A contested contested Bounce Up

Oxford City 4 v Sheffield United 3
(Billed as U23)

Pre Season Friendly

Saturday 22 July 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

That is my 194th ground watching a Sheffield United XI. ATACAS. Any Team Any Competition Any Surface. If it's got a Penalty Spot marked, it's in. And, it's a good job too. Two United goals came from penalties. Jake Wright Jnr fouled. Hallam’s spot kick was beaten out by the keeper. Hallam followed up, and with a bit of a scuff, knocked in the rebound. Hallam was himself fouled for the second. Got up & scored.

I'm Old School. Bounce ups are to be contested - as per the rules. You can tell what type of player Wright Jnr is. He had a big wrestling match with 5 & 3. Once settled, the ref gave a Bounce Up. Natch, Jake decided to contest it. But, was very unhappy at how (or indeed, if) the ref bounced it. He's CONTESTED A CONTESTED BOUNCE UP. Later on, he's fucking done it again. Binnion subbed him early in the second half to save him getting sent off. Someone needs to get a grip of him, or he'll waste his talent.

I noticed Gilmour is now taking a lot of the dead balls instead of Hallam. Particularly left wing corners & free kicks where a left footed curler might be best. Jordan is still banging home the pens though.

Gilmour & Slater worked well together in midfield. Slater in the Coutts role. Taking the ball off the keeper & back three. (Cantrill, Graham, Wallace). Gilmour was very assured & calm on the ball. IMHO, he's growing as a player. Sam Graham is just calm. While all around him is blowing up. While others are wrestling & snarling, Graham just gets on with it all. Very cool temperament. That will serve him well. Wright Jnr - not so.

I thought Ty Smith was a little anonymous in the first half, but he certainly came more into it in the second. He was basically up top. With Wright/Parkhouse. Jordan Hallam was in the hole (& attacking from deep).

Disaster. Much signage for Brakspear’s Beers on the entrance to the car park. Sure enough. One handpump on the Clubhouse bartop. Off. Look what you could have won.

So, the after match drink was in the Lamb & Flag. Seven on cask. Wild Beer, Madness IPA on keg (maybe more, it was busy).

Palmer's, Lamb & Flag Gold on cask at 4.5%. Nice & refreshing. It's got that sort of “tinny taste” going on, but it's not making it unpleasant. I'm getting a lot of orange taste from it. The sweetness is very pleasant. Booked sweets. Barley sugar. Just a hint of bittering. But, it's a Gold. All about the sweetness off the malt that one.

506/1068
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