With much of the League One schedule wiped out due to the awful weather that swept the country, the Blades took advantage to grind out an impressive 2-0 victory at Crawley. Built on yet another solid defensive performance, the Blades were good value for their victory as Crawley barely mustered a decent attempt on goal. At the other end chances were also at a premium but two superb individual efforts from an unlikely source in full back Tony McMahon saw United ease to the win. The goals were almost carbon copies as they both came from long range free kicks. The only difference being that the first one went in lower down to the keepers left whilst the second even more impressive effort was slightly more central and a little further out and ended up right in the top corner, once again to the keepers left.
The Blades brought back Dave Kitson from the start and also were pleased to welcome back Kevin McDonald as United put out a strong looking side; maybe its strongest eleven from the current squad. Crawley had former Blades Billy Clarke and Claude Davies on the bench but former junior Callum McFadzean was unavailable as his brother, Kyle joined fellow youngster Joe Ironside on the Blades bench. There was no place in the match day squad for Chris Porter or Richard Cresswell.
Despite the heavy down pours in the days and hours leading up to kick off, it had slightly abated in the build-up to the game and with a lot of sand on the surface, the pitch was deemed playable. Despite the weather United’s support was excellent with good numbers behind George Long’s goal and to the side/corner at either side) as the game began. However, the early stages suggested this would not be a fluent game of football as the ball frequently got stuck in some areas or shot away in others with the unpredictability making it difficult for both sides. McDonald looked to get on the ball in the centre and tried to find Flynn who was back in his more familiar position but the surface meant it was hard to much pretty football to be played. Adams ran unopposed getting away from Doyle but his shot was well off target. United’s first chance saw some decent link play and Kitson’s effort span off a Crawley boot and went behind for a corner that came to nothing. Flynn then gave the ball away and this led to a Crawley break and Hill brought down his man. The booking seemed a little harsh but Collins chose this moment to wag his finger at Flynn for his role in the caution. The free kick was headed away by Maguire and United were defending well if struggling to create much the other way. Long then had to be alert to come out and make a save after the through ball had threatened to split the United defence.
At this stage there had not been an effort of note on goal as the wind and rain lashed around the ground but the game came to life finally on the half hour when after Miller was clumsily fouled by Walsh around 25 yards from goal. With the free kick slightly to the right of the goal, McMahon, Blackman and Maguire all had dialogue over the taking but when things settled down it was MCMAHON stepped up and bent an effort over the wall and into the corner of the net with the slightly unsighted keeper Jones perhaps seeing it late. It was hit with accuracy more than power and the precision effort was a welcome first goal for the former Boro defender. United had the vital breakthrough and now had to defend sensibly up to half time.
Crawley came back and Adams header wide before Connolly had a long range effort that flew over before the half time whistle came.
There were no changes at the break but the home side had a good spell to open the second half and had half-hearted appeals for a penalty on Collins for a handball but the ball had been fired at the United man. Crawley forced a series of free kicks and corners but Maguire and Collins had been imperious so far and continued to head and clear the ball. Indeed keeper Long had barely had any real saves to make all game. Jones then shot wide before United went on the attack and had their own appeal for a spot kick but again rightly the referee Ward waved play on. Blackman worked some magic on the right and came inside hitting a powerful shot that Jones parried away. A shot either side would surely have brought a goal.
Akpan finally had a shot on goal for the home side but it was routine for Long and then soon after Miller was booked for a late foul in a fairly innocuous area of the field. Former Blade Billy Clarke came on for Bulman before United made their own striking change with Kitson, who had started to tire playing his first game for some time, being replaced by youngster Ironside.
Ironside looked lively instantly and his strong running and determination won a free kick with around 20 minutes to go as once again Walsh showed impatient and barged into his man. This time it was fully 30 yards and more central but MCMAHON took it again and this time his effort was a beauty with power and accuracy as it flew into the top corner past the despairing Jones dive yet again! McMahon ran towards the United fans massed behind the goal on the terrace who celebrated wildly as they knew this goal could be crucial in securing maximum points. McMahon’s teammates piled on top of him and it took some time before the game restarted with the referee having words with the United skipper Doyle over the celebrations but thankfully taking no action.
