Meet Step Seven Steve

Glapwell 3 v Harworth Colliery 4 

Central Midlands Premier Division North (Step 7) 

Saturday 18 May 2024 

Ground Tick #488 

NBDR

No Beer Don't Read 

Glapwell’s somewhat dilapidated Hall Corner ground is the 488th different ground I've watched football on. At this time of the year, you tick what you can get. So, that's how me & Step Seven Steve found ourselves in the Central Mid.

The changing block and tea hatch are behind one goal. With the turnstile gate in the corner at that end. We set off on the traditional lap of the ground (clockwise) to unwind our bones from the car journey over here. We completed the full lap and Step Seven Steve wanted a cuppa from the tea hatch. He's in the queue. But pulls out.

“Fuck Sake I need to retrace me steps. The programme has fell out me pocket.”

“I'll go this way” (points anti clockwise)

“You go round the other way” (points clockwise)

“That's the best strategy…”

I found the fucking thing behind the goal at the other end of the ground. As fucking far as it was possible to get from the original tea hatch location.

Incidentally, there was a big corrugated fence at that end. And, the noises we could hear from behind it, particularly the cheers, suggested there was another game going on.

“What's happening over there mate?”

“Cricket.”

Must have been a hell of a game. From the number of cheers, I calculated the away team must have been about 94 runs for 23 wickets…

There had been some confusion at Carrier Bag Firm Towers in the morning about the precise nature of this game. So, we'd had to deep dive into the FA Full Time site to check a few things out.

It's a 16 team league. Thirty game season. This morning, hosts (Glapwell) were played 29, won 1, drawn 1, lost 27, goal difference minus 143. Hell of a season that. And I support Sheffield fucking United.

By the end of September, they'd lost 5-1, 6-1 three times, 7-1 twice, 8-0 and 9-0. In March, they lost 11-0 at Doncaster City. Their win came away at Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves in December.

But. I'm here to testify. They gave it a right good fucking go today. As did Harworth. An absolute credit to themselves. This. Is. Football.

I'm not ashamed to say - I lost my shit in the first minute. A Glappy striker broke away. Took it on. And the calmest finish under the keeper to put them one up.

Lasted seven minutes until Harworth equalised. I felt Glapwell might have done better if they'd protected and helped out their keeper. Harworth went ahead on 29. The keeper beat out a shot from distance. He did well. Got everything behind it. And beat it out a good way. But, no defenders followed in for the rebound and it was an easy goal for the Harworth guy.

Not exactly a carbon copy on 45. But similar. This time, the keeper rather tamely pushed out a low cross. Again, no defender alert, so a very easy tap for 3-1. Amazingly, there was still time for Glapwell to pull one back before HT.

It looked to me like the younger lads in the Glapwell XI were tiring. But, on 62, #7 kept at it on the left. He won the ball back, put in a speculative shot, and the Harworth Colliery keeper spilled it horrendously, and it spooned in over/through him. For three all.

But the dream died on 71. From a free kick. I thought he might try a daisy cutter under the wall. Step Seven Steve thought he'd curl it over the top of the wall to the keeper's left. But, he's done the lot of us - but particularly the keeper - with a straight as a die, yard off the deck shot just inside the post to the keeper's right.

Harworth four, Glapwell three, heads high for me.

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Three Phase Day One

Northamptonshire 297 for 5 

v Derbyshire 

County Championship Division Two 

Friday 17 May 2024 

close on Day One 

Played at Derby 

“Yes, come in me Duck.”

Said the Derbyshire Steward as I sheepishly (you could have tried “Ram-ishly” there Phil) offered my Yorkshire Membership to allow me in free under reciprocal arrangements.

Straight ahead Two Can day. It can be a bit of a challenge buying #CricketCans these days. Lazy County Championship days are neither the time nor the place for tucking into something at the high Craft end. What you need is some supermarket tins.

But, what comes out at you from the shelves?

Your Camden Hells, your Meantime Pales, your Beavertown this that others. Your “hang on, where are they really brewed nowadays” Brooklyn & Sierra Nevada. Your Craft-a-Likes, mate, that's Greene King. 

And - Brewdog. Given how far they've become the beer company they shouldn't have, I'm not having those fuckers leap off the Waitrose shelves at me.

In the end. Siren. A mixed pale four pack. Beautiful. Put them in the cool bag. Make the Carrier Bag Firm pick them out without looking. Beer Bagatelle. Comes in within budget at £6.75.

