Neil Warnock sent a strong squad which didn't include injured Chris Armstrong, Jack Lester Nick Montgomery and Steve Kabba. He did however field three tralists in Micah Hyde, Noel Whelan and former Milton Keynes Dons Winger Michael Gordon.
United where undoubtedly the better quality side but without making excuses lack of match fitness contributed to a poor performance.
The Blades forced the first goal after 23 minutes, Michael Tonge's corner failed to be cleared and new signing Andy Liddell's deflected shot beat keeper Armstrong. The visitors could and should have took control of the game from here but failed to do so and allowed Matlock to get back into the game six minutes before the break.
The red n white defence looked stunned as Brown's free-kick from his own half found Danny Holland who lobbed Paddy Kenny from just outside the box.
At the other end new striker Barry Hayles powerful shot forced Armstrong into a brilliant save before Holland was denied with a similar shot.
HALF-TIME: MATLOCK TOWN 1-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED
The game took light six minutes after the break when four goals went in, Rocky White won the ball and fed Holland through to put the home side ahead before he completed his hat-trick two minutes later to beat Kenny from edge of the box.
The Cutlers soon hit back when Captain Chris Morgan headed home a Tonge corner and on 51 minutes Morgan did same again to draw level at 3-3.
It seemed as though a youthful Blades squad would go onto win but they were wrong, Matlock didn't give in and were eventually rewarded for their efforts.
Phil Jagielka almost put us ahead with a superb over head kick from a Tonge corner, our best chance though came eight minutes from time. Young hopeful Jonathan Forte found tralist Noel Whelan unmarked but Armstrong pulled off a great save from his low header.
However, with two minutes remaining Town struck the winner; Simon Barraclough rounded Morgan and his shot forced kenny to thumble at which point White bundled the ball home.
MATLOCK TOWN 4-3 SHEFFIELD UNITED
Matlock Town: Armstrong, Circuit, Hopkins, Clarke, Bostock, Lukic, Sisson, Brown, Barraclough, Holland, Bowler. SUBS: James, White, S Taylor, Williams, Handbury, Morton, O'Hare (unused). Sheffield United: Kenny, Francis, Wright, Tonge (Shaw 77), Morgan, Jagielka (Roberston 84), Liddell (Gordon 77), Quinn (Harper 65), Hayles (Whelan 54), Gray (Sharp 65), Hyde (Forte H-T). SUBS: Barnes (unused). Attendence: 1,750 |
The Blades next travel to Weymouth on 16 July 2004 with a 7:45pm kick-off.