31st August Sheffield United 0 MK Dons 1 (Attendance: 15,080)

Blades Line-up: Long, McMahon, Hill, Maguire, Collins, Coady, Doyle, Flynn (McFadzean 90), Murphy (Brandy 63), Baxter, Taylor (Ironside 57).

Unused: Howard , Westlake, McGinn, McGinty.
Sent-off: Brandy 90+5 (for serious foul play).

Booked: Flynn 57, McMahon 90+4.

Man Of The Match: Harry Maguire.

MK Dons: Martinm, Hodson, Kay, Williams, Lewington, Potter, Gleeson, Banton (Alli 71), Bamford, Carruthers (Baldock 75), McLeod (Chadwick 62).
Unused: McLoughlin, Otsemobor, Smith, Reeves.
Booked: Carruthers 18, Williams 66, Gleeson 84, Potter 90+3.

Scorer: Kay 87.

Referee: David Webb (Lancashire).

Antony Kay headed a late winner as MK Dons snatched a 1-0 League One win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The Blades lined up with new signing Jose Baxter playing behind striker Lyle Taylor in a  now familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, there was also a recall for Matt Hill at left-back.

United were forced to kick towards the Shoreham Kop in the first half and started on the front foot with Jamie Murphy swinging a good cross into the box for Taylor, but goalkeeper David Martin beat the forward to the ball and made a comfortable collection. The Blades also applied early pressure with a number of set pieces, from corners and free-kicks, yet little came from them.

After 15 minutes the Dons should have taken the lead or at least called upon goalkeeper George Long to make a save. Some good work down the left-hand side allowed captain Dean Lewington to link up with Izale McLeod, the forward did well but somehow fired well off-target from a few yards out.

The Blades had their own chances to take the lead as well when Taylor shot wide of the right post and moments later the forward linked up with Baxter, nodding the ball into his path, but the Lane signing volleyed wide.

There was very little in the way of thrilling action for the remainder of the half, instead play was largely interrupted by niggling fouls with the Dons manager waving his arms around complaining etc. Neither side had been able to stamp their authority on the match in a positive way and United seemed content to play the ball around at the back.

Having cancelled each other out for the first half, the play after the interval opened up slightly. When Baxter unleashed a drilled shot the foot of Kay blocked it from testing keeper Martin, but the loose ball popped straight to the feet of Taylor who, somehow, turned his close-range shot wide of the post.

The second half settled into the same pattern as the first half, with United quite content to pass the ball neatly at the back and look for openings. It was not until the 66th minute that they had any effort of note when Tony McMahon opted for goal from a free-kick 25-yards out. His well-struck delivery left Martin outstretched to his left to tip the ball away. It was the closest either side had come to opening the scoring.

There had been little to get either set of supporters excited throughout the match, but Patrick Bamford tried to change that for the small following of Dons fans as the clock ticked down. when he wrestled his way through the Blades defence only screw his shot out for a goal-kick.

With less five minutes remaining United had a golden chance to win the game as they pulled the Dons defence apart when Ryan Flynn delivered a superb cross into the box which Joe Ironside initially missed leaving Brandy with a gaping open goal at his mercy. The forward, however, was left with his head in his hands as he turned his shot off-target with no one around him.

The Dons made United pay at the opposite end when Shaun Williams’ free-kick from the right was matched by Kay at the far post and the defender looped a header over Long to hand the visitors all three points three minutes from time.

And while hundreds of United fans were streaming to the exits in disappointment, Brandy was shown a straight red card for a dangerous lunge of Lee Hodson. Overall a frustrating afternoon for the Blades fans. Again United played some pretty passing patterns in defensive positions but made very few chances, and the few chances they did have were wasted.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. MK Dons: Long 6, McMahon 6, Hill 6, Maguire 7, Collins 7, Coady 5, Doyle 5, Flynn 6, Murphy 5, Brandy 4, Baxter 7, Taylor 5, Ironside 6.

24th August Bradford City 2 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 18,041)

Blades Line-up: Long, McMahon, McGinty (Porter 82), Maguire, Collins, Doyle, Coady, Brand (Ironside 49), Murphy, McFadzean (Flynn 46), Taylor.

Unused: Howard, Westlake, Hill, McGinn, Flynn, Porter, Ironside.

Booked: Maguire 82,

Man Of The Match: Harry Maguire.

