27-01-2018, 22:35
Sheffield United 1 Preston North End 0
United: Moore, Wright, Stearman, Heneghan (Basham 59), Baldock, Duffy, Lundstram, Fleck, Lafferty, Sharp (Stevens 90), Donaldson (Evans 59).
Subs (not used): O'Connell, Wilson, Carruthers, Eastwood.
PNE: Rudd, Fisher (Woods 68), Clarke, Huntington, Earl, Johnson, Welsh (Hugill 68), Bodin, Browne, Horgan (Barkhuizen 59), Moult.
Subs (not used): Gallagher, Spurr, Robinson, Maxwell.
Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire) Attendance: 15,680 (2,659 PNE)
The magic of the FA Cup missed Bramall Lane by a country distance as North End lost out to a second half penalty scored by Billy Sharp after being brought down by Clarke, Mr Scott who failed to give any penalties at the recent Chelsea game duly pointed to the spot and Billy Whizz did the rest. No idea whether it was a penalty however the free kick that led to the ball being put into the box wasn't but that's the way cookie crumbles. To be fair the Blades were slightly better of two sides who were to be kind average at best.
The first half neither keeper had a shot to save, Browne fired one wide for us and Fisher and Huntington both cleared dangerous balls into the box, Moult look useful for us but when support players are 80 yards away twas a bit of a lost cause, Bodin showed some nice touches and does some grafting but North End were let down by some shocking passing, United kept the ball better and probably looked the more likelier and they started the second half well on top with Duffy being denied by a fine save by Rudd, but as time went on looked the joy of a Tuesday night replay at Deepdale would be on the cards until the penalty.
Had a couple of efforts late Johnson went only just wide, and following great work by Moult, Hugill had a goalbound effort saved by Moore, it was our only effort on target came in the 90th minute. Four minutes of extra time were seen out with no real danger to the home side.
Plus points no points dropped, only cost 15 quid with ticket and several players got some useful game time, Fisher who I thought did well, Woods got some time and Earl got a full game although has to be said he looked really rusty and had a hard afternoon. Huntington managed to play some part of the game with only one boot on and Browne got socked in the mouth and handed a tooth to the physio.
Back on the road on Tuesday need to up our game but personal view just come up short this season as will the Blades.
And yes Imre they do go down easily have not seen the penalty but the boss is less than convinced
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder:
"It wasn't a classic game. We just needed to lift our standards and be a bit more aggressive in the second half and drive the game forward a little more.
"I thought the introduction of Ched (Evans) gave us a little spark, and (Chris) Basham as well.
"We changed the shape at half-time as well just to get a bit more control of the football, which I think it did and we just edged a tight game.
"It was two teams that are very evenly matched, in league position. They made a few changes and we made a few changes, so I think both managers will be delighted that it has been decided on the day."
Preston manager Alex Neil:
"Obviously I'm disappointed, as you don't want to lose any game, but having said that, I don't think there was much in the game at all.
"I think the stats suggest that chances for and chances against are relatively similar.
"I think the disappointing thing is to go out to a contentious penalty. Having watched it back about six times, it's still a wee bit inconclusive for me. I'm not 100 per cent sure it was a penalty."
https://youtu.be/zP5yCTjyEUo
United: Moore, Wright, Stearman, Heneghan (Basham 59), Baldock, Duffy, Lundstram, Fleck, Lafferty, Sharp (Stevens 90), Donaldson (Evans 59).
Subs (not used): O'Connell, Wilson, Carruthers, Eastwood.
PNE: Rudd, Fisher (Woods 68), Clarke, Huntington, Earl, Johnson, Welsh (Hugill 68), Bodin, Browne, Horgan (Barkhuizen 59), Moult.
Subs (not used): Gallagher, Spurr, Robinson, Maxwell.
Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire) Attendance: 15,680 (2,659 PNE)
The magic of the FA Cup missed Bramall Lane by a country distance as North End lost out to a second half penalty scored by Billy Sharp after being brought down by Clarke, Mr Scott who failed to give any penalties at the recent Chelsea game duly pointed to the spot and Billy Whizz did the rest. No idea whether it was a penalty however the free kick that led to the ball being put into the box wasn't but that's the way cookie crumbles. To be fair the Blades were slightly better of two sides who were to be kind average at best.
The first half neither keeper had a shot to save, Browne fired one wide for us and Fisher and Huntington both cleared dangerous balls into the box, Moult look useful for us but when support players are 80 yards away twas a bit of a lost cause, Bodin showed some nice touches and does some grafting but North End were let down by some shocking passing, United kept the ball better and probably looked the more likelier and they started the second half well on top with Duffy being denied by a fine save by Rudd, but as time went on looked the joy of a Tuesday night replay at Deepdale would be on the cards until the penalty.
Had a couple of efforts late Johnson went only just wide, and following great work by Moult, Hugill had a goalbound effort saved by Moore, it was our only effort on target came in the 90th minute. Four minutes of extra time were seen out with no real danger to the home side.
Plus points no points dropped, only cost 15 quid with ticket and several players got some useful game time, Fisher who I thought did well, Woods got some time and Earl got a full game although has to be said he looked really rusty and had a hard afternoon. Huntington managed to play some part of the game with only one boot on and Browne got socked in the mouth and handed a tooth to the physio.
Back on the road on Tuesday need to up our game but personal view just come up short this season as will the Blades.
And yes Imre they do go down easily have not seen the penalty but the boss is less than convinced
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder:
"It wasn't a classic game. We just needed to lift our standards and be a bit more aggressive in the second half and drive the game forward a little more.
"I thought the introduction of Ched (Evans) gave us a little spark, and (Chris) Basham as well.
"We changed the shape at half-time as well just to get a bit more control of the football, which I think it did and we just edged a tight game.
"It was two teams that are very evenly matched, in league position. They made a few changes and we made a few changes, so I think both managers will be delighted that it has been decided on the day."
Preston manager Alex Neil:
"Obviously I'm disappointed, as you don't want to lose any game, but having said that, I don't think there was much in the game at all.
"I think the stats suggest that chances for and chances against are relatively similar.
"I think the disappointing thing is to go out to a contentious penalty. Having watched it back about six times, it's still a wee bit inconclusive for me. I'm not 100 per cent sure it was a penalty."
https://youtu.be/zP5yCTjyEUo
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