Three Man Corner Routine ... Again

Sheffield Town 0 v Dodworth Miners Welfare 2 

Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League, Premier Division (Step 7) 

Wednesday 3 May 2023 

Played at Dodworth Miners Welfare 

Sheffield United U18 0 v Peterborough United U18 2 

U18 Professional Development League 

Wednesday 3 May 2023 

Played at Bramall Lane 

SUFC 2022/23 Game #69 

Yorkshire Main 3 v AFC Bentley 2 

Central Midlands Football League, Premier Division North (Step 7) 

Tuesday 2 May 2023 

Played at Edlington Lane 

Dodworth Miners Welfare hosted that Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League game. Even though it was nominally a home game for Sheffield Town. That ground is my 429th Tick. Having harvested my 428th tick the previous evening at Yorkshire Main's Edlington Lane ground.

I couldn't quite make it to the full time whistle at Yorkshire Main. The Doncaster to Sheffield X78 passes the top of the road at Warmsworth. And, it made no sense to miss one and wait for the next. Only Two English, any bus, any distance at the moment in South Yorkshire. Bargain.

I'd have been alright if they'd kicked off at the scheduled 19:00. But, as is the way, the Ref hadn't turned up. (He confided in me later, he thought it was a nineteen forty fiver). The game started with one of the linos reffing. And one of the Bentlianites lining. I expect there's a protocol. Because, when the Ref turned up at 19:07, he went on the line, rather than with the whistle.

The Yorkshire Main tearoom had a domestic fridge. Which when opened revealed a range of cans of beer & cider. That should really be the key to a night of fun and frolics. But, and I'm afraid this is often the case, some home fans merely used those alcohol delivery systems to fuel snarls & snorts at opposition players. I'm sure rivalries are intense in this league, and between smaller villages and suburbs. But, it all feels a bit unnecessary.

The game had a number of flashpoints. A Main defender went down claiming he'd received a headbutt. The late Ref and those flashpoints delayed me further. And, after a kick out & potential stamping in the gloom as the minutes ticked away looked like escalating, and the X78 left Donny, I'd seen enough. 

Main went two up with goals on 22 and 27. Bentley pulled one back on 31. Main scored a third on 57. And Bentley again on 62. At which point, the ref asked for the lights to be switched on. So he could see who was kicking who.

A disappointing result for the U18 Blades at Bramall Lane. Because of the complete fuck up we've made with pitches at Shirecliffe and who/where/what the Academy can groundshare, this was the first U18 game at The Lane this season. United were very poor in the first half. Nowhere near any second ball and conceding a lot of space to Posh in midfield. A switch of system at the half, more commitment and more endeavour, saw us back into it. And that killer second goal only came on 90+2.

We started with a back four in front of Callum Yam. Jack Waldron and Ben Drake as CBs. Mekhi Haughton-Parris conventional left back. Fourteen year old Sam Colechin at right back. Chaz Staniland on the right of midfield, Brandon Ly on the left. Fluid in the middle with Stafford Clarke and George Dickinson. A welcome return for Billy Blacker up top with Tavio Ciccarelli.

At half time, George Dickinson dropped to centre back in a three. Mekhi & Sam C got much further forward. Staniland dropped into a take it off the keeper and back three Quarter Back role. And, United looked much, much better in that shape.

That said, I felt Ly, Clarke and Ciccarelli spent long periods not involved. Blacker too - although maybe he's getting back to full fitness. Sam Colechin was fully involved and the easiest thing to say is - he looked in place out there, looking for the ball and doing his jobs well. 

Peterborough went ahead on 26. After some sloppy defending and a good deep cross from their left. Our markers were left floundering and it was a neat comfortable header to make it one nil. The Young Blades continued poorly. On 39, we had an attacking free kick about 35 yards out. The fucking ball seemed to be back wit Callum in seconds. In the next phase, the Peterborough #2 ran yards and yards and yards, with midfielders and defenders backing off, offering no challenge. Summed the half up really.

I remain fascinated with this three man short corner routine the eighteens have been using. With the switch at HT, newly crowned centre back George Dickinson was unsure whether he should work the routine on 46. He glanced at Paul Quinn on the bench for reassurance.

"Back yourselves."

I got pictures.

The drink for this Blog was in;

Dodworth Tap

20 Station Rd, Dodworth, Barnsley S75 3JA

That was a lovely place. Very comfortably furnished. I don't want to sound damning. But, it was plush in a sort of Prosecco and Madri way. Five handpulls on. Ossett, Bradfield, Titanic, Vocation, Salt. So felt a bit safe. And a Salt on Keg amidst the major premium brands.

SALT, Tweed, Dry Hopped Pale Ale on Cask at 4%

Chinook in the boil. A mix of Centennial, Mosiac & Cascade in the dry-hop. Very hoppy. Quite soapy. Rich Tea Biscuit smell. Sweetens out a bit as you get down it. Tangy bitterness in the finish.

