Brighton And Hove Albion 0 v Sheffield United 1
Premier League
Saturday 17 December 2019
SUFC 2019/20 Game 40
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That "new" Brighton ground, opened in 2011, was the 224th ground I have seen a Sheffield United XI play on. Although, I have actually been to the ground before. I went to see England Under-21 play there in 2015. It's an out-of-town ground. And, I realise that they don't work for everyone. But, I have to say, the supposed transport logistic problems actually make it a great Carrier Bag Firm day out. The subsidised public transport included in our match tickets allowed us to have a right old beer roam around both before and after the game. A free Beer Romper.
And, bizarrely, the logistics mean that the ground stays open well after the final whistle, beer drinking for the use of. That means Brighton have had to think a bit about their in ground beer offering. Which allows me to give a full-on press of the in ground beer KLAXON. Harvey's is a local Sussex Brewery, brewing up there in Lewes. The bar in the away end had a Harvey's Beer Wall. Bit much to call it a fucking wall mate. As it was selling just TWO different Harveys beers. But, I admire your style. It looked to me as if it was all Keg. Although there were rumours of cask. Anyway, let's deal with that one straight off the bat.
Harvey's Gold Bier on keg at 4%. All you non-drinkers do realise that beer tastes differently depending on your mood don't you? If you slurp a pint of the best beer you've ever had, but in somewhat miserable and desperate circumstances, of course it'll taste like shit. Today, that was the reverse. Euphoria, as I realised there was a beer in the ground tick. It don't really matter what it's actually like, it's going to taste banging. Simple fact really. So, yeah, first up I thought that one was alright. The floral hops came through quite well. I even wondered at one stage whether it might be dry hopped. It weren't.
Part of our beery stop start journey down to the ground, had actually involved us having a drink bang opposite the Harvey's brewery in Lewes. In the heaving John Harvey Tavern. A nice place, with loads of different Harveys beers on cask, gravity, and keg. It was laden with football fans, and Christmas shoppers. But, they were great at coping with the crowds.
However, by far the best place we hit on our day out was the Lockhart Tavern in Haywards Heath. We were banging on the door at 11, and enjoyed it so much, that we shot back in there to celebrate after the game. A great whack of lovely local Sussex micros up there on the board. Along with a few big-name big hitters. Sixteen in total, split fairly evenly between cask and keg.
The best one I had was;
Downlands Brewery (West Sussex), CAM-RAA and the masters of the brewniverse, Stout, on keg at 7%. That was glorious, thick & rich. Great bitter chocolate tones which suited it very well. Bright & effervescent.
Christmas can be a difficult time for us atheists. But, when your football team is on a run, the great midwinter festival does at least give you a milestone date on which to hang the stats. Sheffield United. The New Kids on the block. Newly promoted. Punching above their weight. Are still fucking unbeaten away from home before Christmas. Have that.
That felt a bit more like a battling, get it done win, than a free-flowing relentless attacking win. Towards the end, once Brighton got more and more into it, they were chucking the lot at our defence. With hindsight, of course we coped with it very very well. They were never really a dangerous threat. But, in real-time, it felt like surely, surely they'll get an equaliser here.
Of course, I feel the love for Didzy. Playing out of his skin. Making a real difference to this team. Be the 10. Be the striker. But, I don't mind admitting, I was fuming when he battled and created that chance, took it around the keeper, and then knocked the fucking thing wide. Put that one in kiddo. Take a breather, have a blow, and we're home and hosed. Instead, we left ourselves a lot of defending to do at the death.
Ultimately, none of that mattered. a great win and a great day out. More. Of. The. Same. Please.
Stats
I have now Blogged from 887 games in 1,950 days
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