I thought I might be able to shave summat off that by using my myWaitrose loyalty card (on my phone). Scanned it.

“Sorry, you'll have to try again, that hasn't worked.”

“Sorry, same again, it's not working, I'm not sure why, maybe try again.”

I stepped back and assessed the situation in its entirety.

“Oh no. Of course it's not working. I'm using my Morrisons More card. Both green logos you see …”

Have I mentioned I'm 65?

Siren Craft Brew (Wokingham), Yu Lu, Pale Ale from a Tin at 3.6%

Got some Earl Grey tea and Lemon Zest in it. They're very much background flavours. Trying, but not entirely succeeding, to enhance rather than overtake. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I found “the tea” came and went a bit. There in some slurps. Not in others. Needs mashing for longer!!!

Siren Craft Brew, Mesmerist, Pale Ale from a Tin at 3.4%

Moreish and very soft pale ale. Got a nice bitter hit in the finish.

Three phases at the ball hitting. Northants batted after winning the toss. Huuuuge appeal off the first ball. Not the last either. Edges running through the slips, or flying past Third, all day. But Ricardo Vasconcelos and Emilio Gay weathered it. And pushed on a bit once the opening bowlers had gone for a rest. Vasconcelos got to his fifty. But was out straight away. That was 99 for 1. And phase one.

That became 121 for 4. As the Derbyshire bowlers pushed into phase two. Karun Nair was fourth gone for just 6 off 34. I'm always intrigued by Nair. In 2019, I saw him make 303 Not Out for India in a Test in Chennai against England.

I was in a box. And I remember leaving it for Row Z in the stand as Nair neared three hundred.

“If I'm going to clap him through 300, no good me doing it in the box, he won't be able to fucking hear me.”

That was his first ever Test century. In just his third Test. And he went on to 300. But, he only ended up playing six Tests in all. 

Anyway. Northants. 121 for 4. George Bartlett & Rob Keogh put on 124 runs in phase 3. Bartlett went at 245 for 5. And they ticked along nicely to the close.

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She's Been Bra Shopping

Everton 1 v Sheffield United 0 

Premier League 

Saturday 11 May 2024 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #70 

Visiting some Pubs on football AwayDays can be great because there's a large range of superb tasting beers. And some Pubs can be great because of the absolutely mad shit which has gone on.

The Lower Angel

27 Buttermarket St, Warrington WA1 2LY

Had a lot of both. Our timings were a little off. For reasons unknown, the GangMaster prints out a list of away fixtures in time for the first game of the season. Details include date, departure time and cost. Of course, loads of games are switched for a variety of reasons. So the list is redundant before the ink is fucking dry.

The original list had Everton away on Saturday 11 May (that survived), departing at 10am (that didn't). At some point, the GangMaster has had a relapse, checked his pub opening time alignment with his departure time directive calibrated against his mileage chart.

Firstly, he's considered an Act of Parliament to change the pub licensing hours.

Secondly, he's considered another Act of Parliament to increase the speed limit to 100mph so he can get the coach to the pub earlier.

Thirdly, he's considered moving Warrington closer to Sheffield, or vice versa.

He's absolutely gobsmacked when the World won't bend to his will on those options. So, he's said - fuck it, we'll set off at nine.

Thing is. Once he's made that decision. He turned from his GangMaster persona to his MotherHen guise. Constantly reminding everyone it's Nine, not Ten. Not Ten as set in stone on the original first match of the season list. The list that everyone throws away as soon as the first fixture changes.

You can check my phone. Two reminders a day for two weeks that it's nine, not ten.

He's also rode roughshod over the initially announced £25 fare. Declaring it a FREE TRIP. So, that'll work.

What happens? We get to Warrington before opening time. The Carrier Bag Firm fragments. A small few find ourselves wandering into The Lower Angel, as it appears to be open before time.

I chat the Manager up, as you do. A lady comes in. Nice and friendly. Calls me La’. I call her Love. She's in her twenties (guess). Stone cold sober as best I can tell. Not a black eye. But she's had one recently. Orders a Madri. Gets a load of coins out. And passes them to the Manager one at a time.

“I'm gonna need more. I'm gonna need more than that. More…”

In only a few minutes, another female member of staff arrives. To relieve the Manager who clearly has to nip out for a bit.

It's a distinct two room pub. But, the Madri lady is a bit of a walkabout livewire. And she's in a different room to the new BarPerson. As they are reunited, briefly…

“Oh fucking hell. Not you. I can't be doing with you this morning. I thought we weren't serving you no more.”

