May 2012

Blades Line-up : Simonsen, Lowton, Hill, Collins, Maguire, Montgomery (Taylor 120), Doyle, Williamson, FLynn (O'Halloran 108), Quinn, Cresswell (Porter 85).

Man Of The Match: Harry Maguire.

Huddersfield Line-up: Smithies, Woods, Hunt, P.Clarke, Morrison, Miller, Johnson, Higginbotham (Roberts 79), Ward (Lee 98), Novak (Arfield 116), Rhodes..

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).

Huddersfield beat Sheffield United 8-7 on penalties in the League One play-off final to seal their long-awaited return to the Championship and condemn the Blades to another year in League One.

United had two changes with Nick Montgomery and Richard Cresswell replacing the injured Kevin McDonald and striker Chris Porter, the latter dropping to the bench. Huddersfield were without former Blades goalkeeper, Ian Bennett, who suffered a hand injury in their semi-final win.

The game kicked off in the baking hot sun with temperatures in excess of 30c, and with a pulsating atmosphere in the early stages as both sides settled into the occasion.

The Terriers forced the first corner of the game and Tommy Miller nodded the set-piece across goal at the back post, but Sean Morrison's goal-bound effort was blocked. Moments later Kallum Higginbotham lined up a volley which he dragged well wide.

The Blades launched their first attack in the 11th minute after Cresswell pressured Peter Clarke and goalkeeper Alex Smithies. Ryan Flynn's crossed and Lee Williamson headed into the side-netting with goalkeeper Smithies sprawling across his box.

United seem buoyed by that chance and soon forced their first corner, but Danny Ward defended it well at the back post. A crunching midfield tackle from Tommy Miller soon sent the momentum in the Terriers favour, with the loose ball falling to Damien Johnson. The Northern Irish midfielder found Lee Novak with a ball forward, but just as the striker stepped infield he was tackled expertly by centre back Harry Maguire. Left-back Matt Hill got forward to try his luck with a drive from the edge of the box with eight minutes of the half remaining as the Blades enjoyed a spell of territorial pressure, but defender Clarke was in the right place at the right time to block the shot to safety. Blades winger Flynn got a serious talking-to from the referee moments later for a challenge on Jack Hunt as the Huddersfield full back cleared the ball. It had been a half devoid of shots on target, with both sides looking nervy and cautious in their play.

Neither manager made any changes during the interval and Huddersfield kicked off to start the second 45 minutes and almost immediately created the best chance of the game through Ward. The winger collected a second ball 25 yards from goal after Calum Wood’s' cross was headed clear by Maguire and steadied himself before hitting the corner of crossbar and post.

United fought back and forced a corner in front of their own fans and had a couple more corners, the second of which was headed wide by Maguire. Higginbotham won his side a free kick down the right after forcing Hill to trip him, but Ward's set-piece was too long for its intended back post target Sean Morrison.

As the final 15 minutes approached Matthew Lowton set up Quinn, but the Irish midfielder drove his shot wide. Huddersfield went close to scoring through another corner when Clarke got his head to the ball, and when his initial effort was blocked, Miller slid the ball towards goal, only for Michael Doyle to clear it off the goal line. The following corner saw the Terriers go just as close, with another Clarke header pushed away strongly by goalkeeper Steve Simonsen. Novak kept the ball alive and eventually found Ward, but his clipped cross was nodded wide of the far post by Jordan Rhodes. United responded by throwing on Porter for the tiring Cresswell and he headed wide soon after being introduced, whilst he was in the wrong place when he unknowingly blocked Quinn's half-volley on 89 minutes. Then, Morrison delivered a long throw-in, but Simonsen did very well to claim the ball when under pressure. The referee signalled the end of the 90 minutes with the teams still locked at 0-0 and facing another 30 minutes in the boiling Wembley heat.

