The Blades, overseen by David Unsworth following Chris Morgan talking caretaker duties of the first team fell behind to an experimental City side but soon hit back with Jordan Robertson netting his third goal in as many games before Chris Salt and Max Pemberton netted to win this match at the Lane.
There was good news too on the injury front; keeper Mark Howard played the first 45 minutes and came unscathed and possibly could be included in the first teams remaining fixtures against Portsmouth, Crewe and Preston.
Whilst United once again fielded trialist Jordan Robertson the Blues too fielded players wishing to earn a contract with the Championship club; Sam Gainford (Liverpool), Courtney Cameron (Aston Villa) and Facunda Zampa (SS Cavese) who turned out for the Blades Reserves in September 2009 in a 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday – see report.
The game was only five minutes old when the visitors took the lead, Smith lost the ball in his own half and following Higgins cross to the far post Richardson’s half volley was seen home. United’s response was rapid and within 60 seconds the scores were level. Barry – from kick-off hammered the ball forward and after beating his marker Smith was hauled down in the penalty area (quite poignant after four penalties were awarded on the same pitch two days earlier), Robertson converted with ease.
In 17th minute Pemberton volleyed wide as the hosts looked dominant, McDonagh was a menace for the Blues all day and within the space of a minute had two chances to shine; firstly his header went wide from a Whiteman cross before hitting the post.
Khan was denied by stopper Preston in the City net but the first half ended with Birmingham almost regaining their lead when Cameron’s in swinging corner was cleared by Salt off the line from Kelly’s header. George Willis replaced Howard at the interval and three minutes after the break was called into action; scrambling away after Delfouneso saw his header hit the crossbar.
Robertson was replaced after 69 minutes by Eyre with the scores still locked at a goal apiece, but finally took the lead after winning a corner. McDonagh delivered from the right and after Preston’s weak attempted clearance was hit home by Chris Salt into an empty goal.
Willis preserved the Blades lead in 79th minute after Richardson hit an early shot which he saved before Gainford smashed the rebound wide. He then denied Brown before united broke away and scored the third of the day. Eyre worked well down the right after good work from Smith and Scarisbrick, the substitute then crossed for Pemberton to time his run and hitting the ball past Preston; 3-1.
Sheffield United U-21: Howard (Willis 45) Scarisbrick, M. Williams, Whiteman, Barry, Salt, Khan (Dimaio 77), Pemberton, Robertson (Eyre 69) Smith, McDonagh. Unused: Heather, J. Williams.
Birmingham City U-21: Callum Preston, Ryan Higgins, Courtney Cameron, Jean Kalenda, Emmitt Delfouneso (Amari'i Bell, 60), Nat Kelly, Charlee Adams, Facunda Emanuel Zampa (Reece Brown, 55), Reece Hales (Sam Gainford, 55), Mike Richardson, Liam Truslove. Unused: Connel Trueman, Theo Bailey-Jones.