Deadbat
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The Blades’ tremendous FA Cup run continued as they saw off Championship side Charlton to book a place at Wembley against Hull City in the semi finals. United made it 9 wins on the bounce as second half goals from Ryan Flynn and John Brayford ensured the incredible run continued. After a cagey first half with few chances, Charlton had the best chance of the game but Callum Harriott poked wide with the goal at his mercy and after this United regrouped and scored two quick fire goals. After this they could have added more and ran out relatively comfortable winners in the end.
With barely an empty seat in the ground; United made several changes from the side that beat Peterborough in the week as back in came Harris, Maguire, Murphy, Flynn, Baxter, Scougall and also more surprisingly Brayford who was deemed fit enough to play after his recent calf injury. United also featured a strong bench with cup hero Porter joined by the fit McGinn, newcomer Freeman and also Miller, Davies, Hill and Long.
Charlton fielded former Owls Richard Wood and Marcus Tudgay. Centre back Michael Morrison was declared fit to take his place in the centre of the defence as Charlton began with Wednesday slayer Simon Church up top.
The game began amidst a back drop of balmy sunshine as two giant flags moved around the ground. The kick off saw a lusty rendition of the Greasy Chip Butty song as the Blades were turned round by the Addicks and made to kick towards the Kop.
The game began with little goal mouth action early on although United won a corner that Collins headed over. Flynn was booked for a pull back after United had overplayed down the right a
Church had a weak shot easily saved and then Harriott also had a deflected effort grasped by Howard. For Charlton Poyet was often getting on the ball as Charlton saw a lot of the ball but were not having much of it in the vital last third. For United Baxter was struggling to get involved as United played too many high balls. However he had a good chance as he fired over as Murphy was finally got into the game and provided the opportunity.
Neither keeper had been properly tested but Howard had to palm away a Tudgay shot and then hold the cross that came in. Jackson was then cautioned for a very rash tackle on Flynn as some in the crowd called for a red.
United had struggled to create clear chances but after a scramble they had one. Brayford was involved but as the ball fell to Coady who fired in at the near post it was adjudged to have been offside as many in the ground thought United had scored.
Right on the break Harris moved forward and had a great dipping shot that just went over before the final whistle came after Charlton had won a corner that came to nothing.
The second half saw no chances despite Baxter limping in the lead up the break but the visitors came out the stronger. However despite them having much of the ball, Scougall fired over and then Maguire turned and prodded just wide after the Scougall’s shot fell to him.
The game was opening up and Jackson’s set play nearly led to a chance but Collins did well to clear but soon after they had a great chance. Coady then was nearly in from a through ball from Baxter but the best chance of the game came for the visitors soon after.
Harris was harshly penalised as he tried to get at a ball that seemed to have been trapped by the Charlton winger and from the quick set play that Jackson took it nearly led to disaster for the home side. Tudgay lobbed it into the box and over Howard as he came out and Harriott seemed for all the world like he would score but poked just past the post as most of the crowd held their breath. It was a real let off and the United Kop tried to inject some life by upping the volume to try and help the side.
Baxter received the ball deep by the touchline some 35 yards from goal but hit a stunning whipped cross which bounced in and behind the Charlton backline. FLYNN beat the offside trap and managed to control a half volley on the stretch which looped in and over Hamer to signal a huge eruption from 3 sides of the Lane. It was a difficult finish and Flynn did well to apply the final touch to a great ball.
Charlton brought off the poor Church for Ajdarevic but it was 2-0 only a minute after the first. United were instantly back on the attack and Murphy was away skipping past Morrison who tried to bring him down but he kept going and then slid the ball across the box. BRAYFORD moved onto the ball and hit a speculative long range shot which clipped the heel of a defender and completely wrong footed Hamer before nestling into the goal. Brayford ran to the corner to celebrate leaping for joy as the crowd could not belief it. After many years of ill fortune and similarly bad luck in so many games; it was United’s turn to have the ‘run of the ball’ for once.
Ghoochanneijhad and Green came on for Wilson and Poyet as Charlton tried to salvage something but were now really on the back foot as United poured forward.
United were flying and soon after Flynn was away and played in Brayford who pulled back and it seemed like Baxter would make it three but his shot was blocked. Murphy was now having a great spell and giving Charlton the run around. He got away from Morrison again leaving him on the deck before having his shot blocked. Flynn then fired over as United threatened to run riot. Flynn fed Scougall whose shot hit the post after a deflection but Coady was adjudged offside as he put in the rebound from close range.
Charlton had offered little in response and the game was nearly being played exclusively in their half as further gaps opened up.
Davies came on for Baxter who had just been booked for a wild tackle and soon after. Porter replaced the tiring Scougall and was nearly in but ran offside. United had looked in control and the visitors were offering little as chants of ‘Wembley! Wembley!’ rang around the ground.
