Adidas In Vains

Bristol City U21 0 v Sheffield United U21 0

Professional Development League

Tuesday 4 April 2023

Played at Ashton Gate

SUFC 2022/23 Game #56

That turned into a hard fought, hard won draw for the Young Blades. Who were down to ten men when Joe Starbuck was second yellowed off on 56 minutes. One of what seemed like dozens of clumsy challenges. And he wasn't the only fucking one. Those clumsy challenges interspersed with mucho slipping and ending up on arses. Whomsoever is in charge of boots needs to get a grip - literally.

These are two of the top three (Division 3) Under 21 sides in the country. United have already won the North Group. And Bristol City and Millwall are toe to toe in the South. Every chance we'll meet them again in the post season. Remember, they knocked us out of the PDL National Title Play Offs last season.

I don't think we should read too much into today's team selection. A bit inexperienced. Luke Faxon (in goal) and Stafford Clarke (right back in a five, and then a four) making their U21 debuts. And an unused bench full of effectively U18 lads (they've got an important game the day after).

Anyone, and I mean any fucking one, who Heckingbottom might need for the first team at any point, and I mean any fucking point, is being protected.

Luke diving, Stafford out right. Connor Barratt in the middle of the three, Sai Sachdev at RCB and Joe Starbuck at LCB for as long as he lasted. Jili Buyabu wide left. I'm going to simply say - makeshift defence that. Sachdev most often seen as a right wing back. Right footed Joe Starbuck, often seen at RWB, occasionally seen at RCB, asked to play left centre back.

Charlie Staniland anchor. With Josh Smith and Sydie Peck pushed up and fluid. Marsh (generally right) and Hackford (generally left) up top.

Jili Buyabu had a stormer. Switched on. Looking to get forward all the time. Happy to come inside with the ball. Just before the break, I counted Jili involved three times in a set of flowing across the field short passes. He ended up being dispossessed on the right wing!!!

But, I was a bit disappointed in Starbuck, Sachdev and Staniland. Lots of clumsy tackles, arse falling and mishit clearances. As early as 3, Starbuck was caught in possession, Staniland was caught in no man's and only a good block by Connor Barratt tidied that up.

On 28, it was Sachdev's turn to be Bambi. But, fair do, he recovered well and put enough pressure on the Bristol lad to force him to shoot wide. More or less immediately, Barratt slipped, he took the option of handling the ball on the floor. Yellow, could have been Red.

The United subs were running new boots around the perimeter. Starbuck, in particular, put some new 'uns on. Adidas In Vains I believe. He ended up with those two clumsy Yellows. Both within 11 minutes of the second half starting. Sachdev found time to lose the ball again in between those cards.

Anyway. Sloppy, Slow and Slipping at times in defence. It weren't all doom and gloom. I think we just about created the best chances. We started house on fire. Controlling the game, nice cross field balls and getting dangerous out wide.

On 9, Josh Smith broke with the ball and cleverly fed Louie Marsh down the inside left channel. He opted for a first time right foot side foot (looked a good option to me), but the keeper did well to save it. Josh couldn't control the rebound well enough to make something happen.

Bristol City hit the post just after that. With a left wing cross, which neither side could get anything on as it bounced and bounced and nudged the far post. On 19, good link work by Marsh played Hackford in, but he got snuffed out. After that good early spell, I felt we got sloppier and City gained a bit more control.

Sydie Peck, who had been lovely and busy, couldn't really get on the ball. Marsh persevered. His skills at bringing others into the game shining at this point.

Luke Faxon made a few important saves and high cross gathers. And we needed a bit of reorganisation once Starbuck went. Basically we just went to a four and maybe dropped Josh Smith into a slightly more defensive role.

United were actually pretty good as a ten. The long coaching session on the side while Faxon pretended to have cramp made them focus and be clear on their roles. We continued to have chances. I thought on 62 Louie could have done better. His twists and turns in the box lost him momentum and the keeper did well to snuff him out. On 67, Antwoine cut in nicely from the left, but couldn't get a shot away.

I'd really like to see Hackford improve the target man bit of his game. He often misjudges the clearances and goal kicks which come his way. Putting a feeble jump up to where the ball is not. Defenders find it easy to cope with him in those circumstances.

City had their own reorganisation on 73. The kid was sent on with the bit of paper. The body language said - unfathomable. As five or six City players read the new "I'm none the wiser" instructions. Helpfully, Louie Marsh read the instructions as well - he was told to Fuck Off an' all. Eventually, the bit of paper was tucked into number eleven's sock. The Carrier Bag Firm wouldn't have minded that as a souvenir. Grab it for us next time Marshy!!!

Anyway, hard fought, deserved it, might have won it.

Bristol is, of course, a superb Beer Town. Probs my current favourite. Brewery after Brewery. Most pretty accessible from the city centre. What? What's that you say?

"Maybe Phil, but not on a fucking Tuesday Teatime."

Lasses and Lads, I give you;

Little Martha Brewing

23 Oxford St, Bristol BS2 0QT

A classic railway arch brewery. The trains in and out Temple Meads, just a few minutes walk away, pass right over your heads. Nice and modern inside. The small brewing kit is behind the bar.

Four of their own on Keg. Four guests. I understand they often serve two of their own straight from the tank. But, following thorough questioning, it seemed only one on today. As it turned, that was the best of an excellent bunch.

Little Martha Brewing, Halo Orbit, Session IPA from the Tank at 4.8%

A lovely, full on, Hazy IPA. I mean, I'd have said Pale Ale from the bitter profile. Great balance. Easy drinking.

Little Martha Brewing, Mysterious Intergalactic Object, NZ Pale on Keg at 4.5%

Fair enough. That got better as I got down it. And, all told, was a nice beer. I just felt it all came at you a bit rushed, and then it was over. No flavour phasers (he he he). The bitterness was salad leaf.

Little Martha Brewing, Quantum Fluctuations, American IPA on Keg at 5.8%

OK. I get it. You can call anything an IPA these days without getting arrested and thrown in jail.

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