Rotherham United 1-2 Sheffield United: Blades leave it late to extend winning run
Sheffield United snatched a last minute away victory over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon. A first half header from Vinicius Souza was equalled in the second half by Joseph Hungbo, before Blades academy star Louie Marsh tapped home United’s winner with just seconds to play.
Gustavo Hamer got 45 minutes under his belt for the first time in this pre-season, meanwhile Anel Ahmedhodzic made his return to the side.
The Blades persisted with their 4-2-3-1 shape with Hamer playing off the left.
Blades: A. Davies, McCallum, Arblaster (Dozzell 45), Hamer (Slimane 45), Moore (Marsh 79), O’Hare, Ahmedhodzic (Peck 68), Shackleton (Seriki 20), Robinson, Souza (Sachdev 79), Brooks.
Unused: Faxon, Curtis, Hampson, Burrows, Boyes.
Sheffield United were very bright in the first half: Souza and Arblaster were splitting the lines very easily as they found the likes of Hamer, O’Hare and Brooks in the pockets.
But for all the intricate passing and movement it was a traditional route which brought about the game’s opening goal. Arblaster, taking an outswinging corner from the right, found Souza in the box who diverted the ball down and into the back of the net in the 10th minute.
Hamer and O’Hare appeared to have the licence to roam in the final third, and the former Coventry City teammates were in sync with each other from the get go.Unfortunately Jamie Shackleton was forced off midway through the first period.
As the half progressed the Blades found more and more space. Brooks, hugging the right touchline, gliding with the ball at his feet inside his man and he created space to swing in a left-footed cross to the back post for Kieffer Moore who struck the outside of the far post.
Chris Wilder made several more changes as the half went on and it was a couple of his substitutes which combined for a very late winner for the Blades. McCallum did exceptionally well at the left byline to pick out substitute Sydie Peck on the edge of the box, and the young midfielder drilled a shot at goal which was saved but spilled by the Rotherham goalkeeper, only for another sub Louie Marsh to nip in front of his defender and tap home in the 89th minute.
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