The Blades marched into the third round of the FA Cup after a 3-2 victory over League Two side Torquay United, though they were handed a scare when the Gulls took a third minute lead through Rene Howe before United launched a second half turn-around.
Matt Lowton’s cross was turned into the net via a Mark Ellis (68) boot, and a minute later the score was reversed when Ched Evans danced through to notch his tenth goal of the season. On 78 minutes Evans added another when he was gifted with a chance on goal after keeper Robert Olenjik miss kicked and passed the ball to the Welsh man who from short distance beat the shot stopper.
To add a tense finish Danny Stevens (90) fired home four minutes into stoppage time but the Blades hung on to book a place in the third round where they will face the winners of Grimsby Town or Salisbury City at Bramall Lane.
Defender Marcus Williams (from Reading) will play the last of his two months loan spell with United this weekend, it is however understood that Blades boss Danny Wilson is making attempts to keep the former Scunthorpe full-back longer.
Striker James Beattie may be handed his first team debut in his second spell at the club after joining on a free transfer little over a fortnight ago.
Having lost in the first round of the FA Cup (at Bradford City) the Dale were given a week off. There last outing came on 26th November when they lost 2-1 at home to Brentford; leaving the club 20th in the table and just one point ahead of the drop zone.
They are without centre-half Pim Balkestein (groin), as well as Mark Twaddle (back), Joe Widdowson (shin) and Simon Hackney (stomach) through injury. Left Full-Back Stephen Jordan is likely to be included in the squad to face his former club.
We’ve met before...
Sheffield United has played Rochdale in just one professional season; that was in the old Fourth Division which the Blades won at a canter. In January 1982 United came away from Spotland with a 1-0 win whilst they completed the double at Bramall Lane in May (3-1)
|
venue |
p |
w |
d |
l |
gf |
ga |
|
Bramall Lane |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
Spotland |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |