A Jose Baxter penalty after Che Adams had been tripped looked to be the decisive moment as wasted numerous opportunities in the final third to add to the lead, but Worcester had a few moments themselves before late goals from Sammon and Freeman finished the game off. In truth 3-0 was a fair reflection of the game. United did enough without being outstanding and always seemed to be in second gear for much of the game against a side three divisions below them in the football pyramid.
Manager Adkins made changes from consecutive league defeats with Long coming in for Howard and Freeman returning for Flynn in defence. Camobell Ryce came back for Done and up top Sammon replaced Sharp.
Visitors Worcester buoyed by a 2,000+ away following had former Owl Deon Burton in the line up and featured more former league experience in experienced centre back Wayne Thomas and Ashley Vincent.
The game began with the Worcester competing well and showing a real tenacity. Harris made an early mistake that nearly led to a chance before Long had to tip over Gater’s long range effort which threatened an early shock goal. The game was relatively even but Baxter had a decent chance but pulled it badly wide. However on the quarter hour mark, the Blades took the lead.
Coutts played it into Adams who exchanged passes with Hammond and Adams was tripped by Miniham. It was debatable whether Adams may have reached it but there was no doubt over the trip and the yellow card was brandished before the referee.
BAXTER took the kick and converted well with his kick going right into the side netting to the keepers’ right hand side.
Soon after Campbell Ryce weaved his way into the box and hit a great curling right foot effort on the angle that the keeper did brilliantly to tip it onto the bar. The eventual danger was cleared and kept the non-league side in the game.
Adams along with Campbell Ryce, had looked to be United’s main threat in the final third but he had to be replaced as seemed to pull a muscle and went straight down the tunnel replaced byScougall.
Campbell Ryce had another decent effort again curled on the angle but this time went just over and then Sammon headed over after good work from Baxter. Worcester though had been well in the game if they had not created much but Burton had a shot Long had to save.
The second half saw United continued to control things but struggle to extend the lead. One good chance came when large gaps developed and Freeman advanced and had acres of space down the right and advanced into the box before hitting a fierce shot that Vaughan tipped over.
Scougall then made a good forceful run and his cross looked perfect for Baxter but he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Worcester had their first and best chance of the game when Nti got away from Hammond and Harris and his cross caused real confusion. Long could not gather but Burton just missed what would have been the leveller.
Buoyed by this let off, United sought to make things safe at the other end.
Baxter was felled as he advanced and Harris took the free kick that crashed against the underside of the bar hit keeper Vaughan and bounced past the post and out for a corner. It was an excellent effort and could easily have gone in off the keeper on the rebound.
Baxter and Coutts had efforts both saved by the keeper before finally, the decisive second goal came to effectively end the hopes of the Conference North side.
Campbell Ryce was able to make the goal with his skill and running down the wing. He got away from his man and pulled it back and SAMMON was able to hold off his man and scoop it up and over the keeper and into the net.
Basham seemed to pick up a knock and was replaced by McGahey as the game was now petering out with United in control.
Coutts went down after sustaining a knock and after treatment could not carry on and Reed came on.
As the game entered three minutes of stoppage time, a third goal came. Cambell Ryce was involved again and he slipped in FREEMAN who cut in and crossed for Scougall whose effort was off target but Freeman had carried on his run and tapped home despite appeals for offside.
The final whistle came not long after and signalled a relatively safe passage into the next round for the Blades.
United – Did enough. Just main thing to get though. In hard conditions where the rain and win was swirling and it was hard to play a fluent game but United did eventually start to create chances and wore the non-league side down. It was not brilliant but we had a lot more possession and a lot more chances. With a more ruthless steak and better decisions could have been 6 or 7 but overplay, slow tempo and poor final balls/finishes meant up to 80 minutes game was still in doubt.
Began the game slowly really and they had a few corners and a decent shot but then the first decent move we made, we got a penalty after some decent one touch stuff and movement. After this Campbell Ryce could have got a second and then we had a few other moments where poor decisions or overplay cost us the second. At times we were still very slow to move it forward and the tempo still lacking but when we did move it quicker and get the ball wide, we looked like getting chances.
We could have had a lot more goals but good keeping, poor finishing and some overplay in the final third meant it was only late on when we sealed it. Hard to tell how good United were against a side so far down the pyramid and one that did not have the fitness of the league side. First half they were well in the game and United had maybe 2 or 3 other chances but Worcester had a fair bit of the ball.
