Disappointing from the U21s

Sheffield United U21 0 v Crewe Alexandra U21 3

Thursday 12 March 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

In the Tap and Tankard
Kelham Island - Bete Noire at 5.5%
Exit 33 - Stateside Pale at 5%
Thornbridge - Colorado Red at 5.9%

In the Rutland
Geeves - Navvys Nightlight at 8.5%
Blue Bee - Tempest Stout at 4.8%

An unusual day of all absolute winners. Both Stouts were superb. The Geeves Imperial IPA was noteworthy as you rarely see such high abv Imperial IPA styles on cask - it was great. But Standout Beer of the Day was the exit 33 Stateside Pale. It had a dry, grassy thing going on, before breaking out into more citrus hop flavours. Loved it.

A youngish side for the Blades U21 this evening. All the latest batch of trialists seem to have gone home. And they’d have been reluctant to risk anyone who might be involved at Scunthorpe on Saturday. A good game, some nice skills & control out there. But, United were never at the races.

What looked to me like a defensive error by McFadzean down the left as he tried and failed to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick, and bingo, they’re one down. And they never recovered.

Connor Dimaio was lively in midfield. I noticed that he’s able to get good powerful shots off with both/either feet. I’ve not particularly noted that before. He did OK with Kieran Wallace in midfield. Although Joel Coustrain only lasted a half, he put a good shift in. Staying strong on the ball is one of his key strengths.

But, overall, disappointing.

100/233

I might pay Council Tax in Crewe

Crewe Alexandra 0 v Sheffield United 0

FA Cup 1

Saturday 8 November 2014

How much is the Council Tax in Crewe. This is my 3rd time here in a fortnight. ....

I had a one door closes one opens day. I was in Crewe early doors for a potential Double Header SUFC U18 in the morning & the FA Cup in the afternoon. But the U18s was called off. So I had time to go to Beer Dock.

It's one of those great off licence bottleshops with one cask & 6 keg lines & trestle tables all-in-one gaffs. Very welcoming but small one room affair.

Highly recommend it.

I kicked off with Heavy Industry 77 at 4.9% on keg. Lovely & floral in the mouth. Bitterness kicks in straight away, although that is behind a pleasant sweetness.  Some orange & marmalade. And a great long but not overpowering finish. That is a superb Pale.

Runaway Oktoberfest at 5.4% on keg. Well balanced. Quite sweet for my taste. But not cloying. All about the malt that one. I'm putting it as Marzen. Spiciness in the finish.

Red Willow Fathomless at 5.2% on keg. I'd call that easy drinking Stout. The head died pretty quickly. Nice red fruit blackcurrant on the nose which comes through a bit in the taste. I thought there was a hint of smokiness. But the more I look for it, the less I can taste it.

Siren Haunted Dream at 6.7% on keg. Pumpkin Porter. OK - but no. Very thin mouthfeel. I'm just thinking the pumpkin makes everything a little odd. It sort of gets there in the end. But it's all lost in the mix. It's complex. Which I like. But needs one of the flavours to come through the give it the wow oomph.

Not much happening at Gresty Road. Not dire but not much being created either. Everyone (but not me) back to The Lane a week on Tuesday.

Heavy Industry 77 the Stand Out Beer of the day.

The Reed & Dimaio Show

Crewe Alexandra U21 1 v Sheffield United U21 2

Monday 3 November 2014

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A good competent performance & victory for The Blades. They were organised well at the back. I absolutely loved watching Louis Reed & Connor Dimaio in midfield. And they were just about lively enough up top.

They started with a Trialist at left back. Don't quote me. But maybe that was Kieran Wallace, currently at Ilkeston. Previously in the Forest & England age group structures.

In the first half a lot of Crewe's stuff came down his side. He was caught out a few times. Slowly, slowly he got his act more together & did OK. He got subbed in the 2nd half. Sam Berry & Julian Banton marshaled everything well at the back & Kieran was part of that unit.

Reed looked the best player on our side. Lots of involvement. Always looking for the ball. Connor Dimaio wasn't far behind him. The two of them were sparking off each other. I could have watched them all afternoon.

Goals from Jamie McDonagh & Ben Whiteman. I noticed that Nigel Clough was shouting a lot to (that's to not at) McDonagh. Encouraging him to work constantly, chase things down & track.  He responded well. I like seeing that sort of stuff.

Bit of poor game management towards the end saw The Blades concede in the last minute. Then it was frantic for a while. Not helped by Danny Cockerline coming on as the last sub & then taking a knock. He was really struggling at the end.

Good result. Loved the Reed & Dimaio show.

Train to Crewe

Crewe Alexandra 0 v Sheffield United 1

Saturday 25 October 2014

Twitter @ball_sup

Ooooohhhh. Moving forward a bit know. More of the same. A few team changes. Keep plugging away. Take your chances. Except United managed to miss a penalty along the way.

A nice composed goal. With a little bit of luck as a defender basically fell over.

Hops Belgian Bar has become our Crewe pub of choice in recent years. It's opening times are reliable. It's tucked away in a quieter part of the town centre. 6 casks & a range of Belgian kegs & bottles. I'd heartily recommend it.

Coastal Brewery Hoptimum at 7%. This one claims 8 Hops. Thick, chewy mouthfeel. Some grass in the taste. The bitterness is intense, but not particularly powerful. It feels a bit like a cram it all in beer. The abv kick is nice.

Burton Bridge Stairway To Heaven at 5% Bit of sweetness at first. Not too much else going on. Quite pleasant. Clean & refreshing. A little bit of bitterness in the finish.

Wincle Butchered at 4.3%. Billed as a Brown Ale. I liked it on first go. Mainly because it was a bit different. Who'd have thought we'd ever find a Brown Ale to be a little unusual. Malty & nutty.

Stand out Beer of the Day was Mallinsons SPA at 3.9%. Very pale. Very grassy on the first taste. Dry in the mouth. The bitterness is hidden, but grows into a lovely finish.