From The Windy Corners

Crewe Alexandra U23 0 v Sheffield United U23 3 

Professional Development League 

Monday 11 April 2022 

Played at Gresty Road 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #66 

Business end now. We've already got 47 points and top the table. Coventry can get a maximum of 49. They play twice before we next play. Slip ups by them might mean we win the league on the sofa. Otherwise, it's bring the noise to The Lane on Tuesday 26 April, 7pm v Millwall.

I'm not saying three nil flattered us. I'm not saying it wasn't comfortable in the end. But, it was a bit of a scrappy game (on a poor surface, it must be said). We never really seemed to scruff neck the game.

Ky Gordon, Iliman Ndiaye, Dan Jebbison & Kacper Lopata all started. All except Iliman did 90 minutes as well. Aidy Boothroyd was (again) sat quietly on the bench taking it all in. And, Jack Lester was in the seats. Maybe to keep an eye on the first team fringers.

Callum Hiddleston gloving. Kacper in the middle of a three, Gordon on his right & Miguel Freckleton left. Gomis outside Mig. Sai Sachdev outside Ky. Arblaster in the take it off them, Quarterback role. Sydie Peck (right) and 'dre Brooks (left) pushed up in midfield. Daniel & Iliman up top.

I felt the Young Blades should have gone one up right away. Sachdev put a clever cross in from the right. Iliman got on it & really, really should have scored. But, his no power side foot dink went wide. 

To be fair, Alex showed a bit an' all. Always trying to play with the ball, they built it down their right. The ball forward caught Freckleton out a bit & Lopata "had to" put in a horrible challenge in front of the dugouts to break the move down. (Booked for that).

United were on top. Both Iliman & Jebbison being a bit greedy at times to keep the ball & get their own shots off. A few creative bits & pieces from Peck & Brooks to keep the top two in service. There was quite an odd phase of the game from about 15 to 35. Crewe kept trying to play out from the back. But, often lost it as United pressed & harried them. Equally, United kept losing it, or were robbed, in the final 33%, and looked very susceptible to rapid counter attacks.

It was as if both teams main attacks were coming from errors by the other team. Rinse, and repeat.

United continued to have the most clear cut chances. On 28, Iliman shot wide after wriggling into the box. On 31, Andre Brooks went on a mazy run across & into the box. But that ended with the keeper diving at his feet & smothering it. 

At last. Deadlock broken on 39. The ball bobbled & bounced around the box on the right. Jebbison got it under control, of sorts. And knocked it along the six yard box for a simple Ndiaye tap in.

Just three minutes of sixty second duration later (ie not very long after) it was the old reverse-a-roo. With Ndiaye putting it on a plate for Jebbo. Who, I'm sorry, looked a bit lazy and stabbed it wide.

At times in that first half, the back three had looked a bit jittery & misfiring. All of them getting caught out at times by giving the ball away, or misjudging where they needed to be to tidy a through ball up. But. Equally, all three had enough skill & experience to recover from those mistakes & invariably get the ball back.

Again, in the second half, United should have scored more-or-less straight away. A great stand it up cross from Gomis, right on the noggin de Jebbison. Proper good hang time. But headed wide.

However, United soon (52 mins) got the game under control with an unusual corner routine. The wind swirling around Gresty Road. The corner flag to my left (the end we were defending) was being blown horizontal towards me. The corner flag to my right (the end were attacking) was being blown horizontal away from me. Down in that corner, on our right wing, left footed Andre Brooks attempted a number of inswinging corners with the wind behind him. Thing was. The ball wouldn't stay put. He'd put it in the quadrant. Bang it down. Make a little lip for it with his heel. And as he retreated for his run, the ball would blow away from him. Time after time. 

Eventually, he got enough purchase on one. Swung it right to Big Mig. His header was blocked, but it fell nicely for Gordon to hit home. (NOT in the style of Uremović right at the death at The Lane on Saturday!!!)

Substitutions on 68 had Buyabu & Ayari on for Gomis & Ndiaye. And that same Andre Brooks left footed from the right corner routine brought it all home on 74 minutes. Again, bang on Freckleton's head. This time, a calm header straight in for three nil.

