The Folding Chair Firm

Nottingham Forest U18 0 v Sheffield United U18 0
U18 Professional Development League
Saturday 23 February 2019
Played at The Nigel Doughty Academy

West Bromwich Albion 0 v Sheffield United 1
The Championship
Saturday 23 February 2019

SUFC 2018/19 Games 70 & 71
2018/19 Football Season Brewery Visits - 92

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U18s at Nottingham Forest

On balance, the Young Blades did well against a team well clear of us in the table. For a lot of the game, it felt rather even. But, United did have a couple of great chances. On 60, Zak Brunt hit the bar with a looping cross shot. The rebound looked like it might fall right onto Jack Stainrod. It didn't. But, if it had…..

On 67 minutes, Sam Ackroyd broke clear & got a very powerful shot off. But, that cannoned into the post & stayed out. Earlier in the game, United had looked threatening from corners & wide free kicks whipped in by Brunt & Frank Maguire. Kyron Gordon was armbanding & clearly taking that responsibility seriously. Organising the set pieces so that either he or (believed trialist) big lad Ashton Hall could get on the end of them.

I've been to Forest's Academy a few times now. They've got a little set of Carrier Bag Firm Wannabes. They set up behind the goal with camping chairs which they've lugged up from their cars. One of them has a very simple modus operandi. He abuses the ref. Constantly. Start to finish. Does it at every game I've been to down there. The thing is, there's not going to be many people there. So, abusive comments can & will be heard. I'm not sure I could put up with this arsehole if I was the ref. I mention that because I also made it TWO players, one from each side, booked for very offensive and loud, heard by everybody language towards the officials. “You're a fucking wanker, Ref”.

Del Geary had 'em playing some mad, innovative formations at times. For parts of the last 25, the Young Blades set up with three at the back - Hall, Gordon & Gomis. But, without wing backs. Foulstone & Williams just packing into midfield with the rest of them.

Anyway. Mad that finished goalless. I thought it was very even. But, I'm saying Utd shaved it and the Forest Folding Chair Firm (FFCF) are Divs.

The Brewery

Logistics meant I had plenty of time to hop on a train from The Hawthorns to Rowley Regis (9 mins) and the 10 minute walk to Fixed Wheel Brewery, Blackheath. That was a great place. Large single room set up. With the Brewery Kit behind some impromptu curtains made from used malt sacks. There were five of their own on keg, plus five guest kegs. And, at the front of the bar five of their own on cask.

Fixed Wheel, Chain Reaction (Pale) on cask at 4.2%. I was slightly disappointed in that one. It just didn't seem to go very far. I persevered, and bitterness, she arrived. So, not all lost.

Fixed Wheel, Super Tuck, Brut IPA on keg at 6.4%. Gentler than some I've had of this style. And all the better for that. Some white wine. Some indiscernible flavour. Smoothed out, but not dead. I'm still not sure I get it. Brew an IPA, smooth it out, er.

And, Outstanding Beer Of The Day was:

Fixed Wheel, Through & Off, Session IPA on keg at 3.8%. That was a great beer. Hop bitterness running all the way through it. Merest hint of pineapple sweetness, quick citrus into long tangy bitter finish.

The Over 18s at West Bromwich Albion

What a win. Can't fault any of it. I thought Fleck was superb. All the jobs, all of the time. I'll confess to not really knowing too much about the Albion. Their main threat was straightforward Counter Attacking. But, when United were able to blunt that, they didn't seem to have anywhere else to go. They went through what I felt was a bizarre period in the second half. The keeper playing it out wide & forward, but always short. At times, he seemed to be attempting to chip it over Sharp, McGoldrick & Madine as they pressed. The keeper was very ponderous, hitting hopeful soft balls with his wrong foot into no one in particular.

We pressed so hard at times, that West Bromwich were trying to win Goal Kicks as we triple overlapped & ran channels.

Stats
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