One Pub, Two Names

Brentford 2 v Sheffield United 3
The Championship
Tuesday 27 November 2018

Sheffield United U23 0 v Everton U23 1
Premier League Cup, Group B
Friday 30 November 2018
Played at Stocksbridge Park Steels

SUFC 2018/19 Games 42 & 43

May to May Brewery Visits - 67

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The Beer

I love a bit of unusual beer history me. Did you read my previous Blog? About the two Pressure Drop beers? Both brewed with the same Hops? But, with different “recipes”? No. Why not? We tasted them side by side in a classic Beer Off. It was a lovely bit of Blogging. Give it a hit up. Anyway, I mention that “two beers” Blog. Because this one is a Two Pubs Blog. The drink up before that marvellous away win at Brentford was in The Mawson Arms, in Chiswick, right next to the Fuller's Griffin Brewery. Or was it? The Mawson Arms is also the Fox and Hounds. The pub has two “legitimate names”. I've seen the story told a few different ways.

Basically, it's around the old Licencing Laws ruling that Beer could not be sold on the same premises as Wines & Spirits. The story is either those were the real rules, or it was a misunderstanding that those were the rules. Matters not. Because, in a classic manoeuvre, they just gave the pub two names. The authorities OK'd Ale in The Mawson Arms & OK'd Wine in the Fox and Hounds. Without understanding they were one and the same pub. What. Japes.

Maybe it's the water. But, I generally find Fuller's beers a bit thin. The three I had, including London Pride (I just HAD to), certainly were. It was a close call. But, my favourite of the day was,

Fuller's, Off Piste on cask at 4.6%. That was lovely and hoppy. Not powerful, but gentle & floral flowing through it. The inevitable thin mouthfeel actually suited the balance.

The Under 23s

A very young Blades XI, missing Norrington-Davies, Graham, Semple, Slater, Gilmour, Smith, Hallam & Parkhouse, gave a really good account of themselves. All of those listed are experienced and senior U23 players who are currently out on loan to further their development. I get that. But, I do sometimes feel there's a critical mass. Unless you retain a core of players, then it's difficult for the rest to shine. But, I get it.

The apparent gulf is that Everton are second in Premier League 2, Division 1 - the top division for U23 teams. United are fifth in Professional Development League, North. You could call that U23 Division 3. It was certainly NOT one way traffic. United had a really good spell from around 55 minutes to 80. And, there was a mad, great chance for the equaliser in stoppage time. Stephen Mallon had a shot blocked. Harry Boyes banged the rebound against the bar. And, Simeon Oure had a header from that rebound cleared.

Both teams were in it constantly. Chances at both ends. Neither could really get on top & impose control. On balance, I'm happy that Everton probably just shaved it. The Young Blades stayed in it by working really hard. In their better spells, they were happy to trust their skills. Passing it around the back line & through linking midfielders. Inevitably, there was the odd mistake. But, I felt if United hadn't played like that, getting the ball moving all the time, Everton could have really stamped control.

It was noticeable that Travis was constantly encouraging the players to keep working. Coaxing, rather than castigating.

George Cantrill set up in the middle of a three. Jean Belehouan on his right, Tommy Williams on his right. Harry Sheppeard & Stephen Mallon as wingbacks. Doherty, York and (presumed trialist) Kalinauskas in midfield. Jake Young & Simeon Oure up top.

That performance is not particularly one for singling individuals out. A collective effort. I thought Cantrill, Williams & Belehouan dealt well with a lot of things at the back in difficult circumstances. York started really well - but faded a bit I felt. Stephen Mallon shone at times. Let's put it simply. He's better when he's got the ball than when has hasn't.

Everton's goal on 25 minutes looked ugly. A surging run from midfield was ended by a crunching tackle (and foul) in the D, bang centre. From my angle, Marcus looked like he was set up on the left post. I'm sure that was a bit of an illusion. But, it looked a simple, up n over, bit of away curl, chip into acres of goal to his right.

There's no disgrace, lots to be proud of, in that defeat. We just need to hang on in there & get through the group stage.

750/1564