Home skipper Crawley Alexander was taken off and replaced by the powerful Akinde as Crawley searched in vain for a route back into the game but the game was clearly slipping away now. Indeed United were now finishing even stronger and a good run by McDonald saw a weak shot straight at Jones. Miller had put a good shift in but his place was taken by Cofie as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
United then won a free kick out wide but McMahon’s effort was miles over as the fans behind the goal anticipated a hat trick for the right back!
Doyle and McDonald had worked hard and were now controlling the central area. A few tired balls from the home side went out of play as a number of Blades fans dressed as Father Christmas started doing the conga behind the goal!
Right at the end Williams came on for Blackman as Wilson sought to eat the final moments as the Blades professionally tried to run down the clock.
There was an additional 5 minutes of stoppage time played but in truth the game had been up a while ago and Crawley looked a beaten side as United confidently knocked the ball about. The Blades fans sang the traditional Jingle Bells song confirming they were indeed about to see United win away and this was followed by chants also marking the Blades new status as the league’s new leader. Soon after the final whistle came and despite the rain, wind and generally awful conditions, United had come in and done a really sound job, defending well, scoring two well taken goal and winning the game with the minimum of fuss.
United – This was a really solid performance. We defended really well and limited a side around the top of the league to barely a shot on goal all game. The keeper was well protected and the two full backs stopped crosses. The two centre backs were excellent and completely imposed themselves on the strikers who were snuffed out of it. In front of them Doyle and McDonald did the scrappy stuff even if they were still a little wasteful with the ball at times. Blackman drifted in and out of the game and perhaps did not get on the ball enough but when he got it he still looked dangerous. Flynn was poor on the other side but helped out defensively. Up top I felt Kitson and Miller did not quite link, maybe not as well as Porter and Miller have and they often seemed too far apart and neither maybe had their best game. However it was a difficult game to retain possession and most of the game we had to dig in and do the messy things. We scored at crucial times and even outside of the goals we still had more efforts on goal.
On a day so many games went it was great for United to get in there, do the job and win. It was almost a bonus win with so many not playing and our game maybe in some doubt. I would have taken a point at a tough place to go so to get all three and put in a fairly commanding performance was a real positive. I know we have not lost at home but generally the team seems better set away from home as they have such a strong defence just (8 goals against in 12 games away is remarkable really) and now they could always pinch a goal.
As for today, whilst the defence were really sound again, the two goals we scored were superb efforts. Over recent times other than Evans I cannot recall many free kick experts (Quinn had a brief spell as did Tonge I suppose) and McMahon has had a few efforts this year that has gone nowhere near. When he got on the first I actually did not even expect a shot so was astonished when it went in and was not even sure it was him until he peeled away. The second was a stormer and we were right behind it and really bent and whipped before nestling into the top corner. It seemed to be going over but came down at the final moment and it was a lovely sight to see it go in. It is nice that it seems he gives us a real threat from such positions and now he has his ‘eye in’ maybe he may get a few more!
We had a few other chances but still were a bit indecisive when we went forward and did not really penetrate enough this way but still being the away side it was a perfect performance in that we kept a clean sheet, scored two goals and won fairly comfortable in the end. We did not dominate the game but I felt we did enough to win even if it was just for the solid defensive play and then two excellent individual efforts. They did not show or even come close to doing anything remotely like what McMahon did in open play or dead ball situations.
Pleasing to see Kitson and McDonald back and with options now up front (was Porter injured- Wilson said he had a hip problem - or just rested – seemed odd that two youngsters would be ahead of him on the bench in the central striking area?). With Howard and Francois also coming back hopefully the squad is looking stronger. It would be great if we could bring in a quality winger and maybe one more central midfielder to add competition in January. I still feel we need more going forward (not necessarily strikers although a real bit of raw pace would not go amiss – shame Cofie lacks composure and the football brain) and a real bit of creativity out wide (no offense to Flynn but he seems to be getting no better) would really help. It really is a poor division and despite us being in less than convincing form we are top and with two home games to come against bottom two and then Doncaster away we have a crucial week in which we could really push on and give ourselves a real cushion. It would be typical United if we struggled to dispatch or dropped points against Scunny or Hartlepool and then went and won at Donny!
