2007-2008 review - April/May

Last updated : 03 June 2008 By Jamie Furniss

An unbeaten April started off with a 3:0 victory over Leicester City at the Lane. A superb hat-trick from James Beattie in the space of 8 minutes ensured United the three points over the relegation feared Foxes. A penalty, free-kick and a header were the triplets of goals from the frontman. He was the first Blades player to do the hat-trick since Paul Peschisolido in 2004 over Gillingaham.

The eagerly awaited Steel City Derby part 2 arrived in a special game for one man. Derek Dooley who died in March was a great asset to both Sheffield clubs so before the game their were red and white cards held up by supporters reading out his name. A one minutes silence was also held.

United fans wern't happy after poor defending lead to Wednesday opening the scoreline. The games first goal came from Adam Bolder as he scored his close range header in front of the Blades Kop.

The Owls went two goals up when Adam Bolder got his and Wednesday's second of the game on 56 minutes. Those goals though were cancelled out by an incredible comeback by the Blades. Owls defender Richard Wood scored an own goal in front of the Blades faithful which set Bramall Lane back to life.

Then the impossible was completed with a grand finale of a finish. James Beattie whipped his free-kick on 85 minutes over the wall and into the top corner pass Grant to score one of the most important goals in his career. The Lane was buzzing because the game looked to have been a double for Wednesday for the first time in 94 years over United.

Unforunately for them, it wasn't to be.

A wet and windy trip to Burnley was next on the agenda. James Beattie did the incredible once again. This time further out and with more venom, he belted his free-kick into the top corner from 35 yards out to put the Blades in front. Billy Sharp doubled United's lead in the second half. Andy Cole got the consolation goal for the Clarets in a 2:1 victory to the Blades.

Play-off dreams were beginning to become more realistic when yet another win was recorded. This time against the eventually play-off final contenders Hull City and Bristol City. A 2:0 win over the Tigers and a 2:1 win over the Robins ensured United went into the final game of the season with something to play for. A couple of months back this looked like relegation but with the appointment of Blackwell and the upturn from the players, it was the play-offs the Blades were competing for.

A long journey to Southampton was last on the fixture list. Goals from Stephen Quinn and Jon Stead wern't enough as Stern John's brace and Saganowski's goals were enough to see United's play-off dream over but Southampton's survival in the Championship was confirmed.

The only consolation the Blades can take out of that game is that we were in the play-offs for at least 20 minutes of the game.

So after a topsy turvy season, we end our 2007-2008 season reviews their. Let's just hope we are rewarded next season with promotion to the Premiership with Blackwell's Blades.

For the whole of the month season reviews, click here.