There have been too few meetings in the past, 16 in total with out first coming only in the 1983/84 season when the League Cup brought us together. Shrewsbury were victorious over the two-legged tie - winning 2-1 at their former Gay Meadow stadium before drawing 2-2 in the return fixture at Bramall Lane.
In the four seasons which were to follow the Blades and the Shrews would come face to face on a regular basis before, in 1988 United were relegated into Division Three. It wsa during the eight fixtures that bestowed the two teams during those four seasons that the Blades failed to claim a victory over their opponents - the closest coming in an epic 3-3 draw.
United bounced back under the leadership of Dave Bassett, winning promotion along with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the first attempt - but tit was a case of ships passing in the night with Town relegated. The Blades had to wait until August 1999; sixteen years after our debut meeting. This was in the League Cup, the Blades were managed by Adrian Heath in his very short tenure at the Lane and in the second tier of English football whilst the Shrews were in the bottom tier.
The Blades won both legs by three goals to nil, winning the tie 6-0 on aggregate both being eliminated 3-2 (on aggregate) by Preston North End in round two. In recent years the pair have met for the last two seasons, below are the match reports from those games...
20 September 2005 - Shrewsbury Town 0 Sheffield United 0
Shrewsbury Town took Championship pace-setters Sheffield United to the wire in an enthralling Gay Meadow Carling Cup encounter. But after 90 minutes and extra time failed to bring a goal, the Bramall Lane men finally won through 4-3 penalties. The decisive penalty miss from Shrewsbury's point of view came from teenage goalkeeper Joe Hart whose spot-kick struck an upright. Seconds earlier he had saved brilliantly from Kyle McFadzean to keep Shrewsbury's hopes alive and throughout the night had produced a string of fine saves that must have impressed watching Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce and his goalkeeping coach, the former Blackburn Rovers and England keeper Tim Flowers. The pair were running the rule over Hart for the second time in four days, having also seen Shrewsbury' home match against Notts County last Saturday.
From the side that defeated the League Two leaders at the weekend, Shrews boss Gary Peters made a number of changes that included a recall for striker Duane Darby who was overcome a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury to start his first game since February. It was Darby who went closest to an early breakthrough, bringing a fine diving save from Blades keeper Phil Barnes in the seventh minute. Ten minutes before the break, Darby went close again but just failed to make sufficient contact with a Ben Herd cross as he slid in at the far post.
Hart excelled himself in the 69th minute denying Danny Webber with a superb reflex stop and with extra-time looming substitute Mark Stallard almost won it for Town but Barnes was able to hold his glancing header. In extra time there were near things at both ends but neither side could muster a goal with United taking a 3-2 lead on penalties when Stallard missed with Shrewsbury's third kick. Both sides then managed a successful strike with Neil Warnock's side finally booking a place in round three when Hart smashed his spot-kick against the woodwork.
18 August 2012 - Sheffield United 1 Shrewsbury Town 0
David McAllister's fourth-minute goal was enough to give Sheffield United a winning start to their League One campaign as they beat Shrewsbury 1-0 at Bramall Lane. McAllister, who spent time on loan with Shrews last season, got on the end of a Marcus Williams cross to volley past Chris Weale from the edge of the six-yard box. Shrewsbury had several chances to equalise in the first half. Marvin Morgan failed to direct a header on target and Mark Howard saved Paul Parry's 20-yard effort, while Parry also fired narrowly wide following a free-kick.
Mark Wright threatened from close range but was forced wide and failed to get in a shot. United's Nick Blackman fired beyond the far post after breaking into the area and then tested Weale with a shot which was beaten away by the Town `keeper. United's Tony McMahon and Shaun Miller both had efforts saved by Weale in the second half. At the opposite end, Howard kept out shots from Terry Gornell and Parry while a Wright effort was deflected wide.
09 February 2013 - Shrewsbury Town 1 Sheffield United 2
United picked up a much needed victory; their first of 2013; as they saw off lowly Shrewsbury Town thanks to two very different goals and a strong second half performance.
Michael Doyle’s ricocheted effort and Dave Kitson’s long range strike were enough despite a sloppy late goal conceded after Stephen McGinn’s free kick was somehow allowed to drift in. The Blades were full value for the win in their first ever visit to the Greenhous Meadow. The away side shaded the first half and then completely dominated the second against a poor Shrews side who were missing target man Marvin Morgan and then lost influential winger Jon Taylor at the break.
United began with loanee Jonathan Forte alongside Kitson but opted to keep Barry Robson on the bench alongside a number of young players with no places in the matchday squad for experienced players Cresswell, Porter or Williams. Shrewsbury had been in good recent form and included former Blade McAllister in their midfield.