Second half I felt we dominated but the one good chance came that we got away with. With better decisions we would have seen them off but at 1-0 you never know what may have happened. United were relying very much on creativity of Campbell Ryce and sometimes Baxter and I felt we still looked a bit powder puff up top. Also in midfield, we were sloppy at times and still lack overall dynamism, power and pace to see of better teams. Still to be convinced by Hammond and feel we will get overrun by having such statuesque players in defence and midfield in the key central areas.
It is a big game next week. We simply have to win. A failure to win and we are around the middle and a long way off and thinking about a season that may be playoffs at best. As we have been in seasons gone we would be a long way off even at this early stage. Indeed, it is a big few weeks and we have to now go on a run. Campbell Ryce and Sammon probably did enough to remain in the side but those questions over the key spine of defence and midfield remain.
Worcester – They have it a good go. I felt first half they were well in the game and even though we maybe looked more dangerous in the final third (save for one shot Long pushed over) they did compete and were not outclassed. They knocked it about ok in the opening to the game and did push it around well without looking too much of a threat. Other than a few chances they defenced ok and the penalty would have been annoying as I am not sure Adams would have even got there. It was a silly trip.
After the break they tired somewhat and only a few last ditch tackles, poor balls in the final third and the woodwork stopped it from being over but then they had one good chance when the ball went across the box and evaded two players when they could have levelled. After this United took control again and then the late goals game. They plugged away and certainly were not disgraced but fitness took its toll and I felt they tied quite a bit after the break and United for once found opponents that were not quite as sharp, nippy and mobile as them. They looked quite slow and cumbersome and Campbell Ryce and Baxter stood out as two players they struggled to cope with touch and movement. I think the first goal was all important and after we got that, they were then chasing the game and the ball for long periods. They had long spells without the ball and second half could not quite match the decent start.
Still for a part time outfit, they gave it their all and can be proud of the efforts. The fans were also very good with large numbers and very vocal.
Opponent man of the match : Vaughan. Thought the lad Nti was the stand out in outfield. Looked trickery and made the best chance second half. He kept plugging away and technically looked the one who could maybe play higher level. Vaughan, the keeper thought made a few decent saves. The one from Campbell Ryce was a super stop tipping it onto the bar. Also saved from Coutts well and the free kick from Harris (bit fortunate) along with a shot from Freeman.
Opponent Weak link : Miniham. The right back had a difficult game. Gave away the penalty with a trip on Adams which looked pretty clear cut and was booked. He struggled with Campbell Ryce all game and could never really stop him. Often he needed his winger to double up on JCR such was his struggles with his pace and trickery. Came off second half which was not a surprise.
SUFC Player Ratings –
Long 6.5/10 – He started game ok and caught a few crosses and his distribution was better than Howard’s (not hard). He saved a shot you would expect tipping it over the bar but then missed a cross that whizzed across the goal first half and second half another ball he should have got just evaded the Worcester striker and it could have been 1-1. Not totally convincing really even though we were under little pressure. We do not have a decent keeper in the squad sadly and an area we must upgrade.
Freeman 7.5/10 – Decent game. He looked one of few classy players in an SUFC shirt. A few sloppy moments defensively but overall he looked decent on the ball and was steady in most things he did in his own half. Got forward well and combined well with Campbell Ryce. He had a decent shot well saved and then got a goal at the end after a good run where he carried it almost the half. Bit fortunate and maybe offside but had to be there to put it in.
Harris 6.5/10 – Thought he was very rusty for the most part defensively. He began by giving the ball away in the first minute and then he gave it away on the next pass too. Overall he let winger have too much of the ball and I felt he was quite poor in a defensive sense. Going forward mixed. Put one really good cross in but then sent several other looping poor telegraphed crosses. Did hit a great free kick that hit the underside of the bar and bounced away off the keeper. Needs to do better than that overall though.
Collins 7/10 – Steady enough. I actually thought he was better than Basham. He was better with the ball and more decisive defensively. He attacked the headers and clearances and overall did not do much wrong and was not really troubled. One poor clearance but overall he was ok today against poor opponents.
Basham 6.5/10 – Not quite as steady as Collins. Another few weak headers that barely cleared the box and he let them in once first half with a poor moment where he was indecisive. Still to be convinced he can be a mainstay in a promotion contending side. HE is better at the back than in midfield for me, but lacks dominance and assertiveness you need in that position. Very weak for such a big man.
