addled from the 6.66 per centers in the MicroPub, that I haven't even noticed. Just as he comes on, another “Sub” comes through the gate. And starts warming up. He's the Eleventh Man. Comes on after 35. You know. Just to show willing.

First time in the very welcoming Guzzle Micropub on Chesterfield Road. A “local” Micropub. As opposed to a “hipster” Micropub. They'd clearly got their cycle wrong. There was just one Hoppy Pale. And then four fairly dark 'uns. A brown ale. A Christmas Porter. (It's fucking February mate). A dark one brewed with Orval Yeast. And Abbeydale Black Mass.  When all we had was Belgian Beers & the odd German Reinheitsgebot, I'm proud to say - Orval was a breakout beer for me.

Orval
Sierra Nevada
Brooklyn Lager
Matilda Bay Fat Yak
Thornbridge Jaipur
Emerson's Pilsner
BrewDog Punk IPA
There, it's been said. So…

Townhouse, Valor (see what they've done there) on cask at 4.6%
Exit 33, Hoppy Hour on cask at 4%
Abbeydale, Black Mass on cask at 6.66%

605/1263