Crawley – They have done superbly to move up two leagues and to be in with a shout of the top places of our division. They have gradually improved the squad and have had decent backing with some quite high profile (at least for lower division last season signings in likes of Alexander, Davis, Clarke etc). They have Steve Coppell involved and bounced back from losing the controversial Steve Evans and then Sean O’Driscoll soon after to appoint a promising young manager in Ritchie Barker
I cannot agree with Barker who said they had the better chances. One of their players said they were gobsmacked to lose but really? I can’t remember a real effort they had of note on goal all game. They had a few long range efforts and one where Long saved comfortably. Other than that I cannot recall that many clear openings or moments where our defence looked really concerned. They had a brief spell in the first half and then after the break did have 10-15 minutes on top but did not really tear us apart or camp in our half. Up front the experienced Alexander was marshalled well and even when Clarke came on I cannot remember many chances they had. I liked Clarke at the Lane, and like Miller, think he is a clever footballer who can get you goals. Still they are both in League One for a reason I suppose and neither has even been a regular at this level so they both have to show a long spell of consistency and do it for a season at least.
As for the rest of the side, they had a few decent players. The lad Adams seemed to pop up here and there and nearly got in a few times and Simpson had a few runs down the flank but they did not seem to have much pace up top and they also got muscled out of it a few times in the midfield area. At the back they too did not have much to contend with in terms of clear chances but when Blackman did run at them they looked concerned. I would have liked to have seen Claude Davis and that is not meant as a compliment to the former Blades defender who seems to have completely lost his way after a promising career.
They were the home side but never really got the game by the scruff of the neck and often were sloppy in key areas (as we were too!). At the other end they may protest the free kicks but both looked like they were fouls. Certainly the second the defender had hold of Ironside twice and he cannot complain.
Still they have done really well and will be delighted to even contend for a playoff spot. They certainly will not be anywhere near the bottom and should finish at least half way. They will be quite tough to beat at home as it is a quite a compressed, intimate little ground but I did hear a few fans grumbling about the lack of pace going forward and that they looked clueless in the final third at times. It was like listening to many Blades after leaving the Lane actually!
Long 7/10 – Had little to do really. Came out quickly and smothered one through ball and then saved a routine shot in the second half. Most other efforts were lone range and off target. The defence protected him really well.
McMahon 9/10 – Hard not to give him less than 9. He did actually play quite well against Tranmere and has now put in two back to back good performances. Outside of his goals he played well like the rest of the defence and did the basics. The two free kicks were superb efforts and basically decided a relatively even game. I did think Westlake had been unlucky to lose his place and he offers us more going forward ****il today!) but McMahon has improved in recent weeks. Has to keep it up.
Hill 7.5/10 – Solid performance although picked up a booking when the winger went away from him after Flynn had not helped him by giving the ball away. After this he had to play a long time on a booking but defended with authority and like the rest at the back kept it simple but kept his shape and discipline. Been very good most of this season and is a far cry from the laughing stock he was to many (including myself) when we first signed him.
Maguire 8/10 –Another commanding showing. He got completely on top of the strikers he faced and won numerous headers and tackles. He made sure we did not give anything away at the back and was sensible on the ball too. Having an excellent season, even better than last year.
Collins 8/10 – I have felt at times his performances have been a bit down on his solid form last year but today he was very good and along with Maguire we did not look like giving many chances away at all. He got stronger as the game went on to the point the experienced Alexander looked very poor and had to be taken off. Lost count of the number of headers he made to clear it and helped ensure any pressure on us was taken away completely by getting the ball out of harms way.
Flynn 5.5/10 – Thought he was one of our weak links again. Maybe he did ok defensively (but led to Hill’s booking) but on the ball at times he gave it away too easily and did not do enough again for me. I expect to see the odd cross, run at his full back or shot but today I can’t recall many things he did really. I think he has a decent touch, lovely crosser of the ball at times but he really needs to exert himself more or Wilson will replace him in the side.
Doyle 6.5 /10 – Bit of a mixed bag. He did some of the nitty gritty but a bit sloppy with the ball at times and actually tried to overplay a few times. He seemed to get better as the game went on and won a few loose balls and helped us slowly get on top after a poor start to the second half threatened to see them come back. Seemed better with McDonald alongside him.