United started the better in extra time, Quinn sent in a deep cross but Porter’s goal-bound header struck Woods. Another chance followed when Williamson and Quinn linked up before the latter's shot was blocked. Both teams were still searching for the crucial breakthrough in the final 15 minutes, Jack Hunt found Gary Roberts with a quickly taken throw-in and the winger did very well to roll past Quinn. His clever reverse ball found Alan Lee in the area and Simonsen pulled off a superb save to deny the Irishman's first time shot.

The Terriers looked to have won it in the 112th minute after Rhodes won his side a free-kick down the right side. Midfield man Roberts stepped up again and Clarke got his head to the ball, but just as it looked like Rhodes would head the ball home inside the six yard box Montgomery managed to hook the ball clear off the goal line. Neither team failed to make a breakthrough and a place in the Championship would be decided by penalties! The spot kicks were taken at the Huddersfield end, and the first three penalties were all missed before Neill Collins scored for United, there was two more missed before Clarke scored to make it 1-1. Each team continued scoring their penalties. United were kicking second so each of their penalties carried unbearable pressure of for the watching Unitedites. It all went down to the eleventh round of kicks in sudden death, and the Huddersfield keeper scored, but Simonsen fired over the bar. It meant that Huddersfield won 8-7 on penalties and they gained promotion to the Championship.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Huddersfield: Simonsen 7 , Lowton 6 , Hill 6 , Collins 7 , Maguire 8 , Montgomery 6 , Doyle 7 , Williamson 6 , Flynn 6 , O'Halloran 6 , Quinn 8 , Cresswell 7 , Porter 7 .

Blades Line-up : Simonsen, Lowton, Hill, Collins, Maguire, Doyle, McDonald (Montgomery 45), Williamson, Flynn, Quinn, Porter.

Man Of The Match: Stephen Quinn.

Stevenage Line-up: Day, Lascelles, Ashton, Roberts, Laird, Wilson, Byrom (Reid 85), Bostwick, Freeman; Shroot (Mousinho 56), Agyemang (Beardsley 63).

Referee: Nigel Miller (Co Durham).

Chris Porter's late header sent Sheffield United into the League One play-off final at Wembley after a tense 1-0 semi-final victory over Stevenage at Bramall Lane.

The Blades had an unchanged starting eleven, again Stephen Quinn was in ‘the hole’ just behind lone striker Porter in a 4-4-1-1. Stevenage made one change with Robin Shroot replacing Craig Reid, who dropped to the bench. There may have only been 21,182 in the Lane, but the Shoreham Kop was packed and the sound booming down was ear-splitting at kick-off. And it was United who delivered the brightest start, they should have taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes but Porter's header from Lee Williamson's deflected pass was superbly saved by Chris Day, with Ryan Flynn volleying the resulting corner over.

The Blades continued to control possession, but they struggled to get into any more threatening positions, with the final ball letting them down far too often. In fact neither side could carve out a chance of note that would present an opener. Just before the break McDonald went down and needed treatment, the United midfielder continued but did not return for the second half.

United brought on Nick Montgomery at the break, replacing McDonald. Just a minute into proceedings the Blades had a glorious chance to take the lead but Flynn scuffed his shot in front of goal, despite it still looking goal bound Lawrie Wilson managed to block it with his thigh and Joel Byrom got the ball clear.

Then, Williamson shot wide of the bottom corner from inside the box and next Flynn smashed a long range effort also wide of the mark. It was a much more vibrant Blades after the restart, though, and Williamson went close when he turned Porter's cross just wide as they stepped it up, with Flynn missing by inches with a 20-yard drive moments later. The game began to open up and United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, who had been a virtual spectator throughout the match, was tested for the first time when he got down to save Luke Freeman's low shot at his near post. Quinn curled over on 62 minutes, after good work from Williamson, who then fired the next shot, a free-kick, into the Kop. Stevenage were a threat on the break and substitute Mousinho almost played a part instantly after coming on, as his run pulled the Blades midfield open unlike they had been all game. It allowed Freeman more space on his wing, and he held off Matthew Lowton to find Scott Laird. The Stevenage left-back then shot at goal and Simonsen did well to tip the ball over the bar. Moments later a Michael Bostwick pile driver from a free kick was too central and once again well matched by Simonsen. But with the clock running down, and backed by a deafening Kop, United increased their pressure on the visitors goal. They came forward in waves with a real menace and worked the ball well on the right wing, shot after shot was blocked en route to goal before Matt Hill rocketed the ball just over the top corner of the goal and, then Quinn forced keeper Day into a save with a right-footed effort soon after.