The game began in scrappy fashion with neither slide getting hold of the ball. United survived a scare when the offside flag prevented a chance. For United, Forte had the first effort that went over the bar. The game was mired in midfield with neither side getting the ball into any kind of dangerous area of the field. However on 20 minutes United did have an effort on goal and it came from a surprising source as McDonald hit a low shot that Weale parried away for a corner. Maguire hit wide from the corner as United started to take some measure of control.
Parry looked neat and tidy for the home side and Collins had to be alert to see off a far post cross but United were looking the more likely. Flynn went on a good run and nearly toed the ball past Weale before Forte appealed for a penalty after latching onto Kitson’s flick. Kitson was then upended and this led to McMahon’s free kick being saved by Weale. The free kick had direction but probably lacked power. United were now creating plenty of chances and soon after this Kitson headed straight at the keeper from a corner when he really should have done better. Shrewsbury had offered little as an attacking threat but former Blade McAllister had a shot blocked and then was off target on the rebound not long before the break.
The second half saw Taylor taken off for Summerfield but United started well on top and another opportunity for McMahon came with a free kick but he was wide on this effort. Forte had an effort and then from a corner Kitson’s header was cleared off the line. Murphy pulled his shot wide before Doyle had an effort blocked. United were dominating but could not get the break though despite being virtually camped in the home side’s half.
Finally just after the hour the deserved goal came. Murphy went past the full back and put in a cross that Forte seemed set to score but his effort came back off Weale and then the clearance hit DOYLE at point blank range and rebounded into the net. There was a slight appeal for handball but even it had hit his arm it had been smashed into him from close range and there was no way he could have got out of the way! Doyle ran away to celebrate with the United fans massed behind Weale’s goal and was booked for ‘overdoing it’ somewhat. It was a fortunate goal but one United definitely deserved as they had been in complete control.
Shrewsbury had a brief spell after this and brought on Bradshaw for Doble for but did not really create anything but at least they had some play in the United half for maybe the first time since the break. As they looked to somehow get a foothold back in the game, United scored the second goal.
After some neat build up and patient football, McDonald played the ball into KITSON who took a touch and then hit a long range effort that had the necessary power to beat Weale who was perhaps a little flat footed but it was a great strike none the less. Kitson saluted the Blades fans and also had time to signal what the goal meant to the home fans who had been exchanging barbs with him for much of the game.
United were keeping the ball well and it was their best performance for some time against a lacklustre and rather uninspiring home side. Robson came on for the tiring Murphy who had performed much better and was given warm applause when he came off. Robson immediately used his experience to win two free kicks as United looked to keep the ball. Collins got in two blocks and then Robson and Forte linked before the ball was cleared before a shot could be got away.
The game was petering out and United were in cruise control. They nearly added a third 5 minutes from the end. The ball forward down the inside right channel found Forte and he opened up his body before curling a left footed effort just wide of the far post with Weale beaten. Suddenly there was a goal out of nothing for the home side after a foul was conceded around 35 yards from goal but a long way to the left of the goal. MCGINN took the free kick and it drifted towards the far post and seemed to just float in. He certainly was not going for goal. Long should have maybe done better as the defence did their job in terms of preventing anyone getting in a header. Shrewsbury suddenly had hope and a game that seemed dead was back on. The Shrews were now knocking the ball forward and United looked nervy for the first time all afternoon.
The game went into the additional 4 minutes of stoppage time as Kitson came off for Ironside. United tried to see out time and despite conceding a free kick, Maguire headed away strongly and Shrewsbury could not fashion another chance before the final whistle signalled United were back to winning ways.
United – A much better performance. Today we bossed the game and although the opposition were poor, we deserved to win and 2-1 flattered them. We had around 7 or 8 good chances and their keeper made 3 or 4 good (not outstanding) saves. First half we were slightly better in a poor game and still could have been in front but after the break we absolutely dominated and were in their third for long spells. We missed some chances and made some poor decisions in the final third and it was ironic when the goal came it was lucky but it was deserved. The second was a great individual goal and gave the game a truer picture in terms of the score line. We could have had more but then the late goal and it was nervy for a few moments.
We kept the ball better than we have done and were more patient. The front two held the ball up and the wingers actually went at their full backs. The defence was solid against a poor strike force but most importantly for me was McDonald and Doyle who controlled midfield. We won loose balls, got more possession and pressed the home side into giving it away. It was not a scintillating performance but a solid one and a much deserve away win. I am not getting carried away as it was first decent performance for some time and we now have 2 more games where we have to replicate this level of attitude and application. It was about the effort and work rate which was much improved. We used our superior physical size (Shrews really small side) and imposed ourselves on them and allowed some smattering of decent football to be played.
