Deadbat
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United managed a safe passage through to Round Four of the FA Cup after a comfortable victory in Kent and revenge for the scoreline from the defeat on opening day back in 2015! The Blades scored two in each half with a brace from youngster Osula matched by a brace from Man City loanee McAtee. United had a few scary moments from set plays/crosses but on the whole were dominant and could have had even more goals to add to the emphatic victory. The home side fought hard but were undone by some poor goalkeeping and defending which meant the goals they conceded were too easy for a Premier League outfit.
The Blades made a number of changes for the trip to the Priestfield Stadium with Seriki, Norrington Davies, Hamer, McAtee and Archer in for Baldock, Bogle, Trusty, Souza and Slimane. United started with an orthodox back four with Norrington Davies alongside Robinson with Brooks and McAtee seemingly starting wider of the midfield four with Archer and Osula up top.
Bogle was out after getting hit with a ball in the face in training and there were no places in the squad for Baldock, Trusty or Ahmedhodzic seemingly due to injuries? Gillingham named an unchanged side from their win at Colchester and would have fancied their chances of causing an upset against the struggling Blades.
The game started with Norwood overplaying a ball but Norrington Davies recovered and the first opportunity came for the Blades as Hamer broke out from midfield. His shot was blocked but it fell for Thomas but his effort was comfortable for Turner. The first real chance came for the home side as the Gills played some good football and Nadesan came inside and seemed set to get an effort on goal but Robinson made a last-ditch block,
The next spell saw United settle down after a scrappy, disjointed start and moved it around well with Brooks and Hamer often showing for the ball. On 13 minutes, the Blades took the lead. Alexander was attacking down the right for the League Two side but lost possession and United quickly broke. The ball was moved down the right and OSULA was able to make find space and after a stepover he fired a low shot that went in via the legs of Turner. The keeper should have done better but for the striker it was his first ever goal for the club!
On 16 minutes, it should have been a second after poor defending saw the home defence and keeper both almost leave it to each other and Hamer nipped in, squared to Archer but his shot hit Osula and was eventually cleared.
United had been in control but Gillingham had the ball in the net after a ball forward dropped for Jeffries who smashed a half volley high into the net but the offside flag had been raised before the excellent finish. Replays showed it was very tight. United were showing that when they went forward they were dangerous though and Brooks carried the ball a long way before exchanging passes with Archer but the youngsters finish was well off target and drifted wide. The Blades were showing their superiority and from a dangerous Hamer free kick, Robinson could not quite apply the final touch.
A rare break though saw the Gills 2 on 2 for a moment before Norrington Davies got across well to make the challenge and not long after this another whipped free kick saw Foderingham make a superb save but again the flag was up so Hawkins effort would have not counted.
Hamer was looking the player most likely to create on the field and his through ball for McAtee was put out by Ogie but soon after it was 2-0. It came again from Hamer pulling the strings and it was transferred across for Seriki and the right back hit a low drive that Turner could only push away and OSULA was there to react first and from a narrow angle he swept home. After waiting for so long for his first United goal; he now had two in a half!
Gillingham looked deflated after this but they did force a legitimate save from Foderingham when from the same source, an in swinging free kick, Hawkins won it again and the Blades keeper has to push away.
Osula then nearly had his hat trick as Archer’s break and deflected shot fell to him but on the stretch he fired over. Two minutes of stoppage time were played out with no further chances and it was a relatively comfortable lead for the Blades – a rarity away from home!
The 2nd half began with Brooks making a couple of early enterprising runs but ran out of space but home side won a few corners and the height of Hawkins continued to cause problems and he had a header down and wide after once again getting the better of Robinson. Hamer cut inside and hit an effort that curled not far wide.
The home team made two changes on the hour as Clarke and Nicholls came on for Nadesan and Alexander. Thomas’ ball found Archer and he came inside and it eventually fell for McAtee but he fired over. McAtee was becoming increasingly involved in the game and another good run led to a corner and from this, Osula flicked back and Archer hit an effort over the bar.
McAtee was proving hard to stop and his surging run took him away from two men and it fell for Archer whose fierce shot was beaten away from Turner.
Gillingham had not really offered much outside of set plays but had an appeal for a handball that clearly hit Thomas in the face. Nicholls was in on goal but used his hand after a flick on from Hawkins threatened to put him clear. United made their first changes as Brewster and Brereton Diaz came on for Archer and Osula with the latter getting a good hand for his two-goal salvo.
The home side then had a really good spell and will have been disappointed not to get a goal back as indecision from Robinson and Norwood saw the ball not cleared and Nicholls shot was deflected wide with many in the ground thinking it had gone the other side. The home side came even closer soon after just after Souza replaced Brooks. A ball was swung in and Ehmer got the jump on the sub-Souza and his flicked header hit the post and bounced across the line and somehow stayed out.
At the other end Brewster was suddenly in but Turner came out and narrowed the angle to make the save with the shot being too close to the goalkeeper. The game was effectively decided in the 82nd minute though. Norwood’s ball should have been cut out but Malone and Ogie left it to each other and MCATEE was able to receive it, beating the offside trap and cleverly clipping in.
