We Are Proud Of You

Sheffield United 3
Hull City 5

Wembley Stadium
Attendance 71,820

Away Blades 33,000

Away Hull Fans 26,000

It is now three days after the Semi Final was left in the history books, I would like to apologize for being so late with this match report, I have to be honest, it has taken me three days to get over the raw emotion coursing through every fiber in my body since Jose Baxter put us ahead, and I got to hear that almighty roar of a goal celebration for the first time at the New Wembley.

It was a memorable day and one I will look back on my entire life, it was a strange day, the usual pressures, the expectation the nerves, they were all replaced by a strange calming sensation, and I don't mean the beer. We were heavy underdogs, we had nothing to lose, the eyes of the word were not watching, judging lashing expectation upon us to progress to the final, we were here to win it yes but we knew that we had the freedom to go out and play without having to please anyone else but ourselves.  

Fans left Sheffield in their thousands, coachloads, carloads, I am pretty sure I even witnessed a few limo's haul past us on the motorway with red and white flags from the windows dancing in the wind, all of us together on our way to watch the team we love finally give us what we deserve, a day at Wembley that wont hurt every time we reminisce. And as the fans filled pubs surrounding the National Stadium, singing songs, having a red and white party the players made their way into the famous stadium. Not in suits like Hull, but in their team training gear, after all we are a football team, not celebrities dressing to impress in front of the worlds media.

As I climbed the stairs from the concourse to the stand my eyes took time to adjust, what I came to see was a sight to behold, the teams were walking onto the pitch, the grand stadium on one half was packed to the rafters, the full half, the red half stood in unison welcoming their heroes onto the field, family's, friends young and old filled the London air with noise, emotion, pride and loyalty for our team it was all on show today. 

As spontaneous minutes applause payed tribute to the ninety six Liverpool fans who never made it home on that dreadful day twenty five years ago. Whilst it was planned to be a minutes silence the round of applause ensured that no blemish was left on the moment, and also showed that we applaud the life's of those innocent men, woman and children who should still be here today.

The roar as the referee's whistle ended the minute shook the foundations of Wembley, it was time to put the occasion behind us and let the football take centre stage. A more familiar team took occupied the starting eleven than in the last game against Rotherham, Captain Michael Doyle along with Mark Howard, Neil Collins, John Brayford, Conor Coady, Stefan Scougall, Ryan Flynn and Jamie Murphy all being recalled after taking a well deserved rest midweek. The opening few moments couldn't prepare us for the ninety minutes of drama that awaited us as both teams looked slow to settle or get into any kind of rhythm. In the nervy opening the Blades tested the waters of the defense pushing forward's, this lead to Meyler picking up the first yellow card of the game after a fowl on Scougall. Just before the twenty minute mark The Blades ended the Wembley goal drought and rewarded the thirty three thousand with a goal that will last long in the hearts a mind's of us all, a Coady throw in landed at the feet of John Brayford, he took the ball forward and hit a delightful cross into the Hull danger zone, and in front of the opposition support Jose Baxter managed to force himself onto the ball, it hit the back of the net in what felt like slow motion, the Hull fans sat in silence as the West end of the stadium erupted, people were stunned. I myself opened my mouth to cheer but I

remained almost silent, it felt as though I had no breath in my body, the tips of my fingers and toes ran cold and numb, my legs felt lost beneath me as though I was learning to walk, I hugged anyone one who came within a yard of me, people embraced each other in euphoria, scenes like this usually accompany a last minute winner, but this, this was what a goal at Wembley meant to every single Blade here, two previous visits of pain with no goal, we had seen that goal now, and it felt better than any drink, drug or thrill seeking experience anyone anywhere could possibly offer me, but not just me. Sisters nearly in tears held each other, men hugged their sons and daughters close, and my dear old dad raised the picture of his fallen brother high in the air with pride, his brother dreamed of seeing us play at Wembley but passed away whilst watching the Blades before his dream could come true, for my Uncle and his family that misses him, that was the goal that would honor his memory. And as Baxter, born in Liverpool, a son of the City that lost so much those twenty five years ago it was the goal he dedicated to them, kissing the memorial armband before raising it to the heavens. As we all came to terms with finally witnessing a big game goal, the reality was League One Sheffield United One Premiership Hull City Nil.