We need to kick on and go for 6 from 6 points this week as that would put us right in the mix for top two. Two poor results and we could be out of the top 6 (only in it on goal difference). That is how close it is. Blackwell will have Bury really fired up for Tuesday and it will be a much tougher game against a side that needs a win as much as us (as would be quite adrift if they lost) and then we play another side in decent form in Colchester. We must and I stress must match the other side’s workrates. Today proved if we do that then we will be better than most in this division.
Shrewsbury – Thought they were really poor and one of the worst sides I have seen this year. They looked much better at the Lane and actually had a threat up top. Of course Morgan was out and the young lad Taylor who has been getting rave reviews went off injured. They looked powder puff up front and never really had any real chances all day. They got swarmed all over in midfield and did not press us or close us down. They did not seem to have seen what other teams had done well to us in winning midfield and out working us and often sat too far off our players all over the field (shown on the second goal and indeed the first when Murphy was given too much space). Oddly they have been winning games and in good form but today they never really looked like winning. If United had taken their chances it could have been embarrassing.
In terms of personnel, I felt they looked really weak all over the pitch and never really won individual battles. Richards the former Ipswich man showed a few neat touches down the left as did Parry the ex Preston player and the keeper made some good saves. Their defence looked leaden footed and up front they had no real pace or power missing Morgan. McAllister played in central midfield and had a few shots blocked (the one thing he could do was shoot/score now and again) but generally looked the same anonymous player I saw at the Lane for a few years as he proved despite their poor form, our midfield duo are still considerably better than him. He is very weak physically and does not get involved in games nearly enough for such a key area of the field.
They may struggle to stay up on that performance and maybe today was just an off day but I think they may get sucked back into things with some of the bottom teams seemingly picking up in recent weeks
02 November 2013 - Shrewsbury Town 2 Sheffield United
Nigel Clough tasted defeat for the first time as Sheffield United manager as Shrewsbury wrapped up a 2-0 win. Joe Jacobson's goal sent the Shrews into half-time ahead before substitute Liam McAlinden sealed all three points for the hosts late on. Shrewsbury almost raced into a third-minute lead when Cristian Lopez latched onto a long clearance from goalkeeper Chris Weale, but he headed narrowly wide with only visiting keeper George Long to beat.
United were restricted to efforts from long distance with Michael Doyle, Lyle Taylor and Marlon King all off target. It looked like it would take something special to break the deadlock and left-back Jacobson duly obliged in the 39th minute with a brilliant 30-yard shot into the top corner of the net after the ball ran into his path. Clough sent on Febian Brandy at the break but he was sent off just 12 minutes later for shoving Shrews sub Connor Goldson in the face.
Shrewsbury made their extra man count and added a second goal 10 minutes from time when Goldson burst forward and played in McAlinden, who took a touch before smashing a 10-yard shot to the roof of the net to seal a third win of the season for Graham Turner's side.
Statistics.
| @SUFC P: 7 W: 2 D: 3 L: 2 GF: 8 GA: 5 |
@ STFC P: 9 W: 2 D: 2 L: 5 GF: 7 GA: 13 |
TOTAL P: 16 W: 4 D: 5 L: 7 GF: 15 GA: 18 |
Biggest Win(s)
10 Aug 1999 - Sheffield United 3 Shrewsbury Town 0
24 Aug 1999 - Shrewsbury Town 0 Sheffield United 3
Biggest Draw
24 Nov 1984 - Shrewsbury Town 3 Sheffield United 3
Biggest Defeat
18 Jan 1986 - Shrewsbury Town 3 Sheffield United 1
Results.
1983/84
04 Oct - Shrewsbury 2 Blades 1 - LC3 1st Leg
25 Oct - Blades 2 Shrewsbury 2 - LC3 2nd Leg
1984/85 - Division 2
24 Nov - Shrewsbury 3 Blades 3
27 Apr - Blades 0 Shrewsbury 1
1985/86 - Division 2
31 Aug - Blades 1 Shrewsbury 1
18 Jan - Shrewsbury 3 Blades 1
1986/87 - Division 2
23 Aug - Blades 1 Shrewsbury 1
24 Jan - Shrewsbury 1 Blades 0
1987/88 - Division 2
17 Nov - Shrewsbury 2 Blades 0
13 Feb - Blades 0 Shrewsbury 1
1999/00
10 Aug - Blades 3 Shrewsbury 0 - LC
24 Aug - Shrewsbury 0 Blades 3 - LC
2005/06
20 Sep - Shrewsbury 0 Blades 0 - LC
* Blades win on penalties
2012/13 - League 1
18 Aug - Blades 1 Shrewsbury 0
09 Feb - Shrewsbury 1 Blades 2
2013/14 - League 1
02 Nov - Shrewsbury Town 2 Sheffield United 0