Misplaced Trepidation

Sheffield United U21 6 v Ipswich Town U21 0

Professional Development League

Tuesday 15 August 2023

Played at Chesterfield

SUFC 2023/24 Game #7

Mentally, the Carrier Bag Firm approached this first Academy U21 game of the season, back at our new old home in Chesterfield, with some trepidatiousness. The logistics of getting to our recent old home at York City were more challenging. But, a lot of the games weren't streamed. So, this Blog, as a match report, retained some original content. Increasingly, as more and more SUFC games at all levels are streamed, what is the point of me providing on the whistle, 106 minutes, reports. Everyone has seen the game anyway.

And, at least we know York is a wonderful beer town. The Chesterfield ground, out on Whitt Moor, certainly has its beer moments. But, is maybe not seen in its best beer light for a Tuesday Two O'Clocker. As I said, mentally, approaching with trepidation.

Physically, the Carrier Bag Firm approached this first Academy U21 game of the season, with some footwearyness and a right fucking thirst on. Following that 11.2 mile, 450ft of ascent, WALK from CBF Towers to the Whitt Moor Lidl. We've ended up with 31,805 steps for the day.

United won the Professional Development League, North last season. By EIGHTEEN fucking points. Played 28, won 18, lost only 4. That was the third year running we'd taken the regional title. We then hammered Bristol City in the National Semi Final. But lost out to the Southern winners, Millwall, in the National Final. It's worth repeating, despite our recent dominance in the North, we have never won the Professional Development League National Title. And, remember, this is effectively Academy U21 Division Three. There is no promotion based on league position. We can only reach "U21 Division Two" if we invest money into our Academy infrastructure and coaching. Yeah, Right…

Indeed, two "new" teams have invested money to move up into our level this season. Fleetwood Town and Bournemouth.

"Beauty, some ground ticks for you there, Phil"

I can hear you saying. Well, we've already ticked Fleetwood's Poolfoot Farm training centre for a Central League Cup, Northern Semi Final in 2017. (Got beat 3-2). But, yes, Bournemouth's Canford Park Arena is on our radar for April next year.

United had been tweeting the usual Bollocks about entry to the ground for this Under Two One game. One English Pound for United season ticket holders. Times four that for Civilians. And. Of course. None of the infrastructure for that to happen was actually in place. The reality was we walked into the Chesterfield Reception. We were asked by the Blazered Steward whether we were Scouts or Player's Parents. The Carrier Bag Firm have a stock response for that Lazy Academy Football Question;

"Yes…"

We were then escorted upstairs, along the corridor, and into The Brampton Brewery 1866 Lounge. The Steward's plan was then to escort us through the sliding glass door out into the stand. As I explained. That. Is. Not. Fucking. Happening. And, I can further explain why in two pictures. A sort of before kick off and just before half time montage.

I could caption those photos - Trepidation Gone. I've Blogged before (including from the First Team friendly at Chesterfield earlier in the season) what a great Footie Beer SALT, Loom, Pale Ale on Keg at 4% is. Banging a drum, it's also on the pumps at Hallam FC, Sandygate. Get yourself up there.

So, I don't want readers to miss the signals here.

It was FREE to get in. They were serving SALT Loom (and other beers) in glass glasses made of glass in the lounge. From which you could watch the game, while drinking the beers. United won 6-0. Louie Marsh scored a Hat Trick.

This may not happen every week. Don't. Miss. Out.

There is, unfortunately, a down side. I'm piling into the Pales rather than writing detailed scouting notes. But, you've all seen the Stream and Clips anyway.

Luke Faxon doing the diving. Connor Barrat in the middle of a three with Sai Sachdev and Miguel Freckleton. Femi Seriki wide right. Jili ditto left. Marsh and Hackford fluid up top. Chaz the Staniland anchoring midfield. Josh Smith & 'dre Brooks with him.

Overall, that didn't feel like six nil. Ipswich were suicidal at times though. And created very little. On 8, their keeper tries to play it out under gentle press pressure from Louie. He barely gets it out of the box, before Brooks robs the defender. It falls back to Louie to calmly finish. That lead lasted to 45. A flowing move out right saw Femi put a good, low, simple ball in for Louie to tap home.

Marsh Trick Hatted on 55. A move down the right from a Sachdev throw. Hackford plays to Blacker (on for Brooks). He toe pokes to Marsh on the edge of the box. A superb right foot chip over the Ipswich keeper. A young kid. At the top of his game. Confidence flowing. He thinks he can do anything.

That made it four. Because just before that, Marsh had A'd. A nice bit of hold up, he picked Josh Smith out on the edge. And he scored a great, powerful, accurate low right foot shot. Hackford brought it all home on 59 and 68.

That win celebrated on Whitt Moor once the pubs started opening at 4.

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