Brooks had had enough of the wind by that time and was immediately replaced by Lankshear.

A beer you say? Fucking farce man. Some decent beer hits in Crewe obvs. But, not on a fucking Monday lunch or early afts. Come on. Just not happening that. I've not gone there to watch a football game. I've gone for the Beer. Fucking farce man. Can't wait to get out of this Tinpot League. (Hint, we can't get out of this Tinpot League).

So, on a day of train cancellations & hasty plan Bs. Let the record show…

The Brunswick Inn

1 Railway Terrace, Derby DE1 2RU

Yes. Derby. Get over yourself.

Brunswick Brewing Co, Rocket, New World IPA on Cask at 4.7%

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Strikers Gonna Strike

Sheffield United U23 2 v Crewe Alexandra U23 0 

U23 Professional Development League 

Tuesday 7 December 2021 

Played at Chesterfield 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #31 

Well. I must say. The Glassworks. The pub of choice. Just opposite the Chesterfield FC turnstiles. Is really growing on me. Obvs, we don't get the chance to go there all that often. But, it's feeling niiiiice to have a base. Always a core range of Brampton Beers on. And usually some of their specials rotating around. But, tonight, it was a guest cask that grabbed us.

Vocation Brewery, Bread & Butter, Dry Hopped Pale on Cask at 3.9%

Supped to universal approval by the Carrier Bag Firm. (Except the one who can only drink brown beers). It hit me so hard, that I remarked, to the whole pub, oooohhhh that is lovely. It didn't have that harshness that some dry hopped beers have. But, it was packed full of Hoppy Hopefulness. Floral. Mouthfilling. And delivered enough bitter in the finish so that you couldn't wait for the next gob full. Just excellent.

Brampton Brewery, Mild on Cask at 4.9%

One of those dark milds that's on the way to being a Guinness buster. Lots of dried fruit sultanas and/or currants all over it. Loved it.

Right. Was there a game? Too cold to make detailed notes. Too much bollocks to be talked to make detailed notes. Too much Vocation Bread & Butter to make detailed notes. It's pen picture time. Here goes no notes…

Jack Lester was here. Del Geary was here. The Carrier Bag Firm were passing around an online job advertisement for the role of lead U23 coach to replace Heckingbottom - deadline 20 December. It turned out that our current Head Of Individual Player Development, Michael Collins was taking the lead in the dugout on the night.

Jean Belehouan posted on his So Meed that he'd been out injured for 284 fucking days. Great to see him back. The best feedback I can give is - looked like he'd never been away. Strong & switched on from the off. Fitting neatly into a back three. Marauding forward on a couple of occasions. Didn't look remotely out of place.

And. The lesser spotted Will Osula also back from injury. Will replaced Angelo Cappello up top on 61. What can I say? The boy looks and plays like a striker. Facing goal. Barreling through with the ball. It would be a little unfair to say he changed the game. But, the U Two Threes have had to play with makeshift strikers a lot this season. And Will just made us more of an attacking threat immediately. His goal, on 87, sealed it for the Blades. He runs with it from deep. Gets closed down. The ball drops free to Hassan. But because Will continues his run, Hassan can do what he does well. A clever ball back right into Osula's stride and a calm, never in doubt, finish.

Hassan (Ayari) is not an out & out striker in my view. Him & Ange Cappello had kept at it all night. United pretty much dominated the game. There were chances. But I feel neither of those two are capable of stamping on a game up top. I've reviewed the footage. And I'm going to say Fuck Knows how Hassan has scored from that edge of the box free kick on 45. The wall has NOT done the job there.

I found Iliman disappointing. If you're going to be a breakthrough player mate, you've got to break through. Partly, I feel the same way about Iliman as I do Ayari & Cappello. If you're flair players. With the hips & flicks. You've got to be in the game ALL the time. You can't be anonymous. Contrast their performances with David Brooks at the same stage. Brooksy was in the game all the time. Running, chasing, spacing. I've seen a fair bit of Iliman. Sure. People say he can sometimes be easily knocked off the ball. That's due to his unbalanced body position, which is actually a strength, he's never where the opposition expect him. And, when he loses it, he can be tenacious about winning it back. He needs to build his game around that relentless style. He didn't tonight.

