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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