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Darby, Meredith, Davies, McArdle, Thompson (De Vita 77), Yeates (Reid 65), Jones, Doyle (Ravenhill 89), Hanson, Wells.
Unused: Ripley, Taylor, McHugh, Ravenhill, Reid, Connell, De Vita.
Booked: Ravenhill 90+2..

Scorer: Wells 45,87.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Nahki Wells set a new Bradford record, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Sheffield United in a highly-charged Yorkshire derby.

Wells broke the 51-year-old record when he put Bradford in front a minute before half-time with his eighth goal in consecutive matches in front of a crowd of 18,041 - five this season and three in the final three games last season.

The Bermudian international took a headed pass from Garry Thompson and turned the ball past Neil Collins before scoring with a low right-footed shot into the far corner.

Then, after both teams had endured narrow escapes, Wells put the result beyond doubt with Bradford's second goal thee minutes from the end, turning the ball into the net from fellow striker James Hanson's pass after Blades goalkeeper George Long had made a superb save to deny substitute Raffaele De Vita.

The Blades' best chance came in the third minute when Jamie Murphy ran on to a through pass from Lyle Taylor, but Jon McLaughlin stopped his goalbound shot with his legs. The Bradford goalkeeper also did well to deny Febian Brandy and substitute Ryan Flynn.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Bradford: Long 6, McMahon 6, McGinty 6, Maguire 7, Collins 6, Doyle 6, Coady 6, Brandy 6, Ironside 6, Murphy 6, McFadzean 6, Flynn 6, Porter 6.

17th August Sheffield United 1 Colchester United 1 (Attendance: 17,167)

Blades Line-up: Long, McMahon, McGinty, Maguire, Collins, Coady, Doyle, Murphy, Brandy, McFadzean (Johns 75), Taylor.
Unused: Howard, Westlake, Hill, Porter, McGinn, Johns, Eyre.

Booked: Coady 39, Maguire 64, Johns 82.

Scorer: Maguire 45.

Man Of The Match: Callum McFadzean.

Colchester: Walker, Da Wright, Dickson, Okuonghae, Eastmond, Watt (Dr Wright 61), Sears (Bond 66), Ibehre (Morrison 80), Eastman, Wilson, Massey.
Unused: Cousins, Thompson, Bean, Gilbey.
Booked: Watt 45+3.

Scorer: Sears 25.

Referee: Richard Clark (Northumberland).

Sheffield United came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Colchester on Saturday afternoon.
 

The Blades made several changes with Tony McMahon returning from injury for his first start of the campaign. Sean McGinty was handed a debut and Callum McFadzean was back playing in the slot just behind striker Lyle Taylor in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The hosts made the early running with McMahon's curling effort going wide and McGinty shooting straight at U's goalkeeper Sam Walker.
 
But it was Colchester who took a 25th-minute lead when they caught the Blades on the break following a corner. Sanchez Watt advanced towards the penalty area before slipping the ball to Sears who beat goalkeeper George Long with a low shot.
 
Just before the interval the Blades found a way back when Harry Maguire fired a shot at goal from 30 yards out, it looked a east save for the keeper but it squirmed out of his hands and went just inside his left-hand post.
 
In the second half, Walker atoned for his earlier error with saves from Lyle Taylor and Conor Coady, and also reacted smartly to beat Taylor to Fabien Brandy's ball through the middle.

Overall an unsatisfying performance, Weirs men passed the ball well in defensive positions but made few chances in the final third. The Blades are crying out for a goal scorer.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Colchester: Long 6, McMahon 6, McGinty 6, Maguire 7, Collins 6, Coady 6, Doyle 6, Murphy 6, Brandy 6, McFadzean 7, Johns 6, Taylor 6.

10th August Brentford 3 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 7,316)

Blades Line-up: Long, Westake, Williams, Collins, Maguire, Doyle, McGinn (McFadzean 74), Coady, Murphy (Porter 74), Brandy, Taylor.
Unused: Howard, Hill, Flynn, McGinty, Whitehouse.

Booked: Westlake 44, Coady 83, Williams 87.

Scorer: Collins 57.

Man Of The Match: Neill Collins.

Brentford: Button, Forshaw, Craig, Dean, Donaldson, Grigg (El Alagui 84), McCormack (Saunders 78), Logan, Saville, Bidwell, McAleny (Fillo 68).
Unused: Bonham, O'Connor, Venta, Reeves.
Booked: Saville 20.

Scorers: Forshaw 35, Grigg 63, 76.