Harvey Cullinan. Playing tonight in a three with Gordon & Belehouan. Harvey had a really good game. He's coming on bounds & leaps. He reads the game well. He's a forceful organiser. Switched on. Always at his man. Forwards don't run at him, because they haven't got the space to. He's calm & sensible on the ball as well.

Harrison Neal absolutely bossed midfield. He's got a good all round game. Another one that's always at his man. More of a simple, pick the man out, passer of the ball, than a Hollywood Cross Fielder. (Although he has got that in him). Win. Recycle. His short passes tend to be forward & between the lines. Bossed it.

Lots of good shifts from the not mentioned as well. Crewe didn't really offer much of a threat going forward. A good, efficient performance from the Blades.

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CBF POOP

Crewe Alexandra U23 5 v Sheffield United U23 1

U23 Professional Development League

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Played at Alexandra Park Training Ground

SUFC 2019/20 Game 33

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The Carrier Bag Firm, man, they'll get you every time. Never cease to amaze me. Look I love them all to bits. Some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. I've named ‘em, I’ve blamed ‘em, but you'll never shame ‘em. Their Pursuit Of Obscure Paper (POOP) has gone to ridiculous lengths tonight. My thoughts are with poor Reece York. Look that was a very difficult day in the dirt for these Young Blades. Reece York was Captain for the day. Constantly trying to drive his troops forward and get them playing. Cajoling, encouraging, blowing his top at times if the truth be told. Box To Box. As is his usual procedure. It’ll be no great consolation me calling him Man of the Match, in what was a shockingly bad team performance. I don't mind admitting that as I was walking to the gate I did contemplate shouting “well played” over to Reece. Anyway, the Carrier Bag Firm like to make a quick getaway after the whistle. I was already halfway into the back of the car when one of the Baggers shouted us down asking for a minute.

“What's he doing?” we thought.

Someone suggested he was waiting to have a go at the ref (he has form)

Someone suggested he was waiting to have a go at United’s coaching staff (he has form)

“What's he doing Phil?”

“Mate, it looks like he's speaking to Reece York, he kept telling me he thought he’d played well. Maybe he’s thanking & congratulating him”

“Yes, that must be it, What a nice fella”

Anyway he’s eventually waddled back to the car and the inquisition starts. Turns out - he needs the Teamsheat and other associated meaningless bits of paper from the Under 23s forthcoming game away at Hull City on Saturday night. He himself will be at West Ham. He knows Reece's parents often turn up at games to support their Lad. So he's only brazenly gone & tried to co-opt Reece’s Mum to snaffle the Teamsheets for him. The CBF man!

Jean Belehouan, Ashton Hall and Kyron Gordon setup as the back three. Keenan Ferguson out wide right. Stephen Mallon out wide left. It needs saying, there was some appalling defending by United in this game. Standing off. Switching off. Nowhere near tight enough. Static. And giving the ball away. What a list. All I will say is that they looked marginally better when Kyron Gordon switched to the right of the three. But they got mercilessly punished by an excellent Alex team, who looked really strong and powerful all afternoon. Crewe looked very good and confident at close passing across the back line. Completely different to the hot potato approach of our defence.

It felt like on the rare occasions our centre backs pushed forward with the ball into central midfield, they got robbed. With Crewe breaking quickly to either score or otherwise create havoc.

Sam Ackroyd and Jake Young really couldn't get anything going up top at all. They always looked miles apart from each other. It barely made any difference when Sammy Ompreon replaced Ackroyd at halftime. Infuriatingly, we also seemed to be underhitting most of our corners. Callum Gribbin in partic. The Blades only really got anything going in very short periods. We actually started quite brightly with a very high press early on. That went South when we conceded on just 6 minutes. Stephen Mallon has come back from his spell in Australia and honestly he's only been a bit part player this season. To my fan’s eyes, he looks a bit lost at left wing back. Previously, much more effective in a creative midfield or even up top role. Mallon was binned at halftime and replaced by Harry Boyes. Look. No secret. I'm a big Harry Boyes fan. For a brief period after half-time, he did make a difference. More or less with his first touch, out wide left he came inside immediately and he was very happy to stay there as the move unfolded. That created a chance for Callum Gribbin who snatched it just wide.