The game saw an additional four minutes of stoppage time to be played as the crowd gave a final surge of noise to see them over the finishing line.
McGinn came on right at the death for Flynn as Charlton tried to salvage something. From a long throw the ball dropped to Reza but Howard made a superb save to tip over. Soon after the whistle went and United’s player and fans celebrated alike as the amazing run went on and the Blades were at Wembley!
United – Well, well, well. We did it again. After a low key first half where both teams were a little a little cautious, we perhaps were guilty of being too cautious and slow in possession. They had worked out often our best chance is breaking and picking them off and then attacking so made sure they got plenty of men behind the ball. It meant we moved it about side to side and were a little pedestrian and had few chances (Baxter one effort aside). They did not do much with it but maybe had it a bit more and also a bit higher up the pitch. Very little happened first half and the game was struggling to get going. We had done ok but nothing spectacular and looked devoid of a goal threat with too many high balls to Baxter and not enough balls going wide. Charlton did little with it the other way but seemed a little more controlled than us.
Second half we actually did not start well and they missed a good chance and had a few other chances too. We seemed like we were struggling to show the same pace and movement when we attacked as they kept a solid shape. However after they missed we started to move up the field as the crowd got behind the players and Murphy started to go at men. Flynn also got on the ball more and both full backs came further up field. Baxter put in a great cross for the goal that Flynn did remarkably well to finish. After this the confidence soared and players wanted to get on the ball and we became a different side. We got the second and suddenly it was all us and we could have had more goals. We moved it around, the quick/impish players started to get involved and they suddenly looked slow and cumbersome.
They started to bring us down and get frustrated and we looked the far better side. We ended up running out fairly comfortable winners and whilst it is always nervous when you are on the verge of Wembley, Charlton in truth were just lumping it forward and only had one real chance.
Now I do believe the playoffs are still a long shot but we need to keep thinking about them as if we just settle for mid table and rotate players we won’t be ready and sharp for the semi which is still a month away. We need to rest a few in the next week but mostly play the same nucleus. Of course we may still have a glimmer of the playoffs but the reality is Peterborough win Tuesday and it is 14 points and almost impossible. More important is we keep the good, solid performances going and keep the momentum going. 10 in a row Tuesday would be some achievement.
I do have to say what a tremendous run and turn around this season has been. After the wretched start to make the semi finals of the FA Cup and be mid table and pushing upwards is remarkable really.
Today it was great to see the Lane full and eventually very noisy after an anxious and quiet-ish first half the noise upped and it was superb to see the Lane jumping at full time as the players celebrated. We definitely need more days/nights like this and the potential for the new owners/directors is for all to see.
With barely an empty seat in the ground; United made several changes from the side that beat Peterborough in the week as back in came Harris, Maguire, Murphy, Flynn, Baxter, Scougall and also more surprisingly Brayford who was deemed fit enough to play after his recent calf injury. United also featured a strong bench with cup hero Porter joined by the fit McGinn, newcomer Freeman and also Miller, Davies, Hill and Long.
Charlton fielded former Owls Richard Wood and Marcus Tudgay. Centre back Michael Morrison was declared fit to take his place in the centre of the defence as Charlton began with Wednesday slayer Simon Church up top.
The game began amidst a back drop of balmy sunshine as two giant flags moved around the ground. The kick off saw a lusty rendition of the Greasy Chip Butty song as the Blades were turned round by the Addicks and made to kick towards the Kop.
The game began with little goal mouth action early on although United won a corner that Collins headed over. Flynn was booked for a pull back after United had overplayed down the right a
Church had a weak shot easily saved and then Harriott also had a deflected effort grasped by Howard. For Charlton Poyet was often getting on the ball as Charlton saw a lot of the ball but were not having much of it in the vital last third. For United Baxter was struggling to get involved as United played too many high balls. However he had a good chance as he fired over as Murphy was finally got into the game and provided the opportunity.
Neither keeper had been properly tested but Howard had to palm away a Tudgay shot and then hold the cross that came in. Jackson was then cautioned for a very rash tackle on Flynn as some in the crowd called for a red.
United had struggled to create clear chances but after a scramble they had one. Brayford was involved but as the ball fell to Coady who fired in at the near post it was adjudged to have been offside as many in the ground thought United had scored.
Right on the break Harris moved forward and had a great dipping shot that just went over before the final whistle came after Charlton had won a corner that came to nothing.
The second half saw no chances despite Baxter limping in the lead up the break but the visitors came out the stronger. However despite them having much of the ball, Scougall fired over and then Maguire turned and prodded just wide after the Scougall’s shot fell to him.
The game was opening up and Jackson’s set play nearly led to a chance but Collins did well to clear but soon after they had a great chance. Coady then was nearly in from a through ball from Baxter but the best chance of the game came for the visitors soon after.