Let us say - the assumption is they have previous. But, as a Madri has already been purchased. We're all good for now. Except.

The Madri lady makes a bee line for the CBF table. She addresses one of us directly.

“Excuse me. I need to speak to a woman.”

Appropriate Bagger attempts to detach herself for the supposed Womanno a Womanno.

“No. It's alright. You can stay there. I just wanted to tell you I've been Bra Shopping.”

(makes gesture of holding breasts up)

I don't think anyone expected it to unfold thus.

The new BarPerson was bang at it brilliant. As more and more CBF arrive. Including MotherHen himself. The BarPerson has got it all on. But, she's serving many at the same time (not Madri lady obvs). Pulling pints in both rooms. Letting ‘em settle. Forgetting nobody. Forgetting nothing. I feel she deserves some appreciation.

“Can I buy you one?”

“Thank you.”

Pulls double vodka. (Incidentally she clearly doesn't charge me full for that). Downs in one. High Fives me (I'm 65). And says;

“I haven't really been to bed since Wednesday morning…”

Absolute Mad House.

It's effectively a Liverpool Brewery pub. A magnificent nine on Cask. Aaahhh, matching the new coach departure time, I hear you say…

Liverpool Brewing Co. Hop Burst, Pale Ale on Cask at 4.1%

Great beer. Falconers 7Cs, Mosaic, Azacca. Soft mouthfeel. Some grapefruit. Great flavours.

Liverpool Brewing Co. Cascade, Pale Ale on Cask at 3.8%

Absolute belter. There's a good deal of gentle bitter up the back end. And some sugar first up. Lovely balance.

Liverpool Brewing Co. Kitty Wilkinson, Milk Stout on Cask at 5%

Named for Catherine Wilkinson, the Saint of The Slums. During an 1832 cholera outbreak, Kitty had the only boiler in her neighbourhood. She invited anyone to wash their (potentially infected) clothes and linen, saving many lives. As a campaigner, activist and fundraiser, she was later responsible for the opening of the first combined washhouse and public baths in the UK.

We toasted her, enthusiastically, with that stout. Congratulations - you have just been informed by the Carrier Bag Firm.

Incidentally, as I bought that one, having already established my friendly credentials with the vodka swilling BarPerson, she said;

“Watch the bar for me La’. If anyone comes in, tell ‘em I've gone for a wee…”

Lovely Mad House.

Very disappointing performance. Never really out of it at one nil. But certainly never really in it either.

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Paving Slabs & WTF Factories

SJR Worksop 3 v Harworth Colliery 1 

Friday 10 May 2024 

Central Midlands Premier Division North (Step 7) 

Ground Tick #487 

NBDR

No Beer Don't Read

St Joseph's Rockware of Worksop's Rockware Sports Ground is the 487th different ground I've watched football on. I love the idiosyncrasies and ingenuities of non-league grounds. But, it's a thin line to take between celebrating and piss taking.

Just have a look at that remarkable twelve seater main stand. The foundations amount to piled up bricks. And the seats are hexagonal paving slabs. Marvelous.

And, of course, one doesn't want to appear to be stereotypical. But. The vistas around that ground could only be in the North. A rather dilapidated social club and changing rooms across the cricket pitch. A ginormous Asda. A main road, with some kids frequently doing motorbike and push bike wheelies along it. Some old factories built in brick. Some modern factories built in cladding and fascias. In both cases, big signs proclaiming what the factories make. In both cases - what the actual fuck is that thing they're making!!!

SJR raced to a two nil lead by 35 minutes. Extended to three nil on 75. Before Harworth pulled one back almost immediately and gave it a go to get back in it.

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A Labour Of Love List

Worksop Town 5 v Penistone Church 0 

Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup Final 

Thursday 9 May 2024 

Played at Hillsborough 

No Giant Killing. As Step 3 Worksop Town saw off Step 5 Penistone Church rather straightforwardly. An enjoyable game nonetheless. With Church playing their part in a - go home with your heads held high - way.

You'll understand that the Carrier Bag Firm keep a keen eye on fixtures around the place. Here's some County Senior Cup gamesthat have pricked up our ears.

Tuesday 14 May. Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Final. Step 3 Basford United v Nottingham Forest U21. At Coronation Park in Eastwood.