We did try and change it up a bit at times. Half way through the second period. I noticed that Reece York was hitting it hard into feet to the strikers and attacking midfield players ahead of him. That did look a little bit better to be fair.

In the first half, I felt Tashae Andall-Gibbons had been about our most creative player. Inexplicably to me, he was pulled out at halftime in favour of Harrison Neal. Presumably to try and shore up the middle. Because it looked like Alex could just cut through there any time they fancied it.

One of the enjoyable things about watching games at training grounds is simply how close you are to the pitch. That can give you a real insight into players skills. Sometimes, it makes you realise how much you’ve actually forgotten about football skills. For instance, I'll single out Andall-Gibbons. He's a strong young man but a little on the short side. Today he was up against some Crewe Brutes. Bizarrely, it came as a bit of a shock to me, to realise that he is competitive because he simply keeps his eye on the ball. All the time. His touch and timing on the ball are very good so he has to keep looking at it. He's not really interested in where the big lump defender is. Nor what he’s up to. If Tashae has to go over him, round him or through him to nick the ball that's what I'll do. I also noticed how much he gets around the park. For a skillful and creative player he seems not to mind dropping in behind the wing back in order to get the defensive duties done. And then he’ll pop up on the edge of the box. Very aware, with a great eye for picking balls up and making things happen. Although not a great deal of that going on today if I’m honest. Look Pal, I’m looking for positives. Alright?

I won’t go through their Goals. Too painful. See earlier comments about appalling defending. Our consolation goal came on 75. That made it 4-1. Ky Gordon got a neat flick on a corner at the near post. Look. I’m in a mood. That was probably fucking underhit again. I’m not having that was the plan.

Bolton Wanderers Under 23 are in our League. Obvs, with their Trials & Tribs in the early season, they’ve struggled to fulfill fixtures. Only finished six so far. So. We’re above them in the League. Whoop. Whoop. After all that. Drink needed.

Brass Castle Brewery, Bozza Don’t Surf, Hopfenweiss on keg at a whopping 7.3%. From the main Bar in Kommune in Sheffield. FFS. I felt even that was a little undercooked. It needed banana or summat off the wheat. And, a big Hop Bang. Although, some positives, it handed a nice long finish. 

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How to beat the Odds

Crewe Alexandra U23 4 v Sheffield United U23 2
U23 Professional Development League
Monday 7 January 2019
Played at Alexandra Park

SUFC 2018/19 Game 56

May to May Brewery Visits - 73

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Not a good day for a Blog. Is it possible to be allergic to a place? That's the second time I've been a passenger in Carrier Bag Firm Car One over to Reaseheath and been nauseous. Maybe, it's that winding road with all the ups n downs. It was wet at the ground, and increasingly difficult to make notes. I needed a piss at 3-1. It's a long way to the changing block. By the time I got back to the touchline, I'd missed two goals & it was 4-2. You're not going to get much here by way of analysis of those goals. To cap it all. No. Beer.

It wasn't absolutely hurling it down. Just consistently wet. The Carrier Bag Firm have become quite good at categorising punters who turn up at U23 games. Parent, scout, agent, unwaged. One ever present is the guy who supplies the in game info for Betting Companies. “Corner to Team One”. “Shot off target from Zone five”. Normally, he/she is constantly tapping into an App. Events, positions. If you've had a bet on 11 or more corners - this is the fella who is providing the info to Betting HQ. Go on then. How did you think they did it?

Point being. It was wet enough for him to need to switch the app off & go to verbal instructions over the phone. So, wet enough for my notes to be useless I'm still working on details. But, there is surely a major Betting Coup to be had. When the Young Blades first goal went in, he asked me who had scored. I could have told him anything. When Crewe got their second, I misread the Ref's signal and (incorrectly) exclaimed - “he's disallowed it”. The Betting Info Wallah said “goal disallowed” to whoever was taking details at the other end. Anyway. A little slice of CBF life for you there.

So. Sorry. Very little by way of commentary report from me. It was very much an end to end game. United did struggle at times. On balance, I'm sure Crewe deserved that win. There is an important FA Youth Cup game next week. And, I think the team & positions were chosen a little bit with that in mind. The firm assumption is that Sam Graham's loan spell at Oldham has ended. He set up on the right of a three. With George Cantrill in the middle.

