Not So All Conquering

A Ground of two halves

Notts County U17 1 v Sheffield United U17 1

U17 Professional Development League Cup, Group E

Tuesday 22 October 2024

Played at the Norman Archer Memorial Ground, Clifton

SUFC 2024/25 Game #22

Ground Tick #509

Different Ground watching a Sheffield United XI #237 /infinity

The second game in this competition for the - can I see your ID please - Blades. The Carrier Bag Firm have decided to sack off home games in this cup at Fortress Shirecliffe. The problem with First Team Training Centres is - there's always Security.

Can I help you Sir?

Hiya mate. We've come to watch the game.

What game? No one has told us about a game.

That game there. Behind you. With the floodlights on. And the red n white shirts. And. Hark. There's the Referee's Whistle.

What game? No one has told us about a game.

Fucking Joke.

AnyRoadUp. None of that nonsense out at my 509th Ground Tick at Clifton All Whites. Nice set up, which we didn't fully appreciate at first. Approach it from the direction we did, and it's for all the world a slightly down at heel, needs a lick of paint, United Counties League Division One, Step 6 ground.

Approach it from the other direction. And it's for all the world a modern “lower” EFL Academy Complex. Classrooms. Changing Block. Offices. Café. 4g pitches and cages.

The CBF went down that way for wee wees many.

That draw leaves United with a lot to do in this - play each other just once - group. Two draws from two now. Only one team guaranteed to progress. No longer in our hands. And we're looking for the Mansfield Town U17 v Burton Albion U17 result to help us out. (Relying on Burton NOT winning).

Ben Grainger gloving. Back Three with Wingbacks. Bobby Hessle in the middle. Sam Colechin on his right. Thomas Dearden left. Captain Armband Frankie Jones wide left. Mosiah Chambers wide right. Ben Murray quarterback. Archie Christie-Crainie left mid. Marley Parr-Pearson right mid, pushed up, bordering Ten at times. Riley McLachan and Noah Kiwomya up top.

It felt a bit like United had left some more experienced Big Hitters on the bench. Aaron Reid came on like-for-like-for Ben Murray at half time. Charlie Bulmer came on for Noah K on 67. Lamine Sidibe came on for Archie C-C on 78 as United tried to chase the game later on.

Reminder. This is a Cup Competition. With Academies from different levels of the Academy Pyramid. “All Conquering” Sheffield United Academy are from the Big Boy League. With teams in our group (Burton Albion, Mansfield Town and Notts County) from levels below. Maybe not so “All Conquering”.

A draw seemed a fair result to me. Maybe it's a trick of the light. But Under 17 seems a lot more disjointed than Under 18. Less cohesive. A fair few mistakes. Not much fluidity.

United went ahead on 64 minutes. A right wing corner swept in by Jones. Met bullet header perfect by Thomas Dearden. Into the top of the goal. One Nil. Note - Jones had tried those corners a few times previously. With a tendency to overhit them straight out for a goal kick!!!

The equaliser was just six minutes later. And was clumsy as fuck. A long ball over the top into the inside right channel. The attacker was chasing it to the byline. The United defender was sort of shepherding him. But, put his hands in the middle of the Notts lad’s back. The lino flagged immediately for a push and a Penalty. Converted. One Each.

County had hit the bar as early as 4. When a deflected shot looped up. A few corners in succession. And intelligent pressing. Put the Young Blades increasingly into the game. The Notts keeper seemed to have a heavy first touch. And United were causing problems attacking that.

Riley Mac was lively at times. He had a shot blocked on 63, just before our goal. It all got a bit frantic after the Notts equaliser. Aaron Reid had a good effort on 87. A great deep cross from Mosiah on the right. Header just over.

The Baggers were after a Double Header today. Second game up at Hallam. So, I'm going to claim the same Pub for both games.

The Itchy Pig

495 Glossop Rd, Sheffield S10 2QE

Lovely Beer Board today.

Siren Craft Brew (Wokingham), Juicy Details, Hazy IPA on Keg at 6%

Hybrid IPA yeast. Citra, Strata and Nelson Sauvin hops. Glorious. Not too thick. But a lot of juice. Big bitter finish.

You can find my first Ten years of Blogs at www.ball-sup.blogspot.com

Going forward, Blogs will be at

ballsup.substack.com

Would you please consider subscribing (free) to have my Blog delivered to your email inbox (via Substack). Thank you.

You can find me on Social Media

X @ball_sup

Untappd ball_sup

Stats

I have now Blogged from 1,513 games in 3,717 days