Hallam Hat Trick

Doncaster Rovers U23 1 v Sheffield United U23 3
Premier League Cup, Group B
Tuesday 6 November 2018
Played at The Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster

SUFC 2018/19 Game 36

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Partly, that scoreline flatters the Young Blades a bit. Rovers were well in it at times - they hit the bar with a clean strike on 75 minutes at 2-1. Even when that rebound was cleared, Rovers immediately worked it back in and it needed a great, point blank save from Marcus Dewhurst to keep the header out. But, it's true, United were deserved winners. Jordan Hallam takes the headlines with a Hat Trick. He also hit a post.

Travis fetched Hallam off after the third on 84 minutes. I loved the second goal. This persistent young team at their best. Being verbally driven forward by Dungworth & Binnion. Doherty gained possession. Moved it quickly & accurately to Reece York. Looked up. Moved it inside to Hallam. He swept it home. Blink of an eyeball stuff. Obviously, it's difficult to look beyond Hallam, but I thought Simeon Oure had a very lively game. He was brought down in the left channel for the penalty which resulted in Hallam's Hat Trick. Simeon also had a large hand in the first. Holding the ball closely. Before neatly slotting it into Hallam's stride. Some argy. A deal of bargy. I saw a shirt grabbed. But, Hallam stayed nice & strong. Shook his marker. Stayed on his feet & hit it low past the keeper.

Jake Wright had an interesting game on his comeback trail. Fairly assured & organised. United set up as a back three. Wright in the centre, Lafferty on his left, and George Cantrill on his right. Jake absolutely clattered a Rover in just the third minute on the centre spot. He stayed down & needed treatment. And, the referee gave Wright a long, long talking to. I did feel Wright was a bit at fault for Rovers equaliser on 37 minutes. He gave away what looked to me like a careless and needless free kick just on the edge of the box. It wasn't a spectacular free kick, just clean efficiency, past the wall, past the keeper, one each. Again, still before halftime, Wright slipped and nearly let Doncaster in for another.

All that said, Jake Wright marshalled things well & I think that had an impact on Cantrill alongside him. George got some good headers & last ditch tackles in. Wright lasted until 70 minutes. Looked very much like a planned, rather than enforced substitution to me. Trialist forward Jake Young came on for the other Jake. Meaning a major rejig. With Jordan Doherty dropping into the back three. Young actually looked quite lively. Took up good positions. Got around the park. Made a few chances. But, he'd have had to do bundles to shine ahead of Hallam & Oure.

We warmed up in The Draughtsman Alehouse on Platform 3, Doncaster Station. They had three on cask, of which two from Imperial Brewery. Plus
4 pukka craft keg & Pilsner Urquell.

Stod Fold, Pale on cask at 3.6%.
A little hazy, most flavour notes were floral, with a bit of citrus. There wasn't a bitter kick, but you wouldn't expect that in this sort of beer.. Very refreshing & full of flavour. Really, that had most, if not everything you need from a 3.6% cask pale.

And, then moved on to The Queen Crafthouse in the Marketplace. Five on cask. Plus 7 pukka keg & Kozel.

Vibrant Forest, Summerlands, Session IPA on keg at 3.5%.
My liver loves IPAs at this abv if they pack enough flavour punch like that. Lovely, rich, but low abv beer. The bitterness came off a whack of peach sweetness.

Contrast that with the
Almasty, Duke's Head Apricot Pale on keg at 4.6%.

I didn't really get much fruit. Just a little sourness. Fairly gentle. Whatever fruit there was came quietly and late. It was nicely balanced. Good flavour. But, didn't sit up & grab me.

738/1540