Stephen Mallon started as left wingback. But, he took a knock in the first half & was replaced by Harry Boyes. The main eyecatcher was trialist (on the sheet as) Chiekh Ndiaye. There was some frantic Googling. And staring at images & haircuts. I've got him as a kid at Boreham Wood FC, born in France, and called Iliman-Cheikh Ndiaye in “other contexts”. He set up, and popped up, all over midfield. Often in that drive forward, find a gap, John Fleck (ish) role. Anyway Ndiaye showed a lot of nice touches and was calm and assured on the ball. He scored the opening goal with an intelligent header. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Not absolutely outstanding & head n shoulders. But, noticeable and got a few heads noddings. He was subbed off at 70. That was planned. I know that because I was enjoying some quality Travis Time & he said “right I'll go and get that Trialist off, see you next game”.

Me, I'd have another look at him. Particularly as the Academy now had a Harvey Gilmour shaped hole.

763/1602

Apology Accepted

Crewe Alexandra U23 0 v Sheffield United U23 2
U23 Professional Development League

Played at Alexandra Park (Crewe Academy)

Thursday 19 April 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 83

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I felt the Young Blades were the better team. But, in the final analysis. There wasn't that much in it. We went a bit off the boil in the second half. Despite the fact that Crewe were down to ten men from 52 minutes. (A Red Card, I didn't really see it, he's tangled with Will Portman).

I need to set that against many positives. Keenan Ferguson back from injury. One of a centre two with Semple at times. One of a back three with Doherty added at other times. During key periods of the first half. When Utd were dominant. Keenan had a number of surging runs forward through the line. Unfortunately, he got a knock after 85 & limped off. As did Callum Semple after 90 +5. Callum was clattered on the ankle just outside their box. As he was limping off, Utd hit the post with the free kick.

Ty Smith had a very lively game. Bang in it. Better than I've seen him recently. I know it'll sound simplistic. But, he just ran the channels. Get half a yard on his marker. Stay upright in the inevitable wrestling. Control. Get a shot off. Simple game …

Tyler scored the second after 35 minutes. George Cantrill gained it & worked it neatly on our left. Nudged it in for Smith. Bit of composure. Dink.

Regan Slater had a storming game. Tenacious. Organising. Calm. Storming game. Simeon Oure came deep on 16 mins. Played it off to Slater. He's hit a perfect first time ball into the Smith Channel. Tyler shook his man off. If I'm critical, he was a bit too greedy. Could/Should have squared it to Gilmour. But, not too much wrong with a bit of greed in a striker. Shot wide. Regan was consistently strong in the tackle & strong in the surge. Coming deep. Appearing long.

By that time, the Young Blades were already one up (7 mins). Smith robbed a man on the right. Took it on. Worked it with trialist Ollie Crankshaw & Harvey Gilmour. Gilmour got it left to Slater. Calm as a very calm thing, he's beat a man & picked his spot.

Google suggests Crankshaw is with Colne FC. Fourteen goals in 29 appearances. I felt he did himself some favours today. He looked on the pace. And he lasted the pace. He had a hand in that first goal. He attacked at pace. And fitted in well with the others. He started well. Got a good lay off with his first touch. Played intelligently, showing to get the ball of the CBs & midfielders. He was basically wide left attacking midfield. Trav sent him on a wander about, roving role at times.

As an aside. Some nice Personal Skills from George Cantrill. He's been clattered from behind over on our side. He's said quite a few Rude Words as a result. A Crewe Carrier Bagger, (sat in a fucking camping chair no less), had (jokingly) given it the old “Language Young Man”.

George doesn't flinch - and very politely says
“I'm very Sorry”
(Note - genuine, not sarcasm)
(Crewe fella impressed)

There was “supposed to be a Game 84”. The Futures U19 away at Worksop Town & some hunting of the beer. In the end, hot n bothered, Alton Towers rollercoaster over the High Peak, a bit of Amateur Hour, I just couldn't make it work.