Tuesday 14 May. Northumberland Senior Cup Final. Step 6 Blyth Town v Newcastle United U21 at St James Park

Wednesday 15 May. Birmingham Senior Cup Final. Step 5 Racing Club Warwick v Aston Villa U21. At Villa Park. 

Wednesday 15 May. Bucks & Berks Senior Cup Final. Step 4 Marlow v Reading U21.

That got one of the Baggers speculating…

“Phil. I don't get it. Here we are in Sheffield. The so-called Home of Football. Yet our Big Boy Clubs, United, Wednesday, yer Rotherhams, yer Barnsleys, yer Donnys don't play in this County Senior Cup.”

“But, we know from your fixture trawl that some other PL and EFL Clubs do enter sides in their County Senior Cups. Alright, it'll only be the Academy sides.”

“Even so, United Under 21s away at Rossington Main. Be a right fucking doooooh.”

“Phil. What gives? Is there a definitive list of PL and EFL Clubs that have entered sides in 2023/24 County Senior Cups? And how far they got?”

“There fucking is now. Although. Maybe better to say comprehensive rather than definitive…”

“That's a fucking week of my life I'll never get back.”

I'd be very interested if any readers spot any errors. And more particularly any omissions.

And, please, no one get precious as to how teams are described - U23, U21, U18, Reserves, B - the point is clear - they've entered one side or another.

Wednesday 13 March. Bedfordshire Senior Cup Semi Final. Step 4 Biggleswade 3 v Luton Town U21 0.

Friday 12 April. Birmingham Senior Cup Semi Final. Aston Villa U21 3 v Coventry City U21 1.

Tuesday 19 December. Birmingham Senior Cup 3rd Round. Step 5 Darlaston Town beat Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 on Penalties.

Tuesday 12 December. Birmingham Senior Cup 3rd Round. Step 5 Racing Club Warwick 2 v Birmingham City U21 0.

Monday 11 December. Birmingham Senior Cup 2nd Round. Step 5 Romulus 3 v Burton Albion U21 0.

Wednesday 22 November. Birmingham Senior Cup 2nd Round. Step 5 Darlaston Town beat West Bromwich Albion U21 on Penalties.

Tuesday 28 November. Birmingham Senior Cup 2nd Round. Step 5 Tividale 1 v Walsall U21 0.

Tuesday 23 April. Berks & Bucks Senior Cup Semi Final. Step 4 Marlow 4 v Milton Keynes Dons U21 2.

Tuesday 16 April. Cheshire Senior Cup Final. Step 3 Hyde United beat Crewe Alexandra U21 on Penalties.

Tuesday 23 April. Cumberland Senior Cup Final. Step 3 Workington 1 v Carlisle United U21 0.

Tuesday 6 February. Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup Quarter Final. Step 2 Buxton beat Derby County U21 on Penalties.

Tuesday 19 March. Essex Senior Cup Final. Step 4 Redbridge beat Colchester United U21 on Penalties.

Wednesday 28 February. Gloucester Senior Challenge Cup Quarter Final. Step 5 Roman Glass St George beat Cheltenham Town Reserves on Penalties.

Tuesday 5 December. Gloucester Senior Challenge Cup Quarter Final. Step 2 Gloucester City 4 v Bristol Rovers Development 1.

Wednesday 15 November. Gloucester Senior Challenge Cup Quarter Final. Step 4 Cribbs 5 v Bristol City U23 2.

Wednesday 27 September. Gloucester Senior Challenge Cup 1st Round. Step 5 Roman Glass St George 2 v Forest Green Rovers 0.

Tuesday 26 March. Hampshire Senior Cup Semi Final. Step 5 Portchester 3 v Southampton U21 1.

Monday 11 March. Hampshire Senior Cup Semi Final. Step 3 Totton 3 v Bournemouth U21 1.

Wednesday 15 November. Hampshire Senior Cup 3rd Round. Step 6 Folland Sports beat Portsmouth U21 on Penalties.

Tuesday 19 March. Hertfordshire Senior Challenge Cup Quarter Final. Step 2 St Albans City 5 v Stevenage U21 2.

Tuesday 30 January. Hertfordshire Senior Challenge Cup Quarter Final. Step 4 Hertford Town 2 v Watford U21 1.

Tuesday 17 October. Kent Senior Cup 2nd Round. Step 2 Maidstone United 2 v Gillingham U21 0.

Tuesday 13 February. Liverpool Senior Cup Quarter Final. Step 3 Marine 4 v Everton U21 0.