It could have been two moment's later as Scougall came close, but his effort was to high on this occasion and drifted over the bar. It took twenty five minutes for Hull to register their first shot at us, and it was from Huddlestone, the only Hull player who looked of any real worth so far for Hull, his shot deflected wide on this occasion. United dominated from here, passing the ball between ourselves, closing the door on our opponents, and the fans cheered every pass, five passes felt like a hundred, when it surpassed twenty five we felt as though we were just passing for fun with no competition. But before the break of half time the frustrated Tigers lashed out at us, after finally managing to disposes us (which at times felt like it would never happen) Elmohamady played a clever ball into the path of Sagbo who slid in to bludgeon the ball into the back of Mark Howard's goal and equalize, he celebrated by shushing the Blades fans who had been in full

voice since the first whistle, but his arrogant behavior didn't have the desired effect, we grew louder, we heaped encouragement on our lads, and it payed off, as just two minutes later the lead was ours again. The urgency of Jamie Murphy saw him dart down the wing and out muscle his opponent, he then slid in a ball to

the waiting Stefan Scougall, the young Scottsman thumping the ball into the net before dancing with his team mates in celebration, and as Sagbo looked back all he could see was a sea of red and white, again surging to the soundtrack of a emotional roar. Shortly after the referee blew his whistle and called and to a fantastic half of football, we had to pinch ourselves and check that this was really happening, The Blades marched down the tunnel a goal to the good at Wembley. 

Now I hate cliches, but to say that football is a game of two halves is the most understated way of describing the rest of the game. Stern words and tactical changes saw Steve Bruce make a brave double substitution at half time, strikers Fryatt and Aluko replacing Boyed and Figueroa, and unfortunately for us it payed off for them. A corner took a few touches before luckily dropping directly into the path of Fryatt, he took his chance and fired Hull level. It was a sign of things to come, Fryatt then having one disallowed before Hull got their third leaving our hearts to sink, a neat bit of football saw Huddlestone and Meyler link up well with a sublime one two, a faint touch allowed Huddlestone to get the better of our defense and he calmly slotted the ball into the net giving Hull the lead, and as much as it pains us all with the way things were going in this second half it was now a deserved lead just as ours was int he first. United never gave up and neither did the fans, we never stopped backing our heroes and they never stopped fighting. Coady almost set up Ryan Flynn, but he was closed down and crowded out of the game denying him a chance to produce a dangerous effort. Substitute Stephen Quinn was brought onto the pitch by Bruce, and the ex Blade cult hero was unfortunately the one to break the hearts of those that still love him. A good ball into the box by Livemore was met by the compact Irishman who had timed his run superbly, he headed home and put Hull two goals into the lead, he held his head in his hands as his team mates celebrated around him, a class act to the end, a quality goal by a quality player, but one we wish he hadn't. The fans and the players still didn't know how to say die and we continued to try and get ourselves back into the game, it was frustrating as things had now gotten frantic, but we all still believed. Murphy tried to hit in a overhead kick from a set piece but Harper was relieved to see hit drift over the crossbar. Goal scorers Scougall and Murphy were substituted, Davies and Porter their replacements as Clough tried to reshape. We had a glimmer of hope tantalizingly dangled in front of us as Murphy pulled a goal back in the last minute of regulation time. Harris played like a man with nothing to lose skinning two players before chipping in a delicate but world class ball to the unmarked Flynn, the winger attempted to head the ball low into the goal but it was deflected, the deflection fell for Murphy who kept his composure to hit the ball hard into the ground forcing itself into the goal. The fans went bezerk and we urged our team to carry on this fight, and they did, they threw everything at Hull. Centre half Harry went on one of his mazy runs forward as United threw nine of their eleven men forward, no one was able to stop the talented youngster of disposes him, he found himself at the edge of the Hull box, cry's of shoot, and Harry was happy to oblige, but sadly, it wasn't meant to be. His shot was desperately blocked (I think I

counted four Hull players panic and dive for the ball) before it got a chance to test the keeper, and with so many forward we were hit on the break. Meyler scored Hulls fifth and booked their return for the final, five three to Hull. But we did not swarm for the exits, we didn't boo, we did not sit in silence, we stood and we applauded, we applauded our warriors in red and white, we applauded them for taking the fight to Hull, we applauded them because we were proud of them. We applauded our players until the final whistle a few seconds later, we only stopped applauding so we could sing, and sing we did. We may not have won the day, we may not have gotten to the final, but we did ourselves no injustice, we came here to do ourselves proud, and despite the scoreline we can finally say we left Wembley with our heads held high.

-Jonathan Gascoigne

The Kids Are Going To Be Alright

Sheffield United 1
Leyton Orient 1
Bramall Lane
Attendance 16,809

Jamie Murphy grabbed Sheffield United's seven thousandth league goal to gain a hard earned point against one of the seasons success stories Leyton Orient. In the clubs fiftieth competitive fixture of the season United were boosted by the return of Harry Maguire. Porter was also in the starting line up as Paynter dropped to the bench. Matt Hill and Bob Harris also returned to the bench after both picking up injuries away at Preston. The opening fifteen minutes was more a game of chess than a game of football, each side unwilling to take many risks or look to try anything out of the ordinary, instead they both attempted to retain possession whilst searching for a potential weakness to exploit.

