So Paint Me

Hartlepool United 1 v Sheffield United 1
Sheffield United win 4-3 on penalties

Tuesday 1 September 2015

Johnstone's Paint Trophy

Twitter @ball_sup

The Rant

In case anyone has read previous Blogs & is in any doubt, I Am Against Modern Football. So, to all those with the chatter about losing to Hartlepool will be a blessing in disguise. To all those who wanted us out to chatter about concentrating on getting out of this poxy league. I say I'm right you're wrong.

Here's the proof. The more games we play, the more different beer places I can get to & the more beer I can try. Incontrovertible Logic. I’ve been in The Golden Smog. The Defence Rests.

But I've said too much about what I'm against. Here's my working definition of what football I'm for. 11 players vs 11 players of a similar, but not exactly the same standard. So, the slightly weaker team can aspire to be as good as their opponents. And, with a fair wind, the weaker team have a puncher's chance of beating the supposed stronger team. You don't want every game to be a dour draw, but you don't want horrendous mismatches either. Let’s just call it Football.

Barcelona v Real Madrid every week does not football make. Neither does throwing Hallam FC in to mix things up. David shall mainly play David. Goliath shall mainly play Goliath. Goliath will very occasionally play David.

Manchester United play Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup & Football League Cup.

Sheffield FC play Evo-Stik League First Division South, FA Trophy, FA Cup, Evo-Stik League Cup.

There is some overlap, but essentially they stick to their own level.

Same Rules Apply. The Blades play Division 3, FA Cup, Football League Cup & Johnstone's Paint.

You play in 4 tournaments at, slightly below & slightly above your level. Whoever you are. And devaluing any competition hurts your financial bottom line. You want to buy players. You need income. Some income comes from sponsors (Johnstone’s Paint). Sponsors won’t sponsor if teams aren’t taking it seriously. By belittling the Johnstone’s Paint, you are making it hard for United to sign players. You selfish gets.

And, mate, games come thick and fast. There are other priorities. Very few people can go to every game. You’re excused. But, if you can’t go. Just keep schtum. No need to try & put the rest of us off.

The Beer

Ah, I see the problem there. I’ve been in Stockton-on-Tees two “micropubs”. One was beer cave style. But, one was shiny cafe style. The hands down winner was The Golden Smog (1 Hambletonian Yard). Hidden down an alley. Four on cask & some ciders. I had a superb Almasty, Citra Pale on cask at 4.6%. Deep, intense bitterness. Long finish.

The Wasps Nest was more shiny cafe style. Three on cask, but all from Allendale Brewery. I had their Curlew’s Return at 4.2%.

The Football

United started brightly. Particularly Flynn & McNulty. From memory, McNulty eventually gave the ball away for the Hartlepool goal. So, I’ll mark him down for that. But, otherwise he was bright & lively. Unfortunately, Higdon has not done himself any favours. I’m beginning to feel sorry for him now. I think he’s trying. But, he maybe just hasn’t got it for our level. Good game time for some players.

197/406

Chris Porter v Alechemy Smoked Porter

Sheffield United U21 2 v Huddersfield Town 3

Sheffield United Youth 3 v Hartlepool United 1
(FA Youth Cup)

Monday 27 October 2014

Twitter @ball_sup

A rare double header today. Usually the only opportunity is U18 at Shirecliffe on a Saturday morning & the 1st team at The Lane in the afts.

Collins & Porter both started for the U21s.  Collins played the full 90. He looked fit & strong. Huddersfield were physically big  strong & fast. They played a lot of long balls & a lot of balls at pace past & behind the defenders.

United's defence (Collins included) struggled with those at times. Although they did get a bit more organised as time went on.

Collins won his share of headers & looked committed & switched on. Porter was subbed, uninjured in the 2nd half. Maybe he'll have some role in the League Cup at MK Dons.  Porter struggled to get in the game & make an impact. A few good touches here & there. A couple of good lay offs. But nothing banging on the door of the first team.

Huddersfield had the better of the first half. United were bright at times. Huddersfield took their chances.

At 3 nil in the 2nd half, they were cruising. But, fair play, United kept going & scored 2 quickly & dragged themselves back in it.

I think Huddersfield deserved the win. But credit to the spirit & staying power of The Blades.

In between games the drink was in Brewdog on Division St. It's CollabFest at present. Each Brewdog bar teams up with a brewery & collaborates on a brew. If you get in quick all 16 (this year) brews are on at once on a when they've gone they've gone basis. It's actually a neat idea. Sighs. Increasingly it's being "Brewdogged". The weirder the beer, the better could be the strapline.

Everything chucked in this year. The Smoked Porter from Brewdog Dundee & Alechemy is smoked using teak from Scott's Antarctic ship RSS Discovery. Now that is beer PROVENANCE.

At least Brewdog Sheffield had the grace/sense to aim for a high quality Double IPA (called Shut Up Meg) at 7%.

Anyway. It's a great idea/festival. I enjoyed it. Across the days I went I've had 7 of the 16. The Porters (in order) were

1. Brewdog Dundee Alechemy Smoked in History
2. Brewdog Shoreditch Five Points Brewing Smoke & Mirrors
3. Chris

Great win in the Youth Cup, which remains a fantastic competition. Having watched many games in it over the years, I do have a foolproof method for winning it. The team with the least number of kids going down with cramp wins it. Get the warm up/diet/hydration right & you're there.

Hartlepool started very well. Hit the woodwork & had some blocked/cleared off the line. But United got stronger & finished the game really well. I know many people look at these games as to who might progress in the future. But I love the games in their own right. 22 (plus) kids pulling on their shirts and in the main giving their all.

But let's pick out Daniel Cockerline. Should have scored really. But created a number of one on one chances with pace & control.

Great win.