Dieng, Lapslie and Bond came on for Hawkins, Mahoney and Jeffries for the Gills and Osborn replaced Norrington Davies as the game was now up as it entered the final 5 minutes. Brewster had done well on a couple of occasions and he had a shot deflected wide after holding off a defender again. From the short corner, the ball was played to MCATEE who came inside and hit a tremendous swerving and viscous shot that arrowed into the far corner giving Turner no chance and putting the cap on a really pleasing afternoon for Chris Wilders men. Lapslie fired over soon after the kick off and then Brereton Diaz was slipped in as United had men over on the break but he chose to shot, rather than pass and Turner made the save. United were still on the attack as only one minute of additional time was played before the final whistle came.
For the Blades it was their first away victory of the season and ensured they were into the hat for the next round on Monday evening.
United – For once we were the team with an easy win and looked a class above an opponent that were well beaten. It was a routine and comfortable win. I felt that we were never really in any danger of not going through and even though they had a few chances and once again we struggled with set plays/crosses, we scored four and could have had a few more. We did what we had to do against a poor side and the gap in quality for once was hugely in our favour. We started with a few sloppy passes but then started to take over and Brooks/Hamer were showing quality in the middle and with the pace of Archer/Osula, you sensed we would get chances. The first was well taken but came from them losing the ball and reminded me of some of the goals we have conceded this season where teams break! Osula took it well and was very much like some of the goals he has scored at u21 level with a step over and drilled finish. The keeper should have done better though. After this they had a few set plays but more poor keeping saw Osula on the spot to get the second and he nearly had another. We looked comfortable in possession and Hamer stood out as the cleverest and most technical player on the pitch.
After the break, we had chances through Hamer, Archer and McAtee to put it away but could not quite get the third despite dominating the ball, they then had a flurry of chances and one deflected wide and then the header off the post was unlucky. After that missed then you felt that was it and so it proved as McAtee gets a third due to bad defending and then scores a beauty. Brewster and Brereton Diaz both had one on ones too and so in the end 0-4 was about right. Maybe they (and the big lad) deserved a consolation for their efforts but United cruised to the win. We did make a fair few changes and the defence was quite unfamiliar and we lacked height again which again could have cost us but we moved it around well and ensure the crowd were not able to get involved. Osula finally gets a few goals and he did well first half and then after Brooks and Hamer had been the stand outs first half, McAtee was superb after the break and scored two and was involved in everything good that we did.
We did what we had to and avoided the upset that some may have seen was a possibility due to our form. We now have two weeks before we play again (over 2 weeks) and we will probably see more coming into the club and some going out (surprised Thomas and Coulibaly played but probably showed how thin we are for numbers with injuries and those at the AFCON too). Pleased for those who travel most weeks to get a victory on the road as it’s been miserable of course for the regulars who keep going away from home.
The Blades made a number of changes for the trip to the Priestfield Stadium with Seriki, Norrington Davies, Hamer, McAtee and Archer in for Baldock, Bogle, Trusty, Souza and Slimane. United started with an orthodox back four with Norrington Davies alongside Robinson with Brooks and McAtee seemingly starting wider of the midfield four with Archer and Osula up top.
Bogle was out after getting hit with a ball in the face in training and there were no places in the squad for Baldock, Trusty or Ahmedhodzic seemingly due to injuries? Gillingham named an unchanged side from their win at Colchester and would have fancied their chances of causing an upset against the struggling Blades.
The game started with Norwood overplaying a ball but Norrington Davies recovered and the first opportunity came for the Blades as Hamer broke out from midfield. His shot was blocked but it fell for Thomas but his effort was comfortable for Turner. The first real chance came for the home side as the Gills played some good football and Nadesan came inside and seemed set to get an effort on goal but Robinson made a last-ditch block,
The next spell saw United settle down after a scrappy, disjointed start and moved it around well with Brooks and Hamer often showing for the ball. On 13 minutes, the Blades took the lead. Alexander was attacking down the right for the League Two side but lost possession and United quickly broke. The ball was moved down the right and OSULA was able to make find space and after a stepover he fired a low shot that went in via the legs of Turner. The keeper should have done better but for the striker it was his first ever goal for the club!
On 16 minutes, it should have been a second after poor defending saw the home defence and keeper both almost leave it to each other and Hamer nipped in, squared to Archer but his shot hit Osula and was eventually cleared.
United had been in control but Gillingham had the ball in the net after a ball forward dropped for Jeffries who smashed a half volley high into the net but the offside flag had been raised before the excellent finish. Replays showed it was very tight. United were showing that when they went forward they were dangerous though and Brooks carried the ball a long way before exchanging passes with Archer but the youngsters finish was well off target and drifted wide. The Blades were showing their superiority and from a dangerous Hamer free kick, Robinson could not quite apply the final touch.
A rare break though saw the Gills 2 on 2 for a moment before Norrington Davies got across well to make the challenge and not long after this another whipped free kick saw Foderingham make a superb save but again the flag was up so Hawkins effort would have not counted.
