Bramall Lane, home of Sheffield United based in the heart of Sheffield city centre. The “Blades” who play in red and white have become my “Sheffield” team since I have moved here and I have been fortunate enough to watch the Blades on numerous occasions but one match I will always remember and that will be the subject of this blog.
18th February 2017, Sheffield United are sat at the top of League 1, their next 2 opponents were the 2nd and 3rd placed teams in League 1. This would be a vital match in the future of these teams, but Scunthorpe United were the visitors this time around with little room for error in the race for the Championship. 4,000 travelling fans from Scunthorpe which can only add to what could be a tense atmosphere.
£25 to watch this top 2 clash, I’ll take that!! Back of the Bramall Lane Kop stand where the most passionate of Blades fans would make themselves known. The Blades fans in fine voice already, 10 minutes before Kick off! Safe to say I was excited much!! The players walked out to a wall of noise! And then the Blades anthem “Greasy Chip Butty” began to ring around the ground.
Kick Off! Sheffield United starting the brighter here, the fast passing and movement causing big problems for the Scunthorpe players. “Shoreham Boys! We are Here!” The Blades fans there on the Shoreham Street Kop! Drowning out any noise the 4,000 Scunthorpe fans were making if any. Around 10 minutes on the clock and Daniel Lafferty had broken free on the left hand side, ball across the middle towards Billy Sharp… Over… closest chance for the Blades so far.
Half way through the first half and Sheffield United’s Mark Duffy drove forward towards the Scunthorpe box, played a 1-2 with Billy Sharp, acres of space for MARK DUFFY… OH! he’s put it wide… What a chance! Sheffield United continued to dominate but couldn’t find the breakthrough in the end, goalless at half time.
Second Half, Sheffield United had dominated the first half with Scunthorpe hardly getting out of their own half, you could only guess what happened next. Scunthorpe’s Stephen Dawson played a low cross past the Blade’s defenders and the unmarked Paddy Madden ran in… and just like that, Scunthorpe had the lead. The Blades had to respond and a minute after the restart, they had the ball just ouside the Scunthorpe box, John Fleck measured a cross and flicked on, Scunthorpe’s David Mirfin tried to clear the ball but he’s missed it… IT’S BILLY SHARP… IT’S 1-1!! Could the Blades continue this momentum though?
51 minutes on the clock and Kieron Freeman had the ball on the right hand side, he played it inside and then a stupid foul by Scunthorpe’s Harry Toffolo saw him given a second yellow and Scunthorpe down to 10 men. What a start to the second half here! It’s a good job I didn’t need the toilet or else I would have missed all that! Just shows how football matches can spring into life at times.
As the second half grew on, Sheffield United piled on the pressure with wave after wave of attacks. 75 minutes on the clock and Scunthorpe had half cleared a Blades corner, whipped back in by Paul Coutts over everyone but not John Fleck who drove it low towards Billy Sharp… SURELY!! He’s missed it from 3 yards… and how? League 1’s top goalscorer with a guilt edge chance to put the Blades ahead. The Blades continued to press, but on 87 minutes Scunthorpe had the ball in midfield, Neal Bishop played a ball over the top towards Sam Mantom, no flag here, he plays the ball inside…… OFF THE POST!! Paddy Madden again! Heart in your mouth moment for the Blades fans there, that should have won it for Scunthorpe.
Into stoppage time now and one final charge for Sheffield United. Kieron Freeman found himself with the ball on the right hand side on the halfway line, he played the ball forward to Caolan Lavery, one touch to Fleck and teed up for the substitute Jay O’Shea, Shot…. HE’S HIT THE POST!!! Oh my word!! So so close to the winner there! And relief for the Scunthorpe keeper as the ball rebounded off the post straight into his grasp.
FT: Sheffield United 1-1 Scunthorpe United
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 9/10 – A fantastic atmosphere to have been a part of, the Kop was bouncing and the match made both sets of fans feel plenty of emotion, very tense at times but at times deafening!
- The Ground: 8/10 – Brilliant ground with plenty of History but a small section of the ground has some mostly restricted view seats unfortunately.
- Expense: 9/10 – A fantastic match filled with drama and atmosphere, £25 for a top 2 League 1 clash is a great price.
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – A fantastic time at the match, a shame that the Blades didn’t win as they definitely deserved to but the match itself filled with atmosphere and a great advert for people who want to get into football. Sheffield United you did not disappoint!
36/40
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