A disastrous start to the new 2015/16 looks like the Blades 4-0 defeat at Gillingham on day one was nothing more than just a blip, we hope! United bounced back from that heavy defeat, and in some style, beating local rivals Chesterfield, by two goals without reply.
Sheffield United bounced back from their opening day defeat at Gillingham with Che Adams scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at home to Chesterfield. Adams opened the scoring after only three minutes when he pounced on the rebound and fired into the net after Conor Sammon's shot was parried by goalkeeper Tommy Lee.
During a good spell for the visitors, Ian Evatt's ball across the face of goal forced an important clearance from David Edgar. Dan Gardner also threatened on a couple of occasions, putting a long-range effort off target and then having a shot deflected wide. Chesterfield continued to press with Jay O'Shea's shot deflected wide and Sam Morsy putting a 25-yard effort straight at keeper Mark Howard, who also had to get down low to his right to save a shot from debutant Lee Novak.
United went further ahead soon after the re-start when Adams slotted the ball past Lee after finding himself in space inside the area. Chesterfield went close to pulling a goal back when Sam Hird's header was touched onto the crossbar by Howard.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins may use winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce, after the former Barnsley man was deemed fit and starting the game against his former club Chesterfield on the bench. However, they will still be without; Matt Done (collarbone), Ryan Flynn (Achilles) and Terry Kennedy (knee), who are all side-lined through injury.
Former posh trio, Florent Cuvelier, Paul Coutts and Craig Alcock are unlikley to feature.
Peterborough United vs. Sheffield United
League One @ London Road
Tuesday, 18th August 2015, Kick-Off: 7.30pm
Peterborough United, who are tipped to be amongst the top six come May, currently lay 11th in the table after only two matches played. Like United, they were defeated on the opening day of the season (2-0 at Rochdale), but bounced back with a 2-1 win over Colchester United. They were also victorious in the League Cup, beating Crawley Town by two goals without reply and will face a home tie with Charlton Athletic in round 2.
Marcus Maddison did the damage as Peterborough sank Colchester 2-1 to collect a first League One success of the season. Maddison bagged both goals as the hosts came from behind to claim victory at the ABAX Stadium. The game exploded into life with a flurry of three goals in the space of four first-half minutes. Macauley Bonne provided the finishing touch to a Gavin Massey cross as Colchester hit the front on the half-hour mark courtesy of a slick counter-attack.
But Posh had an instant response to level within 60 seconds as Maddison's looping cross-shot from the left caught Elliot Parish by surprise. There was no doubt the visiting goalkeeper was at fault when Maddison completed a quick turnaround after 34 minutes though, with a low 20-yard drive. Conor Washington saw a third Peterborough goal ruled out for offside eight minutes into the second half, but they soon received a huge slice of good fortune from the officials.
Goalkeeper Ben Alnwick escaped with a yellow card after dashing from his area to challenge Massey before handling the ball. Maddison was only a whisker away from a hat-trick when steering a late free-kick onto the roof of the net.
Posh boss Dave Robertson will be without defender Jack Baldwin (crucial ligament), who has been out injured since last November. However, he is expected to return to training, much delight to Robertson who told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire; "He's worked his socks off and his fitness is very high, he'll go through a pre-season in terms of work with the ball. We'll ease him into reserve games so when he does return he's at full match fitness."
Blades-Mad Prediction: Peterborough United 1 Sheffield United 2
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