Rotherham United 0-0 Sheffield United
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
It was the Blades first fixture against a Football League club and against an English team after completing a seven day tour of Northern Ireland.
The Millers were out in force with a strong attendance of 4,580; although a good 2,000 were supporting the visitors.
Rotherham started off the game pretty well and in the second minute a Peter Holmes free-kick was saved by Paddy Kenny before the Blades found no luck with there effort at the other end.
Andy Todd flashed in another dead ball and left full-back Derek Holmes was unlucky not to see header hit the back of the net; instead it flew over the top.
A third free-kick for the Millers was headed out; this time delivered by Steve Brogan as the home side dominated the pressure. Mark Hudson unleashed a 25 yard shot which flashed wide before the two Holmes combined together to set up Paul Hurst who crossed for Todd to head wide.
The Blades responded well and Jonathan Stead did enough to get down the flank to cross for Danny Webber who flicked wide out the goal mouth.
Brogan saw his shot blocked for the Millers as did Derek Holmes after linking smartly with Marc Newsham. And, on 37 minutes the home side went close to opening the scoring when Peter Holmes delivered from the left hand side for Derek Holmes to find his header saved.
Keeper Andy Wartrington kept out an effort from Stead, but it was the Millers who almost broke the deadlock just before the break, former Sheffield Wednesday defender Graham Coughlan saw his downwards header cleared off the line who striker Stead who was back defending.
And United came close when when Alan Quinn summoned a free-kick which was headed out by defender Ian Sharps.
United found themselves kicking towards their own fans at the Railway End in the second half and started off brightly, forcing three corners but the home team stood firm to defend well.
After receiving an injury Hudson had to go off and was replaced by Dale Tonge; a recent acquisition from local rivals Barnsley. Blades skipper Chris Morgan found his header saved by Warrington.
On 74th minute Todd stepped in well to prevent Gary Naysmith from finding a clear shot on goal, Geary headed wide after a cross from left by young Nicky Law but it was the home side would spun out the last ten minutes the stronger of the two teams.
Millers: Warrington, Joseph, Sharps, Coughlan, Hurst, Todd (Taylor 84), Brogan, Hudson (D.Tonge 68), P.Holmes, Newsham (O'Grady 68), P.Holmes.
Blades: Kenny, Geary, Lucketti, Morgan, Naysmith, Gillespie (Law 73), Leigertwood, A.Quinn, Armstrong, Stead (Robertson 70), Webber.
Attendance: 4,580
Referee: Howard Webb