Hillsborough Horror Show

Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Sheffield United
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Central League @ Hillsborough

The winger headed home for United shortly before half-time until after the break when the home side slipped two in the back of the net in the space of a minute when Akpo Sodje and Francis Jeffers put them into a 2-1 lead. However with just a minute remaining the visitors failed to level the score line when Kyel Reid failed to convert his penalty.

This fixture took part under the floodlights of Hillsborough which attracted a reasonable crowed for a reserve fixture; the game also had a slight Championship feel to it with a notable of twelve senior team squad members on both sides, these included; Ian Bennet, Jordan Stewart, Jonathan Fortune, Glen Little and Kyel Reid for the Red and White Wizards.

Whilst Frank Simek, Tommy Miller, Francis Jeffers, Sean McAlister, Leon Clarke, Akpo Sodje and Etienne Esajas turned out for the home side. It was an opportunity for the home crowed to welcome their hero Esajas; whom netted against the Blades at Bramall Lane in the major Steel City Derby clash at Bramall Lane the previous Friday; despite the Blades winning 3-2 on the night.

United also featured four trialists for this fixture with the most notable being former Glasgow Celtic, Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Henri Camara turning out alongside forward Fabrice Pancrate (formerly with Paris St German and Real Betis), defender Elliot Omozusi (formerly with Fulham) and midfielder Facundo Zampa (Argentine formerly with Udinese).

This Central League outing was in almost a deja vue feel to that of its bigger stage the previous Friday night; United enjoyed much possession during the first forty-five minutes and saw multiple chances in front of the Spion Kop but unlike Friday United didn't see themselves take the fifteen minute break as 3-0 leaders; however they had taken the lead through a precise Little header.

In the opening exchanges little could be said for either side as the play was equally 50/50, but it was the home side who had the first taste on goal but Bennett was easily met by Clarke's acrobatics. On 15th minutes both Camara and Pancrate saw efforts on goal before Clarke curled his shot round the post in front of an empty Leppings Lane End.

Pancrate, the French striker headed over the top after Esajas' long range effort failed to beat Bennett and Zampa shot over the bar after a quality move involving Omozusi and Little set up the Argentine midfielder. Moments latter the ball was in the back on the net; with nine minutes remaining of the first half an in swinging left hand cross from the feet of Kyel Reid was met by the head of Glen Little whom was left unmarked to produce a strikers finish and leave rookie keeper O'Donnell stranded.

:: Half-Time - Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Sheffield United ::

In the game at Bramall Lane the Blades had seen themselves take a three-nil lead with goals from Jamie Ward, Darius Henderson and an Lewis Buxton own goal - however this time United hadn't led the half with a comfortable score which allowed Wednesday to fight back and had reduced the deficit to a mere one goal after strikes from Marcus Tudgay and Etienne Esajas found the net.

Here it was little different and the Owls found themselves two quick fire goals which not only handed them a lead but in the end was enough to ensure a victory which was to be the Hillsborough Reserves outfit first victory of the Central League campaign.

On 53rd minute the Owls were level when Leon Clarke, who was arguably Man of the Match fed through Akpo Sodje who sprinted past Jonathan Fortune and after some indecision between Stewart and Bennett allowed Sodje to fire home.

A minute later and the net was bulging again when Clarke again turned provider for Jeffers, centre-half Fortune attempted to intervene the pass but unwittingly stabbed the ball into the strikers path who slotted home past the experienced Ian Bennett.

Trialist Camara was having quite an impressive start for the reserves and saw his hot fizzle past O'Donnell's post as United attempted to draw the scores level.

The Blades pushed and pushed for an equaliser and looked set to achieve this when two minutes from time Pancrate headed the ball onto Camara who flashed into the 18 yard box; he looked set to shoot before being brought down. Kyel Reid stepped up to the mark but his tame spot kick was equally saved by O'Donnell.

:: Full-Time: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Sheffield United ::