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

Will Grigg scored twice on his home debut to help Brentford to a 3-1 win over Sheffield United. Grigg's brace added to Adam Forshaw's strike to maintain the Bees unbeaten start to the season and inflict a first league defeat on new United boss David Weir.

United lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Conor Coady and Lyle Taylor coming into the side. Chris Porter dropped to the bench and Kevin McDonald was busy negotiating a transfer to Wolves -  so much for loyalty.

The Blades were trying to play the ball put from defence and utilise what was effectively a five-man midfield with Coady just behind lone striker Taylor. However, the odd passing error gave Brentford possession in key areas and did not enable United to get much of a foothold in the game.

Brentford are not a Notts County and United were soon to find this out. Adam Forshaw shot narrowly over for the hosts when the ball dropped to him on the edge of the penalty area and Clayton Donaldson’s near post flick from a Jake Bidwell cross was deflected narrowly wide.

United’s first sight of goal came when Taylor controlled a long Harry Maguire ball but goalkeeper David  Button was out quickly. At the other end, Neill Collins made a vital tackle to prevent midfielder George Saville finishing off a Forshaw cross.

But 10 minutes before the break Brentford were ahead. The goal came when United right back Darryl Westlake went rushing up the field and then lost possession. McGinn failed to challenge Saville, then Michael Doyle backtracked allowing Forshaw yards of space and with the freedom of Griffin Park to curled a shot in to the top corner from 20 yards out.

Not long after, United could have equalised when they found some space in midfield, Coady fed Taylor and the striker shot over from 18 yards when he should have tested Button.

Conor McAleny miss-hit a volley for Brentford from an Alan McCormack cross and United goalkeeper George Long made a fine low save to keep out a Forshaw drive.

A frenetic second half started with McAleny going close to doubling the Bee's lead after a low cross from Shaleum Logan, and at the other end Brandy run infield in from the right but fired straight at Button.

With 57 minutes elapsed, United found a equaliser much to the delight of the travelling 1,270 Blades fans. Murphy delivered from the left and Collins rose ahead of his marker at the near post to level the scores.

The hosts restored the lead shortly afterwards when Bidwell sent a long ball down the left flank. The ball fell for Stephen McGinn but he dallied and was easily robbed by Saville. The Chelsea loanee played a short ball to the edge of the six yard box and McAleny hit a pin-point drive beyond Long with Blades defenders watching on.

Long saved yet again from Saville following a McAleny run soon after, and as the later stages approached Weir made a double change with Porter and Callum McFadzean introduced.

Not long after the substitutions Brentford added a killer third goal. Donaldson battled for the ball on the left of midfield with Westlake and McFadzean. He won the battle and the ball fell nicely for Forshaw.

Man of the match Forshaw side stepped Maguire and hit the ball into the six yard box where Collins and Grigg were present. Grigg was quickest and tapped the ball into the goal.

Late on Brentford got a generous penalty when Grigg running into the United 18 yards box was challenged by Maguire and went down rather easily, but the referee pointed to the spot. Grigg took the penalty and Long made a fine save palming the ball onto the post and then diving on the ball.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Brentford: Long 6, Westake 5, Williams 6, Collins 6, Maguire 5, Doyle 5, McGinn 5, McFadzean 6, Coady 6, Murphy 6, Porter 6, Brandy 6, Taylor 6.

6th August Sheffield United 1 Burton Albion 2 (Attendance: 6,192)

Blades Line-up: Howard, Westlake, Williams, Maguire, Collins, Doyle, Coady, McFadzean, Flynn (Brandy 74), McDonald, Porter (Taylor 60).
Unused: Long, Hill, McGinty, Whitehouse, Murphy.

Scorer: Doyle 64.

Man Of The Match: Michael Doyle.

Burton Albion: Pickford, Edwards, Hussey, Delap (Kee 79), Sharps, Bell, Weir (Palmer 72), McCrory, McGurk, Holness, Symes (Macdonald 79).
Unused: Reed, Lyness, Knowles, Dyer.

Scorer: Hussey 50, 90+5.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne and Wear).

Chris Hussey's 95th-minute winner saw Burton stun Sheffield United 2-1 in the first round of the League Cup.

The defender pounced twice in the second half at Bramall Lane to ensure it was the League Two club, not David Weir's side, who progressed. United captain Michael Doyle had earlier levelled with a spectacular finish. However, just as extra time was looming, Hussey claimed his second of the evening deep into injury time to stun the home crowd.

