Sheffield United went top of the table last Saturday following an epic 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United, a point maybe shouldn’t be so spirited but after falling fowl at Glanford Park in recent years it was a pleasure to see United gain something there for a change.
However it was a lacklustre first half on the Blades part with the Iron firstly being reduced to ten men after striker Andy Barcham was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Michael Doyle (25 minutes) before shortly before the break the home side took the lead – Chris Dagnall (41) fired the Iron home.
After a poor first half the visitors reshaped and came back, Ched Evans had replaced Chris Porter on 64 minutes and eight minutes later a over head volley from Evans had swung into the back of the net to draw level. Late on United looked to win the game when Stephen Quinn stuck the underside of the bar and looked goal bound but the Iron defence somehow swept away.
Blades boss Danny Wilson reported after the game that no fresh injuries occurred during that draw; leaving Nick Montgomery (leg) and Johannes Ertl sidelined through injury.
Huddersfield Town are fifth in the table and four points behind United in League One after a 2-0 winning display against Tranmere Rovers with goals from substitute Gary Roberts (24) and Scott Arfield (82).
Terriers Captain Peter Clarke is hoping to return to the side to face the Blades at Bramall Lane tomorrow night; the centre-half has missed the previous four outings through a back injury and looks set to be involved.
In his absence former Barnsley Defender Anthony Kay has stepped up the captaincy and will continue at the Lane if Clarke isn’t involved. Midfielder Daniel Ward was forced to leave the field early in their win over Rovers on Saturday and may not feature against United.
Meanwhile fellow midfielder Damien Johnson is close to making a comeback after failing to make an appearance since December 2010 with a knee ligament damage injury.
Also sidelined is left full-back Liam Ridehalgh (thigh) and keeper Alex Smithies (knee) with former Blades shot stopper Ian Bennett likely to take his place with ex-Barnsley keeper Nick Colgan in reserve.
We’ve met before...
Huddersfield Town will be looking forward to this fixture more than United; statistically the Terriers have accumulated more victories than their Yorkshire opponents. At Bramall Lane the Blades have notched up just 13 wins in 44 matches played – their last fixture between the two clubs at the Lane in October 2000 ended in a 3-0 home victory.
However our last meeting between the two clubs ended in a victory for United at the Galpharm Stadium. On 27 August 2008 the pair was drawn together in the League Cup 2nd Round. Town had taken the lead on 34 minutes through a deflected Michael Flynn free-kick past keeper Ian Bennett.
United came back and in a late rally netted two goals in two minutes to win the tie in dramatic fashion; firstly Darius Henderson (82) slotted home after been given plenty of space in the box and a minute later Kyle Naughton (83) fired home from close range to send the Blades through.
It wasn’t a fairytale ending, they drew Arsenal in the following round and went down 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
|
venue |
p |
w |
d |
l |
gf |
ga |
|
Bramall Lane |
44 |
13 |
16 |
15 |
59 |
63 |
|
Galpharm Stadium |
48 |
12 |
16 |
20 |
52 |
69 |
|
Neutral |
4 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
Total |
96 |
25 |
34 |
37 |
114 |
137 |