Cambridge United vs. Sheffield United

Last updated : 07 December 2013 By @blades_mad1889

Sheffield United and Cambridge United have never met professionally in the FA Cup since its creation; in fact they have only ever met each other once in a league season. This was during the 1978/79 Second Division campaign were on 30 December they drew 3-3 at Bramall Lane before the U's won by a single goal on 5 May. It had been a hard season for the Blades with it ending in relegation whilst the U's finished 12th.

Four times cup winners Sheffield United have had a terrible season to date but they booked a place in round two after winning 3-2 at Colchester United. Chris Porter's late penalty sent Sheffield United through to the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-2 win, despite a stirring second-half comeback by Colchester. The Blades struck twice in the space of two early first-half minutes. Harry Maguire headed Tony McMahon's free-kick into the far corner of the net, in the 10th minute. And the Blades doubled their lead when Porter closed down Magnus Okuonghae's attempted pass and delivered a cross-shot which flicked in off Tom Eastman, despite keeper Sam Walker's attempts to keep it out.

Matt Hill struck the crossbar for the visitors and Sheffield United were the better side in the first half. But Colchester reduced the deficit three minutes after the break when Macauley Bonne headed in after Clinton Morrison had flicked on Luke Garbutt's delivery. And Garbutt drove in a superb low shot from 25 yards from Brian Wilson's throw to equalise just after the hour. But after Okuonghae was adjudged to have handled Maguire's header in the area, Porter netted from the spot to send the Blades through.

In the league the Blades are narrowly out of the relegation zone if only on goal difference thanks to Stevenage's 3-1 home defeat to Shrewsbury last Saturday whilst the Blades returned from East London with a point after drawing 1-1 at Leyton Orient. The visitors had shocked their opponents by taking the lead after 67 minutes when shoddy home defending saw the unmarked Conor Coady left with a simple chance to stab the ball into the net from 10 yards. The O's fought back and deservedly levelled when Dean Cox collected a pass from the right and sent a wonderful volley into the net from 20 yards.

Blades goalkeeper George Long had kept his side on level terms before the break with two excellent saves to deny Nathan Clarke and David Mooney had earlier squandered the best chance. Having been put through by midfielder Cox, Orient's leading striker failed to find the target from 12 yards, screwing his effort hopelessly wide of the far post. The visitors offered little in the first half but showed more commitment going forward after the interval as the quality of the game improved with Chris Porter extending Jamie Jones. But it was left to Long to produce the last save of the match when clawing away a Mooney header deep into added time.

Aidan White, currently on loan from Yorkshire rivals Leeds United was prevented from playing in the first round and is unlikely to be granted permission this time round - Conor Coady (Liverpool) and Simon Lappin (Cardiff City) should feature. Meanwhile the Blades will be without former Middlesbrough full-back Anthony McMahon who picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient last weekend and will serve a one match suspