Sheffield United ended the year of 2011 at home against Hartlepool United which ended in 3-1 win in favour of the Bramall Lane side. The Blades went three goals to the good; all netted inside the first half.
Ched Evans was involved in all three goals as United raced into a three goal advantage; it took 12 minutes to take the lead when Evans shot was well saved by former Barnsley shot stopper Scott Flinders before Ryan Flynn notched home the rebound, his second goal in as many games.
The Welshman worked well for the second who eventually saw Chris Porter (34 minutes) head home and Evans (42) he netted the third after a neat one-two with Lee Williamson. Three minutes into stoppage time Peter Hartley (90) scored a scant consolation for the visitors.
Midfielder Stephen Quinn and striker Richard Cresswell were both absent through suspension against the ‘Pool’ after picking up five yellow cards – the pair will be made available for selection again at Brunton Park this Monday afternoon.
Following a thrilling 3-3 draw at Preston North End on Boxing Day Carlisle United made the trip to West Yorkshire last Friday night where they faced a stuttering Huddersfield Town at the Galphalm Stadium.
A win for the Terriers would have put them second in the table but the pair lost 1-1 – Liam Noble (8) had struck early on for the visitors but prolific scorer Jordan Rhodes (38) netted before the break to draw the side’s level.
The Cumbrians will host Sheffield United without forward Rory Loy after he broke his leg on Boxing Day at Deepdale, Liam Noble (on loan from Sunderland) is likely to take his place in what will be his final game for Greg Abott’s side.
Right Full-Back Christiano Ribeiro, on loan from Bristol City is hoping to return to the side in his final game for United – he did start against Huddersfield on Friday but prior to that former Sheffield Wednesday defender Frank Simek had taken his place.
Carlisle United could field Paul Thirlwell and Jon-Paul McGovern to face their former clubs; Thirlwell, 32 signed for United from Sunderland in a free transfer in July 2004 and made his debut in a 1-0 home defeat to Reading and scored his first and only Blades goal in a 3-3 draw with Wolves. In August 2005 he transferred to Derby County having made 28 (+7) appearances and scored just once.
McGovern signed for the Blades on loan from Celtic in August 2002 and remained with United until January 2003. He made his debut in a 1-1 home draw with Portsmouth and scored his first goal four days later against Walsall and returned to Celtic Park having made 14 (+4) appearances and scored three times. He later played for Livingstone, Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons and Swindon Town before joining Carlisle in June 2011.
We’ve met before...
In a bizarre twist of fortune this fixture could go anywhere – our first three league meetings with the Cambrian’s all ended 1-0 in favour of the away team; whilst our previous three matches have also ended 1-0 – but in favour of the home side.
This statistic also includes this season’s victory on 19 November 2011 when a Ched Evans strike was enough to win the game despite the Blades spurring a hat-full of chances.
|
venue |
p |
w |
d |
l |
gf |
ga |
|
Bramall Lane |
11 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
15 |
8 |
|
Brunton Park |
10 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
9 |
10 |
|
Total |
21 |
10 |
4 |
7 |
24 |
18 |