The Blades run in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy has ended for at least another season after bowing out at Fleetwood Town in a penalty shoot-out. Having disposed of Worcester City in the FA Cup last Saturday, Nigel Adkins opted to make nine changes with only keeper George Long and forward Conor Sammon retaining their place.
The hosts had come very close to winning the match when they hit the crossbar in the 90th minute. The opening ten minutes of the match was met with much enthusiasm despite this competition taking much enthusiasm in the past, Jonsson headed over for the Cod Army whilst Matt scuffed an effort at goal and Long was quick to deny McManus as the hosts attempted raids on the Blades goal. United themselves showed attacking prowess as both Woolford and Sammon forced keeper Maxwell into two saves.
High winds blustering around Highbury threatened to be a thorn in both sides backsides but United used this to their advantage, Woolford's effort looked goal bound but was somehow deflected wide. On 39 minutes James Wallace tried his luck at goal from 35 yards out but flashed wide of goal. Before the break there was just one more opportunity for the visitors, in injury-time, Scougall worked well to tee up Sammon, his effort was good, beating Maxwell but Pond defended well, clearing for a corner.
The hosts started the second half ion much the same way as the first with Haughton flying a volley at long after only 15 seconds of the re-start. The Blades stopper also cut out a cross from Haughton whilst, after pushing away, Bell fired wide. After Ryan and James Wallace clashed in the box the travelling United support were screaming for a penalty, their appeals fell on deaf hears by referee Kavanagh. United then created a couple of good chances in the space of a few minutes, Kennedy volleyed wide from Woolford's corner and Scougall saw his shot clawed away by Maxwell.
Adkins made a double switch with less than 20 minutes remaining, James Wallace and Sammon exited the field for Hammond and Sharp whilst Steven Pressley brought on Hunter for McManus for the hosts. Hunter forced Long into a save on 77 minutes. Baxter was brought on for Reed in the final ten minutes but it was the home side who came closest to winning the game. Long prevented Grant before, on 89th minute, Hunter's half-volley cannoned off the crossbar from 20 yards with United bundling the ball to safety.
At the sound of the referee's whistle, under competition rules, the game went straight to a penalty shoot-out. The hosts went first with Grant putting his spot kick away, as did Baxter and then Ball. But Sharp and McEverley saw their efforts saved whilst Ryan and Haughton netted to win the shoot-out 4-1.
PENALTIES (Fleetwood first)
(1. Grant - scored - 1-0. (2. Baxter - scored - 1-1 (3. Ball - scored - 2-1 (4 Sharp - saved - 2-1 (5 Ryan - scored - 3-1 (6 McEveley - saved - 3-1 (7 Haughton - scored - 4-1.
Fleetwood Town: Maxwell, Jonsson, Pond, Bell, Ryan, Matt (Ball 58), Forbes (Grant 83), McManus (Hunter 72), Haughton, Teixeira, Davis. Not used: Sowerby, Gogic.
Sheffield United: Long, J Wallace (Hammond 72), Done, Scougall, Woolford, Sammon (Sharp 72), McEveley, Reed (Baxter 81), Kennedy, KWallace, McGahey. Not used: Howard, Freeman.
Referee: C Kavanagh (Lancashire).