Odubajo was the first to try and spark the game into life, but his low cross into the box couldn't find a team mate. Brayford's cross at the other end forced the Orient keeper to parry the ball clear of danger, both teams had now begun to test the waters and were ready to try and take the required risks to gain an advantage in the fixture. The deadlock was broken as Odubajo used a cheeky little turn to give himself some room, his shot deflected off of Brayford before being looped into the box, Cox used some sublime ball control and skill to flick it over hos marker, as Howard rushed to close down the danger but Cox slid to roll the ball under the Keeper and into the back off the net, one nil to Orient and as Cox ran in front of the Kop with a rather arrogant celebration it became clear we would have to show a vast improvement to salvage the game. 

The second half was a wake up call and The Blades changed their strategy and fought hard to gain control. A Brayford corner caused danger in the box but the ball wouldn't fall into the goal, Murphy's free kick looked goal bound but unfortunately the ball kept rising and went over the bar. A change from gaffer Clough saw United replace McGinn and Porter with Davies and Scougall, Jamie Murphy switched form the wing to being the sole striker. It was this tactical change that would lead to the equalizer. Goal number seven thousand was one that radiated quality, Davies played a high through ball that beat Baudry in the O's defense, Murphy used great pace to stay onside and rush onto the ball, he used intelligent footwork to round the keeper and slide the ball into the opposite side of the goal from an acute angle to beat the defender who was rushing back, he celebrated his goal in front of a jubilant Kop. United could have nicked all three points, Harry Maguire made an amazing run from his own half, skinning more than one opponent, but once he was at the edge of the Orient box his legs buckled and he resembled Bambi on ice, screams of shoot rang out but Maguire became indecisive and opted to play the ball wide and nothing came of the attack. A draw was a fair result in the end and both teams shared the spoils.

Sheffield United 1
Rotherham United 0
Bramall Lane
Attendance 21,529

Sheffield United have a trip to Wembley just five days after this fixture, so as one would expect it was a very different looking starting eleven that faced the confident Millers. Rotherham were on a sixteen game unbeaten run and confident of gaining their first victory at The Lane since the eighties, all week we had heard from confident Millers how we were going to be defeated, how many they would score, how badly they would humiliate us in our own back yard. But as other fans of other clubs have discovered this season, the best thing to do is ensure your words remain soft and sweet, because you may end up eating them.

George Long replaced Howard in the Blades goal, a back three of Harry Maguire, Matt Hill and youngster Terry Kennedy all had the duty of protecting Long from Rotherham's strikers. Kieran Freeman and Bob Harris took the wing back roles in this altered formation. Clough has selected a midfield three of McGinn, Davies and the eightteen year old Conor Dimaio, the young Irish midfielder making his first senior start. Baxter and loanee Billy Paynter made up the front two. The away fans had made a lot of early noise but soon fell silent and remained that way for a lot of the game, the cause of this silence, United having the early dominance despite an altered line up, with Baxter and McGinn both testing the away side with long range efforts. Rotherham did create a good chance but Tavernier's long range effort was strongly pushed away from danger by Long. The Rotherham total football we had heard so much about was non existent, the away team was content with long ultra direct balls up field that were dealt with easily by the Blades defense. And apart from a few chances late on for the away side the first half ended without incident. 

The second half got underway, Rotherham looked more determined in this half and built a strong momentum, but after having a penalty appeal for handball turned down it seemed they lost their composure, they began appealing for fouls and handballs at every opportunity, believing they were owed one, nothing could have been further from the truth. Two more youth players made their debuts in senior football as eighteen year old Otis Kahn replaced Bob Harris. After driving a hard long range shot that just went wide of target Baxter was also replaced by Louis Reed, a sixteen year old, also the youngest player to ever represent The Blades at league level. Kahn saw a lot of the ball, he looked energetic, pacey, composed and great with the ball at his feet, he was an instant danger, and he sent the Millers into a panic. United began forcing chances, McGinn fired just over. The talking point of the game came in the last minute, the kids had been bossing the game for United, we had taken control, and after forcing a corner tall centre half harry Maguire made his way into the box, before the corner could be taken referee Mike Dean had to blow his whistle twice and

warn The Rotherham defenders that they had to release their grip of harry's shirt and stop dragging at him. The corner was taken and ignoring the official's warnings Morgan dragged down Harry and conceded a last minute penalty. The Rotherham players were outraged, Steve Evans was outraged (his outrage lead to him giving a scathing blast blaming the referee on the radio in a bit of a temper tantrum) but their outrage couldn't save them from their own mistake. Davies stepped up, Bramall Lane erupted and the sixteen game unbeaten run was ended by a makeshift Blades squad, the South Yorkshire derby was won by The Blades.