Hammond 5/10 – Our poorest player. He did play the ball back to Adams in the build up to the first but remember little other things of note. He looked woefully off the pace again and was slow to get back, often hacking at players or pulling them back. He lost his man when they ran through and nearly scored second half. He finally got fouled for a cynical foul. Worrying that he has been here for 4 or 5 games but is getting worse not better and looks so unfit and lacking in mobility. On the ball he barely plays it forward and it is all sideways or simple square ball. Offers nothing to me and has been a big disappointment. I would send him back; he is no better than what we have and that is saying something. If he cannot stand out against a non-league side (not even Conference) then very worrying.
Coutts 6.5/10 – At times he was decent getting on the ball and playing it simple and tried to move it on quicker than others but also at times he was a bit too conservative too. I also felt he did not quite impose himself as much as he could. He is a funny player. He is a very good player on the ball at times and shows why he has been rated so much before but he lacks fitness, stamina to be a consistent influence. Today he can get away with it but against better and more mobile players not sure we would with Baxter’s deficiencies in mobility and Hammond also not having any pace or legs. That midfield as shown at Crewe does not have the tackling, tenacity and legs against most sides.
Baxter 7/10 – Mixed really. He played some great through balls at times and always looked to go forward. Yes, at times things does not always come off but at least he tries to go forward. He does have large moments where the game just bypasses him sadly. I do thing he has talent but idles about too much and for his ability is still too wasteful. Still for all the criticism he can still play the ball that cuts teams apart and at times he played some nice passes and did try and penetrate.
Adams – Started game as one of our main threats and looked lively. He got in and won the penalty and then also had an acrobatic effort just over but then seemed to pull up and was taken off on the half hour. Hope he is not out for any length as does look still one of our main threats going forward.
Sammon 6.5/10 – Not convincing but he did cause some problems too. Scored a goal which he kind of scuffed in and was involved in the first but I felt his touch and interchange was mixed. At times it came off him and did not always stick. His finishing also was not the best and he had a few half chances he should have done better with him. Another big guy who is very weak physically and gets moved too easy. Still for all my criticism I think we look better with him in the side than without and results probably bear that out when he has started
Campbell Ryce 8/10 – The best and most dangerous player on the pitch. He put a few poor crosses in and overplayed a few times but overall he was excellent. He put numerous good crosses in that ought to have been converted and was involved in the most of our good chances. Set up the second goal and as I say his penetration and running at the full back could have led to more goals. Had another great effort off the bar. He gets a lot of criticism but he still most weeks he starts (other than a few poor ones) looks a threat. Worrying that such a veteran journeyman is our main outlet but he was good today.
Subs
Scougall 7/10 – Thought he did ok. He was lively and nippy. Had a few decent runs and put one on a plate for Baxter who missed. He still is weak for me but today against some poor player his running and mobility was a threat and he did alright today especially as he played in a different position playing wide left and then just off the front.
McGahey – Came on for Basham who seemed to get a bit of a knock. Not much to do really as the game was over at this point.
Reed – Coutts received treatment and then finally had to go off. Reed was busy in brief time he was on.
Manager –
Adkins 7/10 – It was a win. He made some changes and overall a 3-0 win meant that the cup upset was avoided. United controlled the game for the most part and even though Worcester had a few chances, United could have had a lot more. He rested Sharp and at least gave Sammon some game time and also allowed Scougall to play an hour when Adams was injured and he did ok. To be fair we should have won comfortably and in the end we did.
Ref – Simon Bennett. Apparently it was his first game involving a football league club. He did ok in a relatively easy game to referee. He booked Miniham and I felt this was right. Some may have sent him off but I felt the ball had been over ran and even though the spot kick was right; they did not even complain which said it all; I felt a booking was the right decision. The Hammond booking was correct. The rest of the game I cannot recall any bad fouls or any others warranting a yellow card. He let it flow for the most part save for twice when he could have played on and brought it back. Our third may have been offside but it was hard as their defence was playing a bizarre 2 stepping out and 2 staying back which meant a lot of times we were onside (a few called off, may mean it was onside) so hard to say.
Crowd – 11, 108. Seems they don’t count all season tickets then as it would have been listed a lot higher. The fact so many did not turn up even for free tickets shows the level of apathy about. In horrible weather, it was quiet with Worcester the fans making the noise and they backed them well. United fans in general seemed disinterested but that often happens with Cup games in early rounds against lower opposition.