With six minutes remaining United grabbed a vital lead with the first goal of the tie when Quinn found Lowton on the edge of the 18 yard box, and he lofted a the ball to the far post for Porter to head home from close range and send the United faithful into delirious celebrations. There was three minutes of added time but United cleverly held on to possession of the ball a saw out the nerve-wracking final few minutes.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Stevenage: Simonsen 7 , Lowton 8 , Hill 7 , Collins 7 , Maguire 7 , Doyle 8 , McDonald 6 , Montgomery 6 , Williamson 8 , Flynn 7 , Quinn 8 , Porter 8 .

Blades Line-up : Simonsen, Lowton, Doyle, Flynn (Cresswell 90), Williamson, Collins, Maguire, Porter, McDonald (Ertl 90), Quinn, Hill.

Man Of The Match: Stephen Quinn.

Stevenage Line-up: Day, Wilson, Laird, Ashton, Reid (Mousinho 65), Byrom (Shroot 71), Roberts, Freeman, Bostwick, Agyemang, Lascelles (Myrie-Williams 82).

Referee: Anthony Bates (Staffordshire).

Sheffield United and Stevenage played out a goalless draw in Friday night's League One play-off semi-final first leg at Broadhall Way.

The Blades made three changes with Matt Hill coming back into to the starting eleven at left-back, Whilst Stephen Quinn and Chris Porter returned. Quinn playing in the hole behind Porter in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

The first shot at goal went to the hosts when Scott Laird from outside the box fired over the crossbar. It was apparent from early on that United were going to give their defensive duties a priority tonight, the first fifteen minutes was peppered with free-kicks and any goalmouth action was a rarity. It was not until the 30 minute mark that another shot from just outside the area by Luke Freeman went over the bar. An unfair challenge on Porter by Jon Ashton resulted in a free kick, and Michael Doyle had a shot which was blocked by Craig Reid. The home side had their best chance of the half three minutes before the break when danger man Freeman stole the ball away from Kevin McDonald and laid off to Reid, The Stevenage striker curled his effort against the crossbar with Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen managing to get the slightest touch, probably just enough to prevent a goal. Quinn had two shots blocked and McDonald produced a right-footed effort from just outside the box that went wide a yard wide of the goal.

United started the better in the second half, Ryan Flynn challenged for the ball in the six-yard box before Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day collected. United continued to cause problems for the hosts defence, a corner taken by Lee Williamson from the left by-line gave Quinn a shooting opportunity from 12 yards but Ashton blocked. Porter challenged with Laird at the back post and then Williamson went down after a collision with Freeman, but the referee did not give the penalty.

Quinn attempted an overhead kick which was cleared by Wilson and Williamson saw his shot saved by keeper Day. There was another opportunity after 70 minutes when Flynn got beyond the Stevenage defence before squaring for the on rushing Porter and Williamson, but neither could connect. Blades midfielder McDonald fired though a crowded penalty area and the ball deflected off two players before the Stevenage keeper collected at his near post. Stevenage's had a rare chance when from a Freeman corner, defender Ashton was unable make a decent connection with the ball. Then, Bostwick woefully fired wide from distance soon after. United continued to defend well in the closing stages, frustrating their hosts to the final whistle.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Stevenage: Simonsen 7 , Lowton 7 , Hill 7 , Collins 8 , Maguire 8 , Doyle 7 , Flynn 7 , Williamson 7 , McDonald 7 , Quinn 8 , Porter 8 .

Blades Line-up : Simonsen, Lowton, Doyle, Beattie, Flynn (Quinn 81), Williamson (Hill 85), Collins, Taylor, Cresswell (Porter 67), Maguire, McDonald.

