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Saturday 15 July 2023
SUFC 2023/24 Game #1
Football's Back. Game One. And we've already had to push the Beer In The Ground KLAXON. Let me BladesSplain. Of course I know you can buy beer in any football ground, so long as you don't drink it in your seat, in view of the pitch. Of course I know, I'm not an idiot. But, the Carrier Bag Firm have little interest in the major industrial Euro Lagers sold at the kiosks in grounds. No drama if that's what you're after. Find it & get at it. But what we look for is independent or at least faux independent craft beer in grounds. And when we find it, we love to celebrate the fact.
SALT (Saltaire), Loom, American Pale on Keg at 4% in the ground
Incidentally, that's a beer they also serve at Hallam FC. It is a great, non-lager footie beer. And it's Game One, long may it continue. What a season we're in for.
Earlier in the day, the Organiser had tried to get the band back together. He knows what he's doing. So the reunion was rather impressive. Until the micropub ran out of the one Cask beer they were serving. And the owner proclaimed he hadn't got another to replace it because - "his supplier had let him down". FFS. Anyway, in such circumstances, we can give The Organiser grief. So we did.
We hastily arranged a Comeback Tour in;
The Beer Parlour
1 King St N, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield S41 9BA
Great place. Although they let it get a bit crowded later, with a full on queue for the bar. Eight on Cask.
Marble Beers (Manchester), Temporary Traffic Lights, Pale Ale on Cask at 4.5%
Named after a famous scene in Phil Mealey and Craig Cash's Early Doors sitcom. To The Regiment.
Well. What did we learn there?
Louie Marsh was competent enough. But, in the age groups, he's a game changer both in assists outside the box, and with goals inside the box. Not surprising. But, we didn't see him at his best. Incidentally, he still has a way to go filling out sideways, but he is noticeably bigger than last year.
Will Osula will draw criticism from some;
"He really snatched at his sixth chance."
Not from me.
"Fuck Sake, that means he carved out six chances."
Greedy Striker, Me Liker.
The Carrier Bag Firm always recognised Harrison Neal when he popped up in U18 & Futures.
"He's the little one, who always tucks his shirt in, makes him look even smaller than he is."
Neal was listed on the sheets for the second half. But, I hadn't seen him warming up in the first half. Nor over Half Time. My companion said;
"Can't see Harrison out there. Maybe he's picked up a knock. Or they've changed their minds."
We couldn't pick him out. Because he's now as fucking big as Berge. (He's not really, but he's not far off). Again, Neal was competent, but that's what he is. That's his game. Calm, competent, efficient. I thought he did well.
United were a different side with Oli The Mac and Ili The Man up top in the second half. You can't read too much into it. Pre season. Against Chesterfield. But, the interplay between those two was impressive. It is worth remembering, fully fit, head in the right place, confidence high, Oli McBurnie is a Baller. Scored goals in the Premier League an' that.
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