-Jonathan Gascoigne

Precious Point and Common Sense

Sheffield United 0
Brentford 0
Bramall lane
Attendance 15,730

A single moment can leave you speechless, a rare and surprising decision can restore your faith in common sense, and yes it has finally been proven that a referee CAN change his decision. Sheffield United took on one of the seasons front runner for promotion Brentford, all be it without the suspended Harry Maguire, Brayford switching from his native right back position to centre half. Baxter and Scougall were put on the bench after picking up minor injury concerns at the weekend. Paynter and McGinn took their places in the starting eleven. In a game many were thinking we would struggle we played relatively well and had brief chances to steal all three points, but in the end a share of the spoils was a fair result.

As the game got underway the back four had to put in a tremendous amount of effort to keep Brentford out. The team in second place came out all guns blazing and controlled the opening quarter of an hour in search of the opener. The most nervy moment for The Blades came within the opening minute, Donaldson hit a weak shot, in the aftermath a Brayford passback was sliced by Howard straight into the path of Trotta, his deflected low driving effort was hacked off the line by Kieran Freeman. Donaldson had a few chances on goal but nothing to threatening. The Blades had a penalty appeal turned down (and rightly so as it was a weak appeal) when Murphy went to ground under McCormack's challenge. United started to string passes together and break against Brentfords dominance in possession, and The Blades almost took an unlikely lead, a low placed cross into the math of Coady needed an excellent block to prevent a clear goal scoring chance. Brentford again took control and a string of half chances and scuff shots kept the scores at deadlock, but as always United looked dangerous on the counter attack. Flynn made a darting run down the wing, and after a pass into the box Murphy had a golden opportunity taken away by a last ditch strong sliding challenge. It was then the defining moment of the game presented itself to us, it came around thirty minutes in, Trotta bore down on goal and an excellent tackle from a stretched Freeman won the ball and played it away from the path of Trotta, just as the Kop was applauding the tackle the evening air filled with the screech of the referees whistle, disbelief and anger engulfed Bramall Lane as the man in black pointed to the spot and sent off Freeman showing him a straight red, disappointingly Brentfords players were applauding the referee and already walking the ball to the spot, happy that they had conned a penalty and gained a man advantage, but that happiness was short lived, the protesting Blades players, the shocked Freeman and thousands of livid supporters poured their opinions in his direction and pleaded with him to go and discuss this instance with his linesman, the referee, well he obliged. Much to the panic of Brentfords players who began angrily crowding the official and his assistant before being sent away, after a few moments discusion common sense prevailed, the red card was rescinded, the penalty withdrawn,a drop ball and a stroppy kick out of play by a childish Brentford who were acting like a spoilt five year old who had just had their favorite toy taken away. The half fizzled out after a prolonged amount of a added time as a result of all the drama, and as the Brentford players continued to protest United left the pitch happy knowing they had coped well with not only the pressure put on them but by showing we can make breaks of our own.

As the second half began Freeman again made an important block to prevent an opener for the visitors.
United spent the opening twenty minutes on the back foot but coped well and looked comfortable mopping up the pressure. Newly appointed cult hero and super sub Chris Porter came on, replacing a disappointing Billy Paynter who had picked up a knock. The fresh legged Porter used his energy to cause problems with the visitors back four and looked to make a real nuisance of himself, especially when going for ariel challenges against the Brentford goalkeeper. Porter also mishit a header towards goal, but the ball looped and seemed to be falling on target forcing the keeper to tip it over the bar. Brentford tightened up their lines and again looked to take advantage of their ability to effectively keep possession, Douglas hit a long shot towards Howard but it was plucked from mid air, it seems due to Donaldson and Trotta struggling to get onto the passes from midfield (thanks to intelligent defending from United) that Brentford were limited to long range shots, non of which troubled us. But it was a long shot that nearly won the game, for United, a clever ball wide to Flynn saw him fire a curling shot towards the goal, the kop almost erupted but after minimal deflection it bounced a hairs width wide of goal scratching the paint of the post as it went out. In the final moments Trotta beat two defenders but hit a low shot straight to Howard as it became clear no team was going to break the deadlock. Full Time and a very well fought, well earned and well deserved point, as stated before the Play Offs were always a pipe dream but its nice to see that we can mix it up with the supposed best in the division, two more of The Sky Bet League One's top six, Leyton Orient and Rotherham United will visit Bramall Lane before our day at Wembley, and at this stage I say bring them on.

On a side note, to add to my already growing opinion that Brentford are like spoilt brat children who spit out their dummy when they don't get their own way take a look at this tweet and the picture they used to try and drum up people thinking they were hard done by.

Well in the interest in fairness here is a better and more impartial picture of the incident showing the ball was won.

-Jonathan Gascoigne