The break didn't seemingly give the Blades an advantage, despite a good start to the season at home, they lost a 90 year record when they lost to Bury, for the time since 1925, by three goals to one last Saturday. As a result, the Blades slipped to 5th in the league table.
Sheffield United suffered their first home defeat of the season as second-half goals from Tom Pope, Joe Riley and Leon Clarke gave Bury a 3-1 win at Bramall Lane. Billy Sharp scored a penalty for the hosts after Pope had broken the deadlock, but the Shakers rallied with two late goals and extended their unbeaten run on the road to 15 games. Conor Sammon's close-range header from Jamal Campbell-Ryce's cross forced a fine save from Rob Lainton early on.
United's Louis Reed then sent a curling free-kick just wide of Lainton's left-hand post. Lainton saved shots from Sammon and Martyn Woolford while Neill Collins headed off-target and Sharp wasted a great chance, lifting the ball over the ball from around 12 yards out. Bury took the lead against the run of play when the home defence failed to clear and with goalkeeper Mark Howard off his line, Danny Mayor squared to substitute Pope who found the net with ease in the 61st minute.
Twelve minutes later United equalised through a Sharp penalty after the striker was tripped just inside the area by Reece Brown. Bury regained the lead with seven minutes to go when beat Howard with a stunning long-range drive. And Clarke added a third in stoppage time, coolly lobbing Howard after Jay McEveley's slip.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins will be without the services of, Matt Done (collarbone), John Brayford, Bob Harris, Stefan Scougall (calf) and Terry Kennedy (knee), whom all remain side-lined through injury. However, United are boosted by the return of midfielder Jose Baxter, who finalised the last of a three match ban against Bury, following his sending off in the League Cup defeat at Fulham.
Sheffield United vs. Colchester United
Tuesday, 15th September 2015
League One - Kick-Off: 7.45pm
On the final day of the regular League One season, last season, Colchester United became national heroes as they defeated Preston North End by a single goal, and thus staving off relegation for at least one more year. But if the first six matches for the U's proves anything, having picked up just four points, they are yet again in for another difficult season, where only two points separate them, and bottom of the table Crewe Alexandra.
Last Saturday the U's where just 13 miles away from Bramall Lane, as they travelled to our local neighbours Chesterfield, a match which was drawn out 3-3, despite the hosts being reduced to ten men.
Chesterfield lost a two-goal lead for the second home game running and had a man sent off in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Colchester. Dan Jones put the home side ahead only for Gavin Massey to level and goals from Lee Novak and Sam Morsy looked to have won it, but George Moncur gave Colchester hope before a Charlie Raglan own goal denied the home side Chesterfield had right back Drew Talbot sent off in the 14th minute when he caught Marvin Sordell on the edge of the area, but took the lead when goalkeeper Jamie Jones allowed a free kick from Jones to bounce past him.
They were level in the 29th minute when Harriott's pass was converted from 12 yards by Massey and Callum Harriott beat Tommy Lee in the 43rd minute but a post rescued Chesterfield, before Novak gave them the lead with a close-range finish. Sordell was denied two minutes later by a superb reaction save from Lee and Morsy volleyed Chesterfield further ahead in the 74th minute before Moncur replied from 15 yards two minutes later.
Alex Gilbey should have equalised in the 90th minute but he sliced wide from six yards only for Raglan to turn a cross into his own net in stoppage time.
Colchester boss Tony Humes was without former Sheffield United striker Chris Porter due to an ankle injury, in the draw at Chesterfield, installed as captain in pre-season, he may also miss tonight's fixture against his former club. In his absence, new signing Marvin Sordell is expected to take his place, making his second appearance for the U's. Meanwhile keeper Sam Walker (knee) remains a long term absentee through injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Colchester United 0