Which gave me the rare opportunity of seeing the British Phenomenon of the Beer Garden on the first Hot Day of the year. So, that's a Garden. With Beer. A real garden, with grass & bushes, outside. With beer. You never see white dogshit anymore do you?

Except it was the Wagon & Horses at Millhouses. So, it's more a Beer Patio than Garden. I'll save the description of what people were wearing (& remember this is in Sheffield) for another day. The combination of lighter evenings, the Park, the fucking weather & that PATIO, had brought people out in force. The availability of an 8.6% New England IPA seemed to be less of an attraction.

They ran out of a particular branded Normal Lager glass. (Was it Amstel). While I was queuing for my beer, they were telling potential diners there was a one hour wait for food. By the time I sat down with my beer. Yes, of course in fucking side. I'm not a savage. They were telling potential diners there was a one and half hour wait for food. As I was draining my glass, they were telling potential diners that they could no longer take food orders. One lady managed to persuade them to serve her two portions of Focaccia & Olives (a pub FFS). As they required no cooking.

As the Youngsters say - Scenes.

Brew York, Nuba, New England IPA on keg at 6.6%. A thoroughly enjoyable beer. Nicely opaque. Nicely unGloopy. Fizzing & refreshing. Nice Hoppy bitterness. Which grew & grew. Without becoming overpowering. Lovely.

644/1339

Draw Drink Win

Sheffield United U23 1 v Crewe Alexandra U23 1
U23 Professional Development League 2
Played at Stocksbridge

Dunkirk U19 0 v Sheffield United Futures U19 2
North Midlands Development Football League U19 League Cup

Thursday 1 February 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Games 52 & 53

Dunkirk was the 203rd different ground I have watched an SUFC XI play on. All ages, all compos, all surfaces. That was the second leg of a very hectic double header. 2pm kick off for the U two threes at Stocksbridge. Half time in The Old Crown Inn (Handsworth). Then a 7:45pm kick off at Dunkirk, by The Trent in Nottingham. Thanks are due to tonight’s Carrier Bag Firm driver - who even got me back well before my last bus home.

Quick Under 23 Round Up

That result leaves Utd in third in the table. 28 points from 18 games. We’re three points behind Sheffield Wednesday, from the same games. They come to Bramall Lane on Monday, 5 February. Basically, if we beat them, we’ll go above them into a play-off spot. Bolton are out in front with 34 points from 18 games. The table is a little “false” - as Nottingham Forest, a point behind us in fourth, have only played 15 games. Incidentally, the Golden Boot is reasonably interesting. Young Blade Tyler Smith is in second place - 13 goals from 14 starts. But, currently top of the pile is Shirecliffe Graduate Connor Hall, released by us & signed for Bolton Wanderers. Sixteen goals from 15 starts.

Charlie Scott, from Manchester United’s Academy system, trialled recently for us v Aston Villa and Bolton U23s. I see he’s now signed for Hamilton Academical on loan for the rest of the season.

Today’s U23 Game

I was quite, bordering on very, disappointed the U23s didn’t win that. I did think we were the better team. I did think Crewe were barely in it for long swathes. But, we didn’t capitalise on possession & chances. And, we made a defensive error which cost us. See, the First Team Reports…..

We set up with Graham in the middle of a back three, Doherty on his right and Norrington-Davies on the left. I’ll be honest, that works, but does seem a bit makeshift. Doherty has “starred” as an attacking midfielder. Rhys has “starred” as an marauding left wing back. Slater & Gilmour (both great today, as per) in front of them. George Broadbent wide right (again somewhat makeshift). Stephen Mallon wide left. Jordan Hallam in the hole & coming at you at pace. Jake Wright & Ty Smith up top - target man & pace, for eg.

Bang at it from the off. A great flowing move down the right - Broadbent to Hallam to Smith - quick look up, slipped it inside to Hallam again, and a composed finish. One Nil. All after three minutes. You’ll understand why I was disappointed to only draw after that buzzing start.

