Any domestic league involvement was set aside in the first week in November owing to the First Round of the FA Cup. The early rounds of this competition can majority be considered 'boring' as top tier clubs do not enter until the Third Round but the early two stages gives the clubs from Non-League football. United were handed a home tie against such opposition Worcester City whom they hadn't met in any professional capacity since 1959. Baxter (penalty), Sammon and Freeman all scored to comfortably win the game by three goals to nil and are duly handed another home tie in the Second Round, this time fellow League One side Oldham Athletic.
Four days later United would be dumped out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, losing a Fleetwood Town in a penalty shoot-out after the game finished goalless at the sound of the final whistle. Craig Alcock leaves Bramall Lane, he joined Doncaster Rovers initially on loan but his contract would be terminated later in January and allowing the former Peterborough defender to sign a permanent deal with Rovers.
As we edged towards the middle of the month Southend United became our first league opponents of the month. It was their first visit to the Lane since 1997 and looked set to walk away with a victory, lacklustre marking had allowed the Shrimpers to jump into a two goal lead, something which was becoming the norm in recent games but goals from Baxter and Collins levelled the scores before half-time and despite tallying a number of second half shots was unable to add to the days tally.
In the week wghich followed the draw, Kerian Wallace signs a new deal, keeping him with SUFC until 2018, Terry Kennedy joins Cambridge United until 3rd January.
Sheffield United 3-0 Worcester City
Saturday, 7th November 2015 - FA Cup Round 1
Goals from Jose Baxter, Conor Sammon and Kieron Freeman gave Sheffield United a 3-0 victory over non-league Worcester City in the first round of the FA Cup. United keeper George Long was forced to make a sixth-minute save, tipping Connor Gater's 20-yard effort over. Baxter scored from the penalty spot in the 19th minute to put the hosts in front after Che Adams was fouled by Sam Minihan following his burst into the area.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce went close to extending United's lead soon after when his shot came back off the bar. The home side continued to dominate with Adams and Campbell-Ryce both going close and Sammon heading wide before the break. Worcester's Deon Burton tried a long-range shot which was comfortably saved by Long.
Freeman had a shot parried by Nathan Vaughan at his near post. Baxter then shot wide after looking certain to score and a Bob Harris free-kick struck the bar. Sammon made it 2-0 after 81 minutes, tapping in from close range after meeting a low cross from Campbell-Ryce. Freeman bundled the ball into the net to complete the scoring in stoppage time.
Fleetwood Town 0-0 Sheffield United (lost 4-1 on penalties)
Tuesday, 10th November 2015 - JPT Northern Area Quarter-Final
Fleetwood Town advanced to the Northern Area Semi-Finals of the Football League Trophy after beating Sheffield United in a penalty shoot-out. The game had ended goalless within the 90 minutes and with no extra-time the game went straight to a penalty shoot-out.
United netted early in the previous fixture at Bramall Lane and almost repeated themselves but keeper Chris Maxwell kept out Martyn Woolford in the fourth minute. Tyler Forbes and Declan McManus were both denied by George Long at the other end as the hosts begun to find their feet. United remained a threat and would have gone in at the break a goal up had Nathan Pond not kept out Done, making a vital block.
The second half saw both sides go for it. Scougall saw his rasp 18 yard effort pushed round the post and Long denied Bobby Grant. It was Fleetwood who almost stole a winner when substitute Ashley Hunter's shot bounced back off the underside of the crossbar.
And so to penalties it went, Grant, Ball and Baxter all scored whilst Sharp failed with his attempt and giving Town the advantage. Jimmy Ryan made it 3-1 and Maxwell saved McEveley's shot, leaving Nick Haughton to fire home the winning spot kick.
Sheffield United 2-2 Southend United
Saturday, 14th November 2015 - League One
Sheffield United had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to a resilient Southend United. A first-half flurry from Ryan Leonard and Jack Payne gave Southend the lead, before Jose Baxter's second goal in three league games and Neill Collins' prodded effort drew the Blades level. Southend took the lead in spectacular style in the 29th minute. David Worrall's corner deflected to Leonard, who fired into the top-right of the goal from 35 yards.
Southend doubled their lead three minutes later through Payne, with the midfielder striking home from the edge of the box, before Baxter pulled one back for the Blades shortly after (32). United pulled level on the stroke of half time, with Collins on hand to poke home inside the area from Baxter's cross (46). United pushed for a winner in the second-half, with Billy Sharp squandering a one-on-one after being played through by Che Adams inside the area. Baxter, Chris Basham and Adams all glanced the post late on, however the Shrimpers held on to pick up a point.