Owing to results in the previous matches, a win tonight for neither Grimsby nor the Blades can result in qualification to the second round, whilst group leaders Walsall will slug it out with Leicester City for top spot.
Group H Table
|
Pos |
Lge |
Team |
Pld |
W |
PW |
PL |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
L1 |
Walsall |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
+4 |
6 |
|
2 |
ACA |
Leicester City U23 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
5 |
|
3 |
L1 |
Sheffield United |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
-1 |
1 |
|
4 |
L2 |
Grimsby Town |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
-4 |
0 |
United are unbeaten in 11 league matches but last weekend's FA Cup halted any opportunity to extend this fine run. Not that United allowed them to dent their spirits when they face struggling League Two opposition Leyton Orient, scoring three goals in each half to cement a 6-0 positive result. Harry Chapman was the star of the show. The half-time substitute helped himself to three goals and became the first United player to net a hat-trick since Ched Evans. Their reward, an away trip to Bolton, who beat Grimsby 1-0 at the Macron Stadium.
Harry Chapman scored a hat-trick as Sheffield United thrashed Leyton Orient 6-0 to ease into the second round of the FA Cup. Chris Basham, Stefan Scougall and Kieran Freeman also found the net for Chris Wilder's men. The visitors had an early opening when Ollie Palmer forced his way through in the area and forced Aaron Ramsdale to make a save.
United then took control and Basham scored with a close-range header in the 22nd minute after John Fleck darted into the area and delivered a pinpoint cross. Midfielder Scougall increased United's lead 17 minutes later after Mark Duffy's free-kick caused problems for the opposition defence.
Freeman added a third goal with a diving header from Chapman's cross in the final minute of the half. Chapman slipped the ball past Alex Cisak to score following a good run into the area nine minutes after the restart and then found the net again 15 minutes later after meeting a David Brooks cross. Chapman completed his treble in stoppage time, chipping over Cisak following a defensive error.
Blades boss Chris Wilder will be keen to tinker with his side and give his more lesser known players a chance to shine. keeper George Long is expected to deputise, allowing Aaron Ramsdale and regular Simon Moore to rest.
Striker Matt Done remains sidelined for the foreseeable future due to a broken jaw. Done sustained the injury in the recent draw at Bradford and has missed last two fixtures against MK Dons (2-1) and the Orient. Coalan Lavery is expected to start in place of a rested Billy Sharp. Ben Whiteman and David Brooks may also feature. On loan
Wolves defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell is back in contention after his parent club refused him permission to play in the FA Cup.
Manager less Grimsby, who are led by caretaker manager Dave Moore. Former Blades Ben Davies and striker Ashley Chambers are both short of match fitness but may use this game as a test prior to the weekend's fixtures
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