Premier League Cup, Group B
Wednesday 31 January 2024
Played at Aldershot Town
SUFC 2023/24 Game #44
As I looked to my left, from my seat in Aldershot Town's ground (no tick), I could see up Redan Hill. A Redan is a V shaped defensive formation, building, earthworks facing the enemy. Despite defeating the Russians in Crimea, the British had been impressed by their deployment of Redan defences. So, the British Army built a Redan here in Aldershot. Not to defend the town against attack. In need, quite the opposite. The Army built a Redan in Aldershot to train soldiers how to attack Redans in the rest of the world.
Although it might be worth a try, neither Reading nor the Young Blades used a Redan defence out there tonight. We went three at the back in front of Ryan Andrews. Levis Pitan in the middle. The returning Connor Barratt on the right. Evan Easton on the left. Waldron wide right. Ben Drake ditto left. Ryan Oné close to a lone striker, but with Macedo tucked up there.
Looked more like Chaz of Staniland anchoring mid tonight. Hampson on the right. Jay Tinsdale on the left.
First up. I'm going to try and deal with the Oné contradiction. I'm going to say - I don't want to be critical. But, that's bollocks. Because whether I want to be critical or not. I'm clearly going to be. Lots of Ryan's play is ordinary. Drifting in and out of the game. Running where the ball isn't. Static at times. Horrendous touch at other times. Jumping under high balls.
A wide player will whip a great one in. And you're left thinking - why hasn't Ryan gambled there? How the fuck has he not got something on that?
“Hopeless then, Phil?”
But. He scores goals. Sure, he's behind Hackford & Macedo in this season's goals. But. He's scored six in twelve (ish).
“Ooohhh, got the Midas Touch has he, Phil?”
“No, not really.”
“Poacher is he Phil? Fox in the box?”
“No, not really.”
I think I'm making the point. If you haven't seen much of him. Don't be seduced by his goals for. He's got a longgggg way to go in developing his game.
Ryan’s fucking equalised on 28. And the Carrier Bag Firm love(d) him to bits.
One game to go in the Premier League Cup Group Stage. That's v (Cat 1) Blackburn Rovers, 7pm Monday 5 February, at Chesterfield. United are in a superb position to qualify for the knockout. Top of the group. The Bastard Rovers would need to beat us by three clear goals to overtake us. And we could still qualify depending on West Brom’s result.
So, this was an important win v Reading. In front of a decent crowd. That crowd one third Reading fans. One third Aldershot curious. Four CBF. And one third Ben Drake’s family!!!
The Young Blades very much grew into the game. We were way behind the pace early on. Reading much livelier and higher tempo. They deservedly went ahead on 24. We failed to clear initially. But the Reading kid followed it up well. And hammered it home.
As I've said, Ryan equalised just minutes later. As Reading attacked over on our left (far side), we won it back deep. (Was that Ben D, I couldn't quite see). Worked quickly down the left. And into the Oné big stride. Nice touch and finish. To contradict me!!!
That started a MUCH better spell by United. Drake breaking left again. Hitting a good, deep cross. RWB Waldron the first there. But, he took the touch rather than having a go. I had fucking Wilder flashbacks there. LWB cross. RWB the first on it.
Jay Tinsdale also broke left and had a good shot saved. Just before HT, a marauding Tinsdale fed it into Oné’s stride. He hit it well. But it was blocked.
One Each Half Time.
It took until 68 for United to make it count. A left footed free kick from the right. The clearance hit Levis. And he was smart enough to knock the loose ball home.
United kept at it. Had a few more chances. Yes, yes, yes including chances for Ryan. And managed it over the line.
Garden Gate
2 Church Ln E, Aldershot GU11 3BT
The noticeable thing in the Garden Gate (in the CAMRA Guide) was that we were the only punters paying for our rounds in real time as they were served. Everyone else was having theirs written on a pad and pinned up behind the bar. Like those clip racks they have in restaurants to keep track of the orders. And then. Paying up their bill as they left. A quirk.
Three cask on. Including Wobbly Gate. Reputedly a Marston's rebadge for the Pub.
Surrey Hills Brewery (Dorking), Ranmore Ale, Pale Ale on Cask at 3.8%
That was in excellent condition. Fresh and inviting. A bit of zing first up. Some hay. But the bitter develops long & slow. Lovely.
You can find ALL my previous Blogs at
Would you please consider subscribing (free) to have my Blog delivered to your email inbox (via Substack). Thank you.
You can find me on Social Media
X @ball_sup
Untappd ball_sup
Stats
I have now Blogged from 1,374 games in 3,452 days
No comments:
Post a Comment