United seized control from the first whistle and created numerous opportunities before falling behind against the run of play. Neill Collins headed over the crossbar after meeting Ryan Flynn's second-minute corner at the far post while Callum McFadzean went close soon after. Jordan Pickford, Albion's on-loan goalkeeper, nearly embarassed himself collecting a routine through ball but regained his composure to twice deny Chris Porter with acrobatic saves.

Darryl Westlake flashed wide from an acute angle as United turned the screw but Adam McGurk, making his debut for the visitors, had earlier served notice that Gary Rowett's team still posed a threat when he tested Mark Howard after meeting Hussey's cross. The defender edged Albion in front five minutes after the restart when United failed to deal with McGurk's centre.

But their lead lasted less than 15 minutes as Doyle converted in superb fashion from 25 yards. Extra-time beckoned but Hussey powered home an unstoppable header late on after meeting substitute Alex MacDonald's cross.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Burton Albion: Howard 6, Westlake 7, Williams 7, Maguire 6, Collins 6, Flynn 6, Doyle 7, Coady 6, McFadzean 7, Brandy 6, McDonald 7, Porter 6, Taylor 6.

2nd August Sheffield United 2 Notts County 1 (Attendance: 17,944 )

Blades Line-up: Long, Westlake, Williams, Maguire, Collins, Doyle (Coady 79), McGinn, Brandy, Murphy (McFadzean 66), McDonald, Porter (Taylor 68),
Unused: Howard, Hill, Flynn, McGinty.

lynn 87) , Murphy, Porter, Ironside (Kitson 64).

Booked: Brandy 50.

Scorers: McDonald 30, Maguire 67.

Man Of The Match: Febian Brandy.

Notts County: Bialkowski, Dumbuya, Sheehan, Liddle, Leacock, Haynes (Zoko 66), Arquin (Showunmi 61), Labadie (Tempest 58), Campbell-Ryce, Fotheringham, Boucard.
Unused: Smith, Coombes, Thompson, Spiess.
Sent-Off: Liddle 14.

Booked: Labadie 37, Fotheringham 52.

Scorer: Showunmi 59.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

Sheffield United kicked off the new Football League season with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Notts County at Bramall Lane in the opening fixture of the 2013-14 campaign.

County's task was not helped by Gary Liddle's 13th minute red card and United took advantage to go in front on the half-hour mark through Kevin McDonald. Visiting substitute Enoch Showunmi had an immediate impact by scoring the equaliser on 59 minutes, but Harry Maguire's 67th minute header ensured it was a winning start for new Blades boss David Weir.
 
The Blades were forced to kick towards the Shoreham Kop and lined up in their new formation 4-2-3-1 with Kevin McDonald operating just behind striker Chris Porter.

United made a bright start with Jamie Murphy curling a free-kick straight at Bartosz Bialkowski and then firing wide after Mark Fotheringham had given away possession.
 
Just moments after Danny Haynes had come close for County, the away side were down to 10 men when Liddle was dismissed after his high boot caught McDonald in the ribs.
 
The Blades called for a penalty on 20 minutes after Chris Porter and Dean Leacock grappled in the box before taking the lead 10 minutes later when Darryl Westlake got down the right and pulled the ball back for McDonald to finish inside the post. United had place some patent passing football which the viewing Unitedites appreciated and they received round of applause for their efforts at the break.

Weir's side continued to apply the pressure early in the second half as goalkeeper Bialkowski saved smartly from Michael Doyle and McDonald's swerving shot drifted wide. Porter then had two good opportunities to increase the Blades lead, but he firstly side-footed over following good work from Febian Brandy and then failed to apply a finishing touch to Neill Collins' shot.
 
And the Magpies made United pay on 59 minutes when the ball broke kindly for the giant stiker Showunmi  and he guided his 25-yard shot inside the upright.
 
But the Blades were back in front on 67 minutes when a deep free-kick found Maguire unmarked at the far post and the defender placed his header beyond Bialkowski.
 
New Blades signing Lyle Taylor came on as a substitute and saw a dipping free-kick pushed away by Bialkowski before Fotheringham's sweetly-struck volley whistled just wide at the opposite end.

In the closing moments, the Blades had two more chances to wrap up the win as Brandy was thwarted from close range by Bialkowski before on-loan Liverpool midfielder Conor Coady flicked an attempt wide, but  those misses did not prove costly.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Notts County: Long 6, Westlake 7, Williams 7, Maguire 8, Collins 7, Doyle 7, Coady 6, McGinn 7, Brandy 8, Murphy 7, McFadzean 6, McDonald 8, Porter 7, Taylor 7.