Butler, a free transfer from Walsall this summer was on target as he knocked home Ben Davies cross and thus netting the Blades first goal in pre-season. However the Cobblers levelled matters in the second half via the penalty spot. Performances rather than results are a key factor in pre-season friendly games but Blades boss Nigel Clough was looking for improvement following the clubs' 4-0 defeat at Burton four days ago. He fielded a strong squad which included Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Chris Porter and Stephen McGinn.
United also fielded two trialists; Robbie Crawford who featured heavily at Burton Albion and former Chelsea defender Adam Nditi. Meanwhile Cobblers boss Chris Wilder also fielded a strong side with former Blades Matt Duke and John-Joe O'Toole starting and former Academy starlet Evan Horwood amongst the substitutes. The teams were;
Northampton Town: Matt Duke, Daniel Alfei, Gregor Robertson (sub Evan Horwood 69), Zander Diamond, Lee Collins, Chris Hackett (sub Alex Nicholls 76), Ricky Ravenhill (sub Emile Sinclair 69), Darren Carter, Kaid Mohamed, John-Joe O’Toole (sub Ben Tozer 69), Marc Richards (sub David Moyo 84). Substitutes not used: Dean Snedker, Kelvin Langmead, Connor Roberts
Sheffield United: Long (Howard 68), Davies, McGahey (Maguire 68), Butler (Alcock 68), Nditi (Harris 61), Campbell-Ryce (McDonagh 65), McGinn (Basham 61), Doyle (Dimaio 61), Reed (Scougall 65), Crawford (Paling 6), Porter (Baxter 65).
Prior to kick-off Nigel Clough had raised his intentions to give his starting XI 60-70 minutes before being replaced before facing Dundee at Bramall Lane this Friday, but his plans took a slight scupper when 6 minutes in they were forced into a substitution following a injury to Crawford.
United had started the game the brightest and within 90 seconds carved out a chance but Porter headed over Davies free-kick before Crawford was left holding his hip after an aerial challenge and was replaced by Academy player Paling.
Porter went close yet again from a Davies set-up whilst at the other end Mohamed's effort deflected wide. United were creating the better chances and on 27 minutes was rewarded for their efforts. The visitors were presented with a free-kick following a foul on Nditi - Davies supplied the in swinger and BUTLER was positioned to finish home at the far post.
Northampton responded but Long was able to collect a cross before O'Toole could finish the move as the United back-line was given pressure to deal with. Reed half-volleyed from 35 yards but Duke was well poised to make the save. The first half finished with the Blades leading by one goal to nil.
Sheffield United began the second half with the same side which finished the first but build up play from either side was flat and took until the hour mark for the game to liven up again when Long raced off his line and clattered into Richards with little argument over a penalty decision. RICHARDS stepped up and hit home under Long to draw the scores level; 1-1.
During the course of the next ten minutes to follow United made changes and come the 68th minute had changed the entire XI (with the exception of Davies who played the full 90 minutes) whilst Northampton had made three changes also. Jose Baxter fired over as the Blades' 'new' side got into the game but chances were scarce in the final ten minutes with McDonagh curling wide before the final whistle blew on the 1,514 (382 away supporters) crowd.