In contrast Burton Albion is a relatively new club, formed in 1950 and didn’t enter the Football League until more recently when they were Conference Champions in 2009. United and the Albion have yet to meet competitively in the Football League pyramid system, however they have met twice within the professional competitions.
During Danny Wilson’s first season in charge (after the Blades had been relegated to League One), the Blades were drawn to face Burton at their Pirelli Stadium in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in late August 2011 in the first round.
They were almost immediately knocked-out at the first attempt in this competition when Justin Richards (73 minutes) scored for the hosts, but United hit back and three minutes later midfielder David McAllister was wheeling away in celebration and substitute Erik Tonne (80) netted to end a frantic seven minutes of scoring. The Blades marched on with a 2-1 win and went onto dispatch Rotherham United (also 2-1) at Don Valley before being knocked-out by Bradford City on penalties at the Lane.
The League Cup drew the pair together again in August 2012 on the opening day of the season in the first round. This time United were drawn at Bramall Lane and a bumper 7,073 crowd owing the clubs open day saw the Blades eliminated early on but didn’t go out without a fight. Albion took the lead through Adi Yussuf (34) whilst the hosts were back within the game when Nick Blackman (51) scored a debut goal.
Neither side could force a winner and the game was taken into extra-time where the Brewers again re-took the lead, Cleveland Taylor (97) finding the net but again the Blades hit back, defender Neill Collins (105) netted a rebound after seeing his initial penalty saved but this came after Marcus Holness (101) was dismissed for his second bookable offence for the visitors.
In the shoot-out Collins made up for his early error, with no chance of scoring from a re-bound he dispatched coolly, as did Stephen Quinn, Kevin McDonald and Tony McMahon but Harry Maguire missed his opportunity and with Albion netting all five of their spot kicks were through to round two. Burton went onto beat Leicester City (4-2) before being defeated by fellow League Two outfit Bradford City (2-3).
In contrast, this will be the fourth time in as many years that the pair have locked horns after they played out a friendly in Burton in July 2010...
20 July 2010 – Burton Albion 1 Sheffield United 0
Sheffield United lost their pre-season friendly at Burton Albion, who are managed by former Blades striker Paul Peschisolido; the Brewers won by a single goal by Greg Pearson after a mix-up in the defence. They were however made to work for their win and fought off much endured pressure in the second half but United failed to capitalise on their chances.
Former Birmingham City defender Gregory Vignal was again given an opportunity to shine whilst on trial, he was given a starting role alongside new signings Robert Kozluk and Johnny Ertl in what looked a strong defensive back four.
The hosts took the lead through ‘kamikaze’ defending when skipper Chris Morgan and fellow centre-half Ertl were caught out by a Jimmy Philips cross and from all of six yards Greg Pearson fired home past Estonian national Mihkel Aksalu.
After the half-time interval the Blades raised the stakes, but they didn’t bank on substitute keeper Kevin Poole pulling out all the stops at the ripe age of 47. Assistant manager Gary Speed said: "We thought we were the better team in the second half but Pooley at 47 was in good form and we just couldn't get it back."
|
At Sheff. Utd. (1) |
At Burton Albion (1) |
|||||
|
Results |
Total |
% |
Results |
Total |
% |
|
|
Sheff. Utd. |
0 |
0.00 |
Burton Albion |
0 |
0.00 |
|
|
Burton Albion |
0 |
0.00 |
Sheff. Utd. |
1 |
100.00 |
|
|
Draws |
1 |
100.00 |
Draws |
0 |
0.00 |
|
|
Goals |
Total |
Av.pg |
Goals |
Total |
Av.pg |
|
|
Sheff. Utd. |
2 |
2.00 |
Burton Albion |
1 |
1.00 |
|
|
Burton Albion |
2 |
2.00 |
Sheff. Utd. |
2 |
2.00 |
|
|
On Neutral Ground (0) |
Overall (2 matches) |
|||||
|
Results |
Total |
% |
Results |
Total |
% |
|
|
Sheff. Utd. |
0 |
0.00 |
Sheff. Utd. |
1 |
50.00 |
|
|
Burton Albion |
0 |
0.00 |
Burton Albion |
0 |
0.00 |
|
|
Draws |
0 |
0.00 |
Draws |
1 |
50.00 |
|
|
Goals |
Total |
Av.pg |
Goals |
Total |
Av.pg |
|
|
Sheff. Utd. |
0 |
0.00 |
Sheff. Utd. |
4 |
2.00 |
|
|
Burton Albion |
0 |
0.00 |
Burton Albion |
3 |
1.50 |
|
|
Records |
|||||
|
Highest Aggregate |
4 |
Sheff. Utd. |
2 - 2 |
Burton Albion |
2012/2013 |
|
Highest Sheff. Utd. score: |
2 |
Burton Albion |
1 - 2 |
Sheff. Utd. |
2011/2012 |
|
Highest Burton Albion score: |
2 |
Sheff. Utd. |
2 - 2 |
Burton Albion |
2012/2013 |
|
Season |
Date |
Home |
Score |
Away |
|
|
2012/2013 |
Sat 11 Aug |
Sheff. Utd. |
2 - 2 |
Burton Albion |
League Cup |
|
after extra time, 90 minutes 1-1, Burton Albion won 5-4 on penalties |
|||||
|
2011/2012 |
Tue 30 Aug |
Burton Albion |
1 - 2 |
Sheff. Utd. |
(Associate Members) |