Buses Long Gone

Leeds United U18 1 v Sheffield United U18 2

U18 Premier League Cup

Played at Thorp Arch

Saturday 3 September 2022

SUFC 2022/23 Game #12

Hull City 0 v Sheffield United 2

The Championship

Sunday 4 September 2022

SUFC 2022/23 Game #13

I'm not entirely sure what is going off. But, this season our Young Blade U18s are playing in the U18 Premier League Cup. Whether that is by application, luck of the draw, or by invitation, I know not. Although I suspect it's invitation. Looks to me like us, Charlton and Ipswich from Category 2 Academies in what is, primarily, a Category 1 tournament. Seven (?) groups of four teams at this stage. We're in with today's oppos (Leeds), Brighton and Palace. We play each of those once. Disappointingly, both Brighton & Palace at home, thus restricting Ground Ticking.

AnyRoadUp, a great chance for the U18s to test themselves against "higher" opposition. Believe me, these sort of games matter to both sets of lads.

The Leeds lads were very ratty throughout the game. I don't like to see that. And, even though I'm biased, you rarely see that from the Young Blades. For reasons unknown, Leeds became fucking obsessed with how long throw ins were taking. I didn't detect any real element of time wasting in what United were doing. But, the Falling Apart Againers just wouldn't shut up with their incessant chirping.

But, it's the close to bullying I can't abide. Right in front of us, one Leeds defender found fault in his teammate. Couldn't see much wrong myself…

"If you get a chance to do it, fucking do it"

Fair enough, mistake made (apparently), say your piece. But, then another kid has added his fucking parroted bile.

"Yeah, if you get a chance to do it, fucking do it"

The assembled Carrier Bag Firm and Parents muttered as one - oh do fuck off the pair of you. Things came to a head on 58 minutes. (It was one nil to The Blades at that point). The incident was over the far side from us, right in front of the benches. The Ref gave a free kick to Leeds. Owen Hampson held onto the ball. You know the drill. Someone pushes Owen, Owen pushes someone, someone's teammate pushes the pusher of the pusher. I believe ONE Leeds player stayed out of it. He was over my side, having a drink from a water bottle. Otherwise, the lot. Players. Benches. All three officials. Including the lino from our side. To be fair, it looked like the Leeds bench were trying to get their guys in line.

I made all the usual gags about identity parades & taking fingerprints. While the three officials gathered in the centre to replay it all in their heads.

Me? I was adamant. Hampson's fault. He started it. Shouldn't have held onto the ball. If they've seen that, he'll be the first in the book.

Sure was. And then Levis Pitan and Mekhi Haughton-Parris. Of course, I didn't realise my immediate neighbour leaning on the white fence as I grassed Hampson up was his Mum. But hey-ho.

Usual over zealous bollocks getting in the complex. There's one bus an hour from Leeds. Get there early or late, that's the choice. So, I had to join a throng of early arrivers who were told we wouldn't be let in until 15 minutes before kick off. Then, he triaged it…

"Any scouts watching the U16s to me please…"

Et fucking Cetera.

Set up four at the back as per usual. Levis Pitan and Jayden Prunty as centre backs. Jack Waldron out right. Mekhi Haughton-Parris out left. I think basically it was Billy Blacker as a lone striker. And very fluent in Midfield. Staniland anchoring. Sam Aston out wider right. Ethan Cummings out wider left. Hampson & Dickinson packing in. But, all of those willing to get forward in support. Luke Faxon in the gloves.

United started on the front foot. Sam Aston hit the post coming in from the right on just 2 minutes. On 8, comedy villain Owen Hampson pressed as Leeds tried to play out. He robbed the centre back and took it on. The keeper got involved and spilled it twice as Owen & Billy tried to make it happen. In the kerfuffle the keeper brought Owen down.

George Dicko Dickinson put the penalty to the keeper's left.

I had assumed the lone striker, pack midfield, "strategy" was a defensive one. Designed to keep the supposed better team at bay. But, you know what, it was actually working extremely well as an attacking strategy. It seemed United ball carriers always had options, invariably wide, to go to. Lots of bright link up & through the lines play early on.

Dickinson had two great chances just after his penalty. Hampson, Dicko & Billy B linking constantly. A lovely flowing move on 30 ended with a Blacker left footer being saved for a corner. As the hectic half (h)ended, I felt United had been very effective. They were bostin' at closing Leeds down, not giving them time to think. And they were confident & accurate going forwards themselves.

Leeds subbed on two at HT. And, fair do, they started much brighter. But, Staniland was reading the game well and intercepting balls, particularly square balls. Great work by Leeds on the edge of the box on 53 ended by a su…perb block by Jayden Prunty.

Leeds equalised on 64. After that bench clearing altercation, remember that? A great clean header from a corner.

The game was very even at this stage. Some worries that, having caught us up, Leeds would go past us. The Young Blades did stay in it however. Waldron and Aston continued to work intelligently, Aston filling in when Waldron went (& stayed) forward.

Stafford Clarke replaced Ethan Cummings on 68, with Sam Aston reshuffling left. Ten minutes later, Seth Okyere replaced Prunty.

And. Lovely. With just five minutes left, United went ahead. A whipped in free kick from the left. More or less on the line. Blacker there to just tap it home. I always think something has gone wrong with the defending when that happens.

Hectic last five followed. Leeds worked a nice flea flicker free kick down the right, ending with a great save by Luke F. He was also booked for time wasting. Leeds lads going garrity by this stage. King Kurt Havenhand replaced Blacker to eat up a bit more. United scored a ruled out for offside goal. Tavio Ciccarelli replaced Aston to eat up yet more. And. On 51 minutes the ref blew. Blew, a good while after the one an hour buses to both Leeds and Wetherby were long fucking gone.

Sheffield United win two one.

The Carrier Bag Firm blagged a lift to the environs of;

Wetherby Brew Co

York Road Estate, York Rd, Wetherby LS22 7SU

On an industrial estate. A good few picnic tables outside. A mezzanine floor inside. With the main bar downstairs. Brewing kit on the left. Bar in front of you as you walk in. Six of their own on Cask. Two of their own on Keg, plus two guest kegs. Idiosyncratically, they were only serving in pint glasses. Order a half, comes in a pint glass. I tried;

Wetherby Brew Co…

Wetherby Bitter on Cask at 3.8%

Wetherby IPA on Cask at 4.4%

Western Skies, Amber Ale on Cask at 5.2%

Wetherby Blonde on Keg at 3.9%

And, what I think was the best of the lot;

Wetherby Brew Co, High Hopes, American Pale on Keg at 5.2%.

Slightly hazy, lots of hops, just a little underpowered.

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