Sheffield United Minus One

But, we make Ball Par thanks to the Search Party

Charlton Athletic U21 1 v Sheffield United U21 1

Professional Development League

Tuesday 1 April 2025

Played at Sparrows Lane Training Ground

SUFC 2024/25 Game #68

I'm £3.75 down in Sterling.

But I gained a big credit in confidence.

The fucking balloon went up 26 and a half hours before kick off. The Carrier Bag Firm had targeted this fixture from a long way out. As it was originally fixed for Princes Park, Dartford. That would have been a neat Ground Tick. But it was switched ages ago to The Valley. A bit meh. But a game is a game.

AnyRoadUp. Just over a day out, “sources” were telling me that the game had been switched again at short notice to that CBF Nemesis - The Training Ground. Generic Nemesis. Training grounds usually benefit from inflexible security. As in the default setting is often;

“What game? No one has told us about a game. The first team are in today. I'm afraid I won't be able to let you in.”

And. Don't get me fucking started on Shirecliffe!!!

So. Recap. Balloon Up. Change of venue. I immediately went on the Charlton website looking for confirmation and information. Only to discover;

The silly fuckers were still selling online tickets for the game as if it was still at The Valley.

Well. I'll fucking have one of them. (Well, obvs, more than one, the Carrier Bag Firm will have one each.) Hence £3.75 down. But, I'll relish turning up at the Sparrows Lane complex.

“Sorry you can't come in.”

“But, I have a ticket. Here see. What's that you say? This ticket is for The Valley. And the game has been switched here. To NotTheValley. No my friend. This ticket is for THIS GAME. Are the toilets this way…”

In the event, I didn't need that ticket to get in. Some Baggers viewed it as a waste of money.

Not me. I was buying Confidence I'd get in without a ladder and/or boltcutters.

As well as a one one draw, in a late show, I also have another unusual result to report. Just before kick off, Danny Cadamarteri, and the KitMan, and our superb Media Guy were rustling in the bushes, and along the path, behind one of the goals at Sparrows Lane. Clearly, I'm saying clearly, searching for a missing football from the warm ups. Presumably absolutely thunderblasted miles wide, and kilometres high by H Boyes esq.

It is normal in these circumstances for each ball to be Sharpied. So you can identify it as a SUFC ball. Rather than a CAFC ball. And for each ball to be counted back into the bag.

A quick enquiry revealed that the three man search party had NOT found the errant SUFC ball. But, on the QT, they HAD found a Birmingham City ball.

Now. My research suggests that Birmingham City have not even played at Sparrows Lane this fucking season.

So, that's a great find Lads

Sheffield United minus one

Birmingham City minus one

But, Sheffield United make Ball Par

On the pitch, not in the bushes, the Young Blades struggled a bit there. As they have in recent games. Indeed, three draws in the last four games. Two Nil Nils. By the time I've gotten around to writing this Blog, they've won on Middlewood Road. Leaving us twelve points clear at the top, having played two games less than Hull in second.

Drawing our way to the title…

Jeff missing again today. Under the one game in two rotation policy.

Hewitson in goal. Sasnauskas, Baptiste, Tahir across the back. Sam Colechin wide right. Boyesy Boyes wide left. Waldron and Blacker anchoring midfield. Ethan Cummings in the hole. Marshall Francis up top with Jevan Beattie.

Zach Giggs and Alfie A replaced Colechin and Cummings on 67. And Okyere replaced Tahir on 80.

I wasn't in the mood for detailed notes I'm afraid. United were all rather disjointed. The Addicks scored on 19. Following an absolute howler from Tahir.

Sure. We had chances. But, mainly, we ended it all in a flurry. A string of chances. And a string of corners. At the death. And Billy Blacker rifles one home on 90 +6.

In need of suitable celebration, we headed for;

The Green Goddess

43a Vanbrugh Park, London SE3 7AA

There's a microbrewery behind some glass. But I couldn't really get information if/when/are they brewing on it. I suspect not.

Fifteen on Keg. Two on Cask.

Tartarus Beers (Leeds), Collab with Emperor's Brewery (a bloke called Damian apparently), Knights Of Ren, Imperial Stout on Keg at 12.2%

I'm told at the bar that The Green Goddess is the only Gaff in Big Smoke to have this launched on Keg. Double mashed & boiled for over 3 hours. Conditioned on coconut flakes for over a month. Added chocolate and pistachio essence. Thick, bitter chocolate coming in strong. Some rum booze grows. Sugar followed by more sugar. Luxurious. But, best not go looking for any missing footballs after that fucker.

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