Hamer was looking the player most likely to create on the field and his through ball for McAtee was put out by Ogie but soon after it was 2-0. It came again from Hamer pulling the strings and it was transferred across for Seriki and the right back hit a low drive that Turner could only push away and OSULA was there to react first and from a narrow angle he swept home. After waiting for so long for his first United goal; he now had two in a half!
Gillingham looked deflated after this but they did force a legitimate save from Foderingham when from the same source, an in swinging free kick, Hawkins won it again and the Blades keeper has to push away.
Osula then nearly had his hat trick as Archer’s break and deflected shot fell to him but on the stretch he fired over. Two minutes of stoppage time were played out with no further chances and it was a relatively comfortable lead for the Blades – a rarity away from home!
The 2nd half began with Brooks making a couple of early enterprising runs but ran out of space but home side won a few corners and the height of Hawkins continued to cause problems and he had a header down and wide after once again getting the better of Robinson. Hamer cut inside and hit an effort that curled not far wide.
The home team made two changes on the hour as Clarke and Nicholls came on for Nadesan and Alexander. Thomas’ ball found Archer and he came inside and it eventually fell for McAtee but he fired over. McAtee was becoming increasingly involved in the game and another good run led to a corner and from this, Osula flicked back and Archer hit an effort over the bar.
McAtee was proving hard to stop and his surging run took him away from two men and it fell for Archer whose fierce shot was beaten away from Turner.
Gillingham had not really offered much outside of set plays but had an appeal for a handball that clearly hit Thomas in the face. Nicholls was in on goal but used his hand after a flick on from Hawkins threatened to put him clear. United made their first changes as Brewster and Brereton Diaz came on for Archer and Osula with the latter getting a good hand for his two-goal salvo.
The home side then had a really good spell and will have been disappointed not to get a goal back as indecision from Robinson and Norwood saw the ball not cleared and Nicholls shot was deflected wide with many in the ground thinking it had gone the other side. The home side came even closer soon after just after Souza replaced Brooks. A ball was swung in and Ehmer got the jump on the sub-Souza and his flicked header hit the post and bounced across the line and somehow stayed out.
At the other end Brewster was suddenly in but Turner came out and narrowed the angle to make the save with the shot being too close to the goalkeeper. The game was effectively decided in the 82nd minute though. Norwood’s ball should have been cut out but Malone and Ogie left it to each other and MCATEE was able to receive it, beating the offside trap and cleverly clipping in.
Dieng, Lapslie and Bond came on for Hawkins, Mahoney and Jeffries for the Gills and Osborn replaced Norrington Davies as the game was now up as it entered the final 5 minutes. Brewster had done well on a couple of occasions and he had a shot deflected wide after holding off a defender again. From the short corner, the ball was played to MCATEE who came inside and hit a tremendous swerving and viscous shot that arrowed into the far corner giving Turner no chance and putting the cap on a really pleasing afternoon for Chris Wilders men. Lapslie fired over soon after the kick off and then Brereton Diaz was slipped in as United had men over on the break but he chose to shot, rather than pass and Turner made the save. United were still on the attack as only one minute of additional time was played before the final whistle came.
For the Blades it was their first away victory of the season and ensured they were into the hat for the next round on Monday evening.
United – For once we were the team with an easy win and looked a class above an opponent that were well beaten. It was a routine and comfortable win. I felt that we were never really in any danger of not going through and even though they had a few chances and once again we struggled with set plays/crosses, we scored four and could have had a few more. We did what we had to do against a poor side and the gap in quality for once was hugely in our favour. We started with a few sloppy passes but then started to take over and Brooks/Hamer were showing quality in the middle and with the pace of Archer/Osula, you sensed we would get chances. The first was well taken but came from them losing the ball and reminded me of some of the goals we have conceded this season where teams break! Osula took it well and was very much like some of the goals he has scored at u21 level with a step over and drilled finish. The keeper should have done better though. After this they had a few set plays but more poor keeping saw Osula on the spot to get the second and he nearly had another. We looked comfortable in possession and Hamer stood out as the cleverest and most technical player on the pitch.
After the break, we had chances through Hamer, Archer and McAtee to put it away but could not quite get the third despite dominating the ball, they then had a flurry of chances and one deflected wide and then the header off the post was unlucky. After that missed then you felt that was it and so it proved as McAtee gets a third due to bad defending and then scores a beauty. Brewster and Brereton Diaz both had one on ones too and so in the end 0-4 was about right. Maybe they (and the big lad) deserved a consolation for their efforts but United cruised to the win. We did make a fair few changes and the defence was quite unfamiliar and we lacked height again which again could have cost us but we moved it around well and ensure the crowd were not able to get involved. Osula finally gets a few goals and he did well first half and then after Brooks and Hamer had been the stand outs first half, McAtee was superb after the break and scored two and was involved in everything good that we did.
We did what we had to and avoided the upset that some may have seen was a possibility due to our form. We now have two weeks before we play again (over 2 weeks) and we will probably see more coming into the club and some going out (surprised Thomas and Coulibaly played but probably showed how thin we are for numbers with injuries and those at the AFCON too). Pleased for those who travel most weeks to get a victory on the road as it’s been miserable of course for the regulars who keep going away from home.
