United had completed the first Premiership season in a respectable fourteenth with 52 points from 42 matches played, whilst Swindon Town were once again promotion via the play-offs. Three years previous the Robins had beaten Sunderland in the final, but were denied promotion due to ‘financial’ reasons; the Football League promoted the Black Cats instead.
This time there was to be no controversy and after putting out Tranmere Rovers (5-4 on aggregate) they beat Leicester City 4-3 in an entertaining showpiece final in front of a 73.000 Wembley crowd.
Blades boss Dave Bassett had invested in his side for the new season, recruiting Willie Falconer (from Middlebrough), Adrian Littlejohn as well as brining Andy Scott through the youth ranks. The previous Day Bassett had secured the £400,000 services of Norweagen International Jostein Flo, but wouldn’t make his debut against the Robins.
But it was clear from this match that both sides would be battle for survival against the drop rather than pick-up much needed silverware despite united playing out an impressive display on day one of the new season.
Swindon had brought in £500,000 signing Adrian Whitehead (from Leyton Orient) to replace the departure Colin Calderwood and their new arrival gave a good display of himself in his first game for his new club, but was clear that they will have to concentrate at set-pieces after being caught out by two which lead to goals scored.
Falconer became an instant hit with the Lane faithful when after 21 minutes made an immediate impact, knocking home at the far post following Dane Whitehouse’s delivery which in turn found the far post via Alan Cork.
The visitors had levelled shortly after the break and were converted by another free-kick, John Moncur hit a beautifully gifted shot from 25 yards out which proved unstoppable for Alan Kelly to keep out.
With fourteen minutes on the clock remaining Carl Bradshaw put United in front for a second time when another Whitehouse set piece was headed home by the Sheffielder, nodding across goal and into the net.
The third goal, which came moments from time killed off any aspirations of Swindon getting anything from this game and for the second season running Bassett claimed a first day victory. During his reign the Blades were often accused and guilty of using the long ball and this proved effective on this occasion, frequently used throughout the game, a long pass was deployed to Scott whose final shot was well saved by Fraser Digby, but Paul Rogers was on hand to follow up the rebound.
A report in the Independent suggested that Swindon Town will be a team to be felt sorry for, they have a ‘flexible’ formation and with Ross MacLaren playing as a sweeper they offered much in promise and Moncur was always in busy situations on the left flank.
Prior to Bradshaw (and United) taking a second lead the visitors will have been left feeling disappointed that it wasn’t them who had given themselves a goal advantage and the opportunity of putting this match to bed when Craig Maskell squandered his chance to shine.
Sheffield United (4-4-2): A Kelly; M Ward (K Gage, 82 min), D Tuttle, J Pemberton, P Beesley; C Bradshaw, P Rogers, W Falconer, D Whitehouse (A Littlejohn, 89 min); A Cork, A Scott. Sub not used: S Tracey (gk). Manager: D Bassett.
Swindon Town (5-2-3): F Digby; N Summerbee, R MacLaren, A Whitbread, S Taylor, L Nijholt; M Ling, J Moncur; S White, C Maskell, J-A Fjortoft (K Horlock, 70 min). Subs not used: N Hammond (gk), A Viveash. Manager: J Gorman.
Referee: I Borrett (Norfolk).
Goals: Falconer (1-0, 21 min); Moncur (1-1, 46 min); Bradshaw (2-1, 76 min); Rogers (3-1, 84 min