Se nt-Off: Beattie 37 (straight red card) .

Man Of The Match: Kevin McDonald.

Exeter Line-up: Krysiak, Tully, Jones, Dunne (Bennett 47), Archibald-Henville, Sercombe, Noble, Nardiello, O'Flynn (Bauza 67), Baldwin (Duffy 66), Gow.

Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight)

Sheffield United must be content with a place in the League One play-offs after being held to a 2-2 draw at relegated Exeter City. There was three changes to the Blades starting line-up , which included a new front line with James Beattie partnering Richard Cresswell. Ryan Quinn was included and Stephen Quinn dropped to the bench.

The match kicked off with 1,577 Unitedites inside the uncovered away end section of St. James Park. It was the hosts who opened the brightest and got the better of the early exchanges. Indeed, the first real chance of the game fell to Exeter in the fourth minute when David Noble surged to the box and a neat one-two with Alan Gow before launching a drive just over the bar from 15 yards out. Five minutes later Nardiello managed to get the better of Matthew Lowton before rushing down the left channel. The Welsh striker then turned inside to smash a drive towards the top corner that was deflected onto the roof of the net by Neill Collins.

The Blades then had two corner of note which caused problems for the home side. Kevin McDonald was unable to get enough power after Harry Maguire had headed down the first and Beattie headed from the second chance which failed to find the target. With United fans positive and in good voice it was a shock to the system when Exeter grabbed the lead. Noble from the half way line exchanged passes with Billy Jones on the left before playing forward to Gow who looked to have gone into an offside position.

As United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen advanced Gow reached the edge of the box before hoisting an chip which went up and over the diving keeper into the corner to give the Grecians a 1-0 lead.

The hosts continued to have the better of the game, Noble played a cross field pass to Nardiello down the left side before cutting inside across the edge of the box and produced a shot that again was deflected just past the far post for a corner. United hit back with two efforts that were straight at Exeter goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, first a Maguire header from a corner and a Williamson strike. Five minutes later things went from bad to worse for the Blades when James Dunne miss-controlled a pass out from Krysiak. He chased after the loose ball, but so did Beattie.

The United striker went for the ball with a strong tackle catching Dunne on the shin. Although it was a genuine attempt for the ball, the Exeter player went down rolling in agony holding his face and the referee over reacted immediately reaching for a red card for Beattie, also amidst the protests he booked Michael Doyle for protesting. But despite being reduced to ten men it was the Blades who ended the half happier drawing level in the dying moments when Williamson slid the ball under keeper Krysiak from close range to make it 1-1.

United grabbed the lead at the start of the second half when they won a throw on the left side near to the corner flag, Andy Taylor delivered and McDonald saw his shot deflect off Dunne and beyond Krysiak's left hand giving Krysiak no chance whatsoever and putting the Blades 2-1 up.

Exeter used all three of their substitutes, whilst Chris Porter replaced Cresswell after 67 minutes . Maguire blocked Nardiello, whilst United's next chance was a Collins header from a corner by Williamson. The Exeter keeper then rolled the ball out to a defender, which was cut out by McDonald, but the midfielder was unable to convert. At the other end, Noble hit a 30 yard drive that Simonsen held at the second attempt. And from a quick break for United, Porter expertly turned Troy Archibald-Henville and Duffy before crashing a good looking drive across Krysiak and back off the inside off the Exeter post. But United blew it in the last second of the match when Guillem Bauza got the ball down close to the corner flag, he went unchallenged by United substitute Matt Hill and allowed to whip in a cross that Gow headed powerfully towards goal. Simonsen pulled off a fine save to palm the ball away, but he only succeeded in sending it straight to the diving Bennett who nodded home into an empty net from close range to make it 2-2 with the last touch of the game.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Exeter: Simonsen 6 , Lowton 6 , Taylor 6 , Hill 5 , Collins 6 , Maguire 7 , Doyle 6 , McDonald 8 , Flynn 6 , Quinn 6 , Williamson 7 , Beattie 5 , Cresswell 6 , Porter 7 .