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Saco de Plástico Torcidas

Peterborough United U18 1 v Sheffield United U18 2 

U18 Professional Development League 

Saturday 29 January 2022 

Played at Peterborough United Training Ground 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #45  

Peterborough United 0 v Sheffield United 2 

The Championship 

Saturday 29 January 2022 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #46 

An unprecedented Double Header as both the U18s & First Team take on Peterborough away. With a very drinker friendly half five kick off for the Big Lads. Suffice to say the Carrier Bag Firm were All Over It. (See also SPT).

Peterborough United's sponsor named idverde Training Ground is the 228th different ground I've watched a Sheffield United XI play on. And the 381st different ground I've watched any football on. Felt like a bit of a piss take if I'm honest. Very, very few training complexes have seated, covered stands that you can sit in & watch the game. Peterborough's complex had TWO fairly well appointed stands. But, both of those were on different pitches to the one being used for the U18s. So I had to stand on the touchline, behind the rope, looking longingly at what I could have won.

Games are coming thick n fast for the U18s & U23s. Add loan outs & injuries to the mix. Indeed, four of the one eights starting XI today had been on the bench for the two threes the night before as we dug deep into the roster. (Hampshaw, Anderson, Hampson & Marsh).

Following the recent Academy reshuffle, we've yet to officially appoint a lead U18 Coach. New Head of the Whole Academy Shooting Match, Del Geary was here, trying, desperately, to not get involved in the hands on. He was stood behind the U18 goal, where he could also keep an eye on the Under 16s. But, the little varmint couldn't help himself. Barking encouragement & instructions. At one mad point, for a free kick on our right, Del even lined himself up just outside the post & encouraged the left footed kicker to use him for the target and curl a shot in.

Just to finalise the touchline tally, there was a bloke with the full Polish FA bench coat & trakkie bottoms on. Presumably watching centre back Levis Pitan. Levis was recently named in a Polish U17 squad.

It would be unfair to say the game was spoiled by the high wind. But, it was very hard for either team to get any real sort of control. United's winner came as late as 83 minutes. I'm biased. I thought we were worth that win. We'd been trying to manage & see the game out from way back when. And a Posh equaliser on 78 looked to have flushed that strategy down the khazi. What a winner it was as well. 

Josh Smith put a ball in. Right on George Dickinson. His first time volley was spot on. Didn't even use fucking Geary as his target. As he rocketed it home. The first goal (29 minutes) came through strong work in the box by Louie Marsh. Keeping the ball tight to his feet, and getting his shot off across the keeper.

Louie is one of those kids who has grown upwards. But, not yet outwards. He's far from a bean pole. But looks like he could use a few plates of chips to turn into upper body strength. I've not watched him much, but he has that sort of natural striker thing going on.

As we'll claim, the Carrier Bag Firm view themselves as dedicated game watchers. Kick it, and we'll turn up. But, if you get the chance to attend a game when 'nando Macedo is playing, get yourselves at it. (What I presume is) his extended family & friends turn up. Mob. Handed. Brazilian flag. Synchronised hand claps. But mainly joyful SCREAMING every time the ball goes near 'nando.

Game recognise Game. Salute to the Saco de Plástico Torcidas - Up The SPT.

The once in a generation post game, pre game drinkypoos was in;

The Wonky Donkey

102c High St, Peterborough PE2 8DR

Despite the address being High Street, that is very much not in the centre of Peterborough. Indeed, it would be better described as on the High Street in Fletton. Convenient for the ground via the BackWhacks. A single shopfront Micropub. But, goes back a long way. So, there are effectively two rooms & a patio/garden affair out back. I chatted Mine Host up. Fair to say - he's chucked himself at charity. Fair enough. Not my bag. He'd much rather tell me about the barbecue (for charity), the dominoes team (for charity), the quiz night (for charity). Than about the beer. Get some ale sold kiddo, take my money, pocket it, and pay your tax (I'm sure he already does btw), make a living.

Five on Cask. Cash only. I went;

Brewster's, Pull The Other One, Golden Ale on Cask at 4%

We might as well call that an Omen Beer. Given what happened to Rhian later in the day. Poor fucker. Great beer, mind. Bright & refreshing. And in excellent condition. Just enough sugar survived. The brewery is in Grantham. 3.75/5

Blue Monkey Brewery (Giltbrook, Nottinghamshire), Ape Ale, Golden Ale on Cask at 5.4%

A nice enough, but uninspiring, straight ahead Golden Ale. The flavours all rushed at once & it didn't all quite gell together for me. 3.25/5

Tydd Steam Brewery (Tydd St James, Cambridgeshire), English Bitter on Cask at 4.6%

I enjoyed that. A rather gentle English Bitter. 3.5/5

And. Finally. A lovely, convincing win for the First Team. Yes. I know. It's consistency we need. But we'll take what we can get, when we can get it. The aforementioned injury to Rhian didn't look too bad, did it? Walking wounded. Hopefully he won't be out for too long. 

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