The Piano Stops

Colchester United U23 0 v Sheffield United U23 3

U23 Professional Development League

Monday 3 September 2018

Played at Florence Park, Tiptree

SUFC 2018/19 Game 19

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That was the 212th different ground I have seen an SUFC XI play on. All ages, all surfaces, all grounds.
“Oh come on Phil, we're not having that, what you calling a ground?”
“Oh do Fuck Off. You've heard of us right? Sheffield United FOOTBALL Club? If an SUFC team is playing, the thing they're playing on is BY DEFINITION a FOOTBALL Ground”

Boom. Clarified. 212.

Some context to that win today. Opponents Colchester are roooooted to the bottom of the South Group. Now played four. Lost four. That said. The Young Blades were dominant in a comprehensive victory. The Colchester keeper was their man of the match. By a distance. He saved a penalty. Tipped some over. Came out, spread & stayed big for some.

No Rhys Norrington-Davies (Wales U21 squad). No Marcus Dewhurst (England U18 squad). No David Parkhouse (Northern Ireland U21 squad) No Stephen Mallon (not sure, I don't think it's an Ireland Youth call, Jordan Doherty was here for eg). No Jake Eastwood, as is the norm these days.

No Binnion. At least, he wasn't in the dugout. I didn't hear him. (Believe me, I would have). So, unless he was lurking quietly (sniggers) in the reception, offices & dressing room area, no Binnion.

So, it was Jordan Amissah in the net. Oliver Greaves on his comeback trail in midfield. He was routine subbed at 60 by Sam Ackroyd. Jake Bennett on his comeback trail as the right of a back three. He was routine subbed at half time by Harry Sheppeard. And John Dungworth on full coaching, shouting, pointing & occasionally looking exasperated duties.

I was with a West Ham mate (Rich). As we left the ground, a bloke asked him the score.
“Four Nil”
“Tit, it was Three”
“Was it, I thought it was Four”
Thus emphasising the dominance of the Can I Check Your ID Blades.

Post game (3:05pm Monday afts), we walked into the Bonnie Blue Oak in Tiptree, Darkest Essex. They went out, bought a piano, learned how to play it. And then. As we walked to the bar - the piano stopped. Rich had to get into all the Jellied Eels Jargon to give us a chance. Anyway. He decreed the game.
“Men against Boys”

Thing is. A very young Young Blades side battered an obviously older & “bigger” Colchester side. On 33, Bennett went to ground on a tackle in our half. Got up. Went on a run of the surging variety. Fed it into the path of Simeon Oure, who should really have scored. But, the Colchester keeper (yes, that bastard again), made a great save. A Colchester Carrier Bagger to my right shouted, to the guy Bennett had tackled in the first place;
“You've got to need it more than that”

The Baggers know……

Keenan Ferguson usually plays in the back three. In the Jake Bennett is back reshuffle, Ferguson was right wing back. On 11 minutes, a ball was pumped down the right. Simeon Oure (I think it was) would have been offside. The Colchester defence went full Tony Adams Hands In The Air. But, I think intentionally, Simeon left it well alone. Allowing Keenan to beat the trap, surge clear, knock an accurate square ball across. Oli Greaves did the rest for one nil.

Within a few minutes, Reece York surged forward down the middle. He got clipped & tripped. But, the keeper (he's fucking haunting me now) pulled off a great diving save to his right.

Despite our dominance, the game was end to end frantic. Often, it needed someone to put their foot on it, slow down, have a look. Few did. Either side. United were a constant threat. Time and time again, Jordan Hallam worked a corner routine. With a George Cantrill peel off to get free in the box for the header. The CBs (Cantrill & Gordon) would stay forward if the corner was cleared. With the Wing Backs (Ferguson & Boyes) bombing. Simeon Oure running channels well. York & Doherty combining well in midfield. Constant threat.

Kyron Gordon was having a ding dong battle with their 9. Elbows, shoulders, but all fair & above board. Credit to both of them.

On 60, Jordan Doherty fed Hallam in the inside right channel. Hallam took a touch, weighed it up & rifled it past the keeper inside the far post. Natural Goals this fella. Two nil.

After 80, we finally found a better way to beat their keeper. Wicked deflection. Way to go as the youngsters might say. (Jordan Doherty). Three nil. Cruel. Goal difference helps as well. That win puts us third on goal difference. Challenging the top two play off spots. Next up. Tuesday 11 September, 1430pm. Charlton Athletic at SHIRECLIFFE.

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