Harris was harshly penalised as he tried to get at a ball that seemed to have been trapped by the Charlton winger and from the quick set play that Jackson took it nearly led to disaster for the home side. Tudgay lobbed it into the box and over Howard as he came out and Harriott seemed for all the world like he would score but poked just past the post as most of the crowd held their breath. It was a real let off and the United Kop tried to inject some life by upping the volume to try and help the side.
Baxter received the ball deep by the touchline some 35 yards from goal but hit a stunning whipped cross which bounced in and behind the Charlton backline. FLYNN beat the offside trap and managed to control a half volley on the stretch which looped in and over Hamer to signal a huge eruption from 3 sides of the Lane. It was a difficult finish and Flynn did well to apply the final touch to a great ball.
Charlton brought off the poor Church for Ajdarevic but it was 2-0 only a minute after the first. United were instantly back on the attack and Murphy was away skipping past Morrison who tried to bring him down but he kept going and then slid the ball across the box. BRAYFORD moved onto the ball and hit a speculative long range shot which clipped the heel of a defender and completely wrong footed Hamer before nestling into the goal. Brayford ran to the corner to celebrate leaping for joy as the crowd could not belief it. After many years of ill fortune and similarly bad luck in so many games; it was United’s turn to have the ‘run of the ball’ for once.
Ghoochanneijhad and Green came on for Wilson and Poyet as Charlton tried to salvage something but were now really on the back foot as United poured forward.
United were flying and soon after Flynn was away and played in Brayford who pulled back and it seemed like Baxter would make it three but his shot was blocked. Murphy was now having a great spell and giving Charlton the run around. He got away from Morrison again leaving him on the deck before having his shot blocked. Flynn then fired over as United threatened to run riot. Flynn fed Scougall whose shot hit the post after a deflection but Coady was adjudged offside as he put in the rebound from close range.
Charlton had offered little in response and the game was nearly being played exclusively in their half as further gaps opened up.
Davies came on for Baxter who had just been booked for a wild tackle and soon after. Porter replaced the tiring Scougall and was nearly in but ran offside. United had looked in control and the visitors were offering little as chants of ‘Wembley! Wembley!’ rang around the ground.
The game saw an additional four minutes of stoppage time to be played as the crowd gave a final surge of noise to see them over the finishing line.
McGinn came on right at the death for Flynn as Charlton tried to salvage something. From a long throw the ball dropped to Reza but Howard made a superb save to tip over. Soon after the whistle went and United’s player and fans celebrated alike as the amazing run went on and the Blades were at Wembley!
United – Well, well, well. We did it again. After a low key first half where both teams were a little a little cautious, we perhaps were guilty of being too cautious and slow in possession. They had worked out often our best chance is breaking and picking them off and then attacking so made sure they got plenty of men behind the ball. It meant we moved it about side to side and were a little pedestrian and had few chances (Baxter one effort aside). They did not do much with it but maybe had it a bit more and also a bit higher up the pitch. Very little happened first half and the game was struggling to get going. We had done ok but nothing spectacular and looked devoid of a goal threat with too many high balls to Baxter and not enough balls going wide. Charlton did little with it the other way but seemed a little more controlled than us.
Second half we actually did not start well and they missed a good chance and had a few other chances too. We seemed like we were struggling to show the same pace and movement when we attacked as they kept a solid shape. However after they missed we started to move up the field as the crowd got behind the players and Murphy started to go at men. Flynn also got on the ball more and both full backs came further up field. Baxter put in a great cross for the goal that Flynn did remarkably well to finish. After this the confidence soared and players wanted to get on the ball and we became a different side. We got the second and suddenly it was all us and we could have had more goals. We moved it around, the quick/impish players started to get involved and they suddenly looked slow and cumbersome.
They started to bring us down and get frustrated and we looked the far better side. We ended up running out fairly comfortable winners and whilst it is always nervous when you are on the verge of Wembley, Charlton in truth were just lumping it forward and only had one real chance.
Now I do believe the playoffs are still a long shot but we need to keep thinking about them as if we just settle for mid table and rotate players we won’t be ready and sharp for the semi which is still a month away. We need to rest a few in the next week but mostly play the same nucleus. Of course we may still have a glimmer of the playoffs but the reality is Peterborough win Tuesday and it is 14 points and almost impossible. More important is we keep the good, solid performances going and keep the momentum going. 10 in a row Tuesday would be some achievement.
I do have to say what a tremendous run and turn around this season has been. After the wretched start to make the semi finals of the FA Cup and be mid table and pushing upwards is remarkable really.
Today it was great to see the Lane full and eventually very noisy after an anxious and quiet-ish first half the noise upped and it was superb to see the Lane jumping at full time as the players celebrated. We definitely need more days/nights like this and the potential for the new owners/directors is for all to see.