A lot of very tenacious work by Slater throughout. Breaking up play. Chasing them down. Making them make mistakes. And. When he’s spoilt all that. Good, quick feet, accurate link up passes. Not afraid to take it on, start again & build. After 20 minutes, the Young Blades had another great move down the right. Broadbent & Smith involved. Having dragged the Crewe defence that way, Slater carried the ball all the way across field to build it on the left. Stephen Mallon fed an overlapping Norrington-Davies. Came to nothing. But, a great flowing move in possession, at pace, down both wings. Within five minutes, maybe with different personnel, they’d done it again. That ended with a cross cum shot by Mallon. In the Blog after the win at Ipswich, I “called Stephen Mallon out”. In a good way, I might add. Congratulating him on his return from injury, but feeling that, in future games, he needed to get more in it & make a positive contribution.

I really enjoyed his performance today. He got better & better as the game went on. Before his injury, I was beginning to feel that left wing back role suited him more (than conventional wide left). Just more involved & more able to use his skills. He’s got the flicks & tricks. Good eye for the ball. The defender lunges. Booof. He’s gone. Today, he coupled that with signs of good strength on the ball. And, good at his defensive duties. He made a last ditch tackle deep in the penalty area to rob the Creweite. Effectively keeping Utd in it at that stage.

As well as possession, we had a smattering of clearish chances. Slater loves a long killer pass. Maybe tries it a little too often - nitpicking. He banged a free kick from deep in his half right into Jake Wright’s stride. He got a good shot off, but the keeper saved well.

Naming names. Bang on half time. Sam Graham missed his tackle & man on the edge of the box. That left the fella able to push it onto the edge of the six yard box & his mate has done the cool finish. One each.

After half time, we got the nearly a year out return of Callum Semple. He actually replaced Jordan Hallam - with a reshuffle. Callum went straight to the centre of three. Graham switched right. I’m yet to be convinced of him out there - previously and today. Semple looked solid & assured. Looked on the pace & switched on to me. He got a good few solid defensive headers in early on. That will have settled him. Later, he popped up in the area for one of our corners & got a good header in, only narrowly over.

The reshuffle freed up Jordan Doherty. He’d done little wrong in the back three. But, for me, he shone more, and is better suited to midfield. We were treated to The Jake Wright Show in the Jamie Vardy stand. He tended to creep over to our left in the second half. As target man for our goal kicks, etc. He is a better player, when he concentrates on his own game. Wins it. Lays it off. Runs with it. Gets a shot off. Once he’s tangling with defenders. Verbally & physically. No. He loses 10% (made up) effectiveness. That said. He had a reasonable game. He was on the end of some good chances.

Overall. A good performance. Not rounded off by the right result.

The midway drink

To make the logistics work, that was in The Old Crown, Handsworth. Way, way off my patch. But, well known as “the meet” for the Handsworth Blades AwayDay coach. Deffo a first time in for me. Nice simple three handpump setup.
Kelham Island, Easy Rider on cask at 4.3%
Chantrey, New York Pale on cask at 3.9%
for me.

Today’s U19 Futures

The Carrier Baggers were not to only ones to make the mad dash from Stocksbridge to Dunkirk. Sammy Ompreon & Kyron Gordon were unused subs for the U23s. And, they both turned up in the starting XI at Dunkirk. Sorry if I miss anybody. Along with Connor Cutts & Angelo Capello - being the only others I recognised. Indeed, Capello scored the first for United after 14 minutes. With a pacy run & neat dink over the keeper. It was a ding dong cup tie. The young Dunkirkers put up a great display. Chances at both ends. Lots of commitment. A few handbags. A bit of swearing. What else are you going to do on a Thursday….?

United held it together well. The Dunkirk keeper made save after save. Really kept them in it. Although it was far from one way traffic. The Futures put it to bed in the 75th minute. Our fella has shrugged off two challenges, shoulder to shoulder. Kept the ball at his feet. Then was (my opinion) scythed down in the box. Not the opinion of the two Dunkirk fans behind the goal. No. No. No. Not their opinion at all. Given the language they used to the Ref. Anyway. The Penalty is banged home. No Extra Time will be necessary. No last buses will be missed. These U19 & U21 League Cups that the Futures are in are messy affairs. There is a fair deal of scratching, walkovers, cancelled & postponed. But, I can bring you the news that our U19 Futures are now in the last 8, Quarter Final. Drawn to play Dronfield Town at Home - date tbc.

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