McDonald 6.5/10 – Pleasing to see him back in the side. Felt he was quiet for long spells and once again he did not perhaps get on the ball as much as I would like but then he started to become more influential. Had a few nice touches and passes in the second half and had one good run which ended with a shot on goal (that lacked power) – I would like to see more of that incidentally. For a man of his quality he does need to impose himself but even at half pace and drifting in and out of the game he is still a mile better than any other options we have in this area.
Blackman 7/10 – He did little in the first half and I felt they realised he was one of our main threats but after the break he found more space and actually came inside and became more of a threat. He had one shot with his right foot I think that nearly went in and a few other runs down the right hand side where they backed off realising he was a real danger with pace and quick feet. Hard to justify putting him back up front as he currently is such a threat out wide.
Miller 6/10 –Quiet-ish game for the most part even if he did keep working and chasing. He won the first free kick that led to the goal and chased and harried second half (too much when he committed a foul that led to a booking). Not quite as much of a threat with Kitson alongside him but I think that might be the first time they have played together properly so it may need a bit of time to gel.
Kitson 6/10 – Showed a few neat touches and had one shot deflected over but he looked a little rusty and seemed too far off his strike partner. He still showed some intelligence winning a few free kicks etc and hopefully at home he can be more of a threat with more chances etc.
Subs
Ironside – Surprised he got the call when Kitson clearly was tiring but when he came on he did put a lot of effort in and showed how much desire he had. Chased down numerous loose balls and won a few free kicks, including the one that led to the second goal. He is not fast nor that big (effective in the air) so hard to see what sort of player he is but so far he has done ok in limited time at Carlisle and Crawley so obviously Wilson has seen something he likes in him.
Cofie – Brought on for Miller towards the end. The game was petering out (in our favour) and I cannot recall him having many touches as United were just playing it safe often knocking it down the channels etc.
Williams – Brought on at full time to protect the defence as he went out wide and played right in front of McMahon on the right.
Officials – Mr Ward had a quiet-ish game. There were four bookings; two for either side. I felt all these were a little soft and maybe the ref could have realised the conditions did not help. Still despite this he reffed it ok. I cannot recall many decisions being that controversial. A few half-hearted penalty appeals either way were rightly turned down and then the free kicks given seemed fouls to me as the centre back continually went through the back of our players. Outside of this it was a relatively easy game to referee really as both teams competed hard without being over the top despite the difficult weather and playing surface.
Crowd/Day Out – We took 1,261 fans which was impressive for a 400 mile round trip on the Saturday before Xmas and in awful weather! We had the small terrace behind the goal which snaked around one corner and this seemed full and then a small part of the stand (with seats) that resembled a marquee at a wedding! The facilities were not the best as it seemed there was only one snack bar/toilet (and no beer in the ground?) and the stewards/turnstile operators outside seemed to struggle with the numbers coming through. They were probably not used to such a large (for this ground) away following. Credit to the stewards in the ground though who were able to enjoy the banter and not be over zealous and realise the United fans were just having a good laugh!
It was good to stand on a terrace again although a little bizarre to be surrounded by countless Blades dressed in Santa costumes. The following were very vocal and in good spirits despite the abysmal weather and the win helped no end as the singing got louder as they realised we were set to not only win on the eve of Xmas but also go top of the league!
As for the rest of my day/weekend; well it was a good un. Got into London around 9.30am on Saturday and took little un on London Eye as he had never been on it before. Me and my mate then headed to Crawley as my wife and son stayed in London as they went to the Tower of London/a Pantomime (starring CJ from eggheads!)/Natural History Museum etc. Despite the delays and cancellations on trains Brighton bound, we managed to board a Southampton train from Victoria and got to Crawley around 1.45ish and had a few at the Station pub and then walked to the ground. Strange to be walking through a housing estate and then suddenly emerge by a roundabout and the ground. After the game we had to wait to get back to London due to more delays (so had to have cans on the station) and when we got in my son was exhausted and thus plans to go to the Winter Wonderland had to be aborted in favour of a quick McDonalds and then back to our hotel. Today we went to the cable car (one that was opened for the Olympics), went to Somerset House Ice Skating rink and then wandered down Oxford/Regent Street before going to Hyde Park (Winter Wonderland) which was really good. We got back around 9.30pm tonight as I carried my little un into the house and straight into bed. A good weekend with some quality family time and a Blades away win thrown in.
Hope all of you and your families all have a great Christmas. Up the Blades.