Tuesday 19 March. Liverpool Senior Cup Semi Final. Step 4 City of Liverpool 2 v Tranmere Rovers 1.

Monday 29 April. London Senior Cup Final. Step 3 Hendon 1 v Charlton Athletic U23 2.

Tuesday 6 February. London Senior Cup 2nd Round. Step 2 Dartford beat QPR U21 on Penalties.

Tuesday 14 November. London Senior Cup 1st Round. Step 5 Barking 1 v Leyton Orient U21 0.

Wednesday 1 November. London Senior Cup 1st Round. Step 5 Sporting Bengal United 3 v Wimbledon U21 1.

Tuesday 26 September. London Senior Cup 1st Round. Step 3 Wingate & Finchley 2 v Brentford B 0.

Tuesday 28 November. Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup 2nd Round. Step 3 Hayes & Yeading United 2 v Brentford B 0.

Wednesday 10 April. Norfolk Senior Cup Semi Final. Step 4 Gorleston 2 v Norwich City U23 0

Tuesday 10 October. North Riding Senior Cup 2nd Round. Step 2 Scarborough Athletic beat Middlesbrough U21 on Penalties.

Thursday 4 April. Northamptonshire Senior Cup Semi Final. Step 4 Rushden & Diamonds beat Peterborough United U21 on Penalties.

Tuesday 9 January. Northamptonshire Senior Cup Quarter Final. Step 4 Rushden & Diamonds 2 v Northampton Town U21 1.

Thursday 12 October. Nottinghamshire Senior Cup 2nd Round. Step 6 Clipstone 2 v Notts County Reserves 1.

Wednesday 24 January. Oxfordshire Senior Cup Quarter Final. Step 4 Kidlington 3 v Oxford United U21 1.

Tuesday 19 March. Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup Semi Final. Step 4 Leek Town 1 v Stoke City U21 0.

Wednesday 22 November. Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup 1st Round. Step 6 Eccleshall 1 v Port Vale U21 0.

Tuesday 20 February. Suffolk Premier Cup Semi Final. Step 3 Needham Market 4 v Ipswich Town U21 2.

Thursday 18 April. Surrey Senior Cup Semi Final. Step 5 Farnham Town 3 v Sutton United U21 0.

Wednesday 15 November. Sussex Senior Cup 3rd Round. Step 5 Steyning Town 2 v Brighton and Hove Albion U21 1. 

Tuesday 17 October. Sussex Senior Cup 2nd Round. Step 2 Worthing 6 v Crawley Town 2.

Wednesday 31 January. Walsall Senior Cup Quarter Final. Step 5 Lichfield City 3 v Walsall 2.

Did you also know that the Lancashire FA still have an old fashioned County Cup? All the Lancashire FA PL and EFL Clubs enter sides - Liverpool, Everton, the lot. Barrow are due to play Burnley in the final.

Am I making a point? Don't know. But it is clear that many County FA Senior Cups include teams from PL and EFL Clubs. The Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Senior Cup doesn't. 

“Phil. Was there Beer?”

The Beer House S6

548-550 Langsett Rd, Hillsborough, Sheffield S6 2LX

Their Hunters Bar bar is on my route to Bramall Lane, and into Sheffield. I'm a Big Fan. So, it was great to take an opportunity to visit their newer S6 venue.

The L shaped bar front is broken by a pillar. And by stairs down to the basement. The Kegs are on one part of the L. The Casks on another. And to schlep from the Kegs to the Casks, you have to take quite a detour around those stairs.

I quite liked that. As you carefully consider the Kegs. Then intently study the Casks. Having paraded yourself around the bar. It say…

“Hang on. Hang on. Don't rush me. I'm still choosing. This is an important decision for me.”

I quite liked that. I mean, I could have just fucking looked at the board. But that would have been too simple. There were 5 on Keg, and “half a mile away” 4 on Cask.

DEYA Brewing Company (Cheltenham), Glue-Tac, New Zealand Pale Ale on Keg at 4%

Little bit of grass to begin. But it goes tropical quickly. Bursts into flavour. Pineapple in the finish. Merest hint of bitter. Citra, Motueka, Nelson Sauvin

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Gets Me Out The House

Sheffield United Community Foundation U19 6 v Farsley Celtic U19 2 

National Football Youth League, North East Championship 

Wednesday 8 May 2024 

Played at Handsworth 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #69 

NBDR

No Beer Don't Read

The Sheffield United Community Foundation arm of the club is where youngsters (male and female) study for qualifications. While also having a football training schedule and games programme. Some clubs term these the Shadow Youth Teams (SYT).

The National Football Youth League, understandably, make a play on kids who have played in their league, and go on to get professional contracts. Those include Shirecliffe Academy Graduate CJ Hamilton. And former SUFC first teamer John Brayford. Indeed, Marshall Francis who played at Bramall Lane in the week against Sheffield Wednesday U18 played in the NFYL for Reading.

But, realistically, none of those youngsters up at Handsworth today are going to get places in the full on Academy at Shirecliffe. The numbers don't work.

To get personal. The SUFC Community Foundation teams are great for people in “my position”. It's a - get your steps in two an’ half hours walk - from Carrier Bag Firm Towers to Olivers Mount. The weather is getting better. The toilets are open. Other CBF pitch up. So there's Bollocks to be talked. 

“It gets me out the house…”

I've managed six home games this season. And indeed, one away game. On the site where Carling Lager was first brewed in the UK!!!

Time for a round up.

The A team finished 4th (of seven) in the Community and Education Football Alliance League North Central 1.

Other teams have still got games to play in the Community and Education Football Alliance League North East Central 1. But United B are finished. Currently sitting 5th (of seven).

The C team still have two games to play in the Community and Education Football Alliance League North Central 2. Currently sitting 7th (of ten).

The highest level the Community teams play is the game I saw today, in the National Football Youth League North East Championship. We've still got three games to play. But are handily placed in 2nd place behind Middlesbrough. We've got to go there on the last day of the season.

Two nil up at half time today. Became six nil on 80. Before we let Celtic back into it a bit.

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Late Calmess Wins It

Sheffield United U18 1 v Sheffield Wednesday U18 0 

U18 Professional Development League 

Tuesday 7 May 2024 

Played at Bramall Lane 

SUFC 2023/24 Game #68 

NBDR

No Beer Don't Read

An infrequent Bramall Lane run out for the U18s. Ending with a superb 90 +5 winner for Jackson Blaize.

Only one U18 game left this season. Which I won't be able to get to. So that's my U18 season done. As I sometimes point out, this Blog also serves as my diary. So indulge me while I make a quick record of my Under 18 season.

Just six games for me in 2023/24. Three league games at Shirecliffe. One away at Barnsley. That home FA Youth Cup game played at Scunthorpe United FFS. And tonight at The Lane.

Our U18s have been also rans this season. We'll finish just above mid table. Ten or a dozen points ish off the play off places. Results earlier in the week had made it more difficult for the Young Owls to reach the play offs. So, there was added spiciness as a draw or win for us would mean they'd miss the play offs. Which they will.

United started with a Trialist in goal. That was Will Murdock. Still only 16. He's in Manchester United’s system. He's also in the Northern Ireland youth system. He did OK. Although he looked a bit out of position and flappy at times as he came for crosses. 

Okyere in the middle of a three in front of Will. Tahir on the left. With Frankie Jones out wide. Jack Waldron at right wing back. And this continuing experiment with Zach Giggs at right centre back. After they went for the Subs on 80, Zach was shifted to conventional left back in a four.

Marshall Francis and Noah Kiwomya up top. Very fluid in midfield - Aston, Blaize and Christie-Crainie.

Overall, it was a harem scarem hot potato game. Neither team really exerting any control. When not getting rid of it quickly for no reason, United were pedestrian at times. Just before half time in particular, we looked like letting Wednesday get a hold of the game.

We had a great chance on 20. Archie CC burst through and fed Kiwomya perfectly. Noah took it in his stride. If he'd gone down under the pressure, he might have got a Penalty. He stayed up, hit the keeper and couldn't get the rebound sorted.

The Curse of the Youngsters Cramps at Bramall Lane hit on 70. Sam Aston and Jackson Blaize both needing treatment at the same time. While a number of Wednesday players were doing all the stretching the calves stuff.

What with that, and players tiring, the game opened into a bit more chaos. On 78, Jack Hall in the Wednesday nets made two great saves from Blaize and sub Riley McLachlan.

And, Wednesday had a chance to win it on 90. A header back into the mixer. But the Wednesday player missed his horizontal volley thing attempt completely.

Which left us with the calmest head in the gaff on 90 +5. Was that Waldron who won two fifty fifties on the right? Then someone fed Blaize’s perfect run. Three touches to get inside the box. Has a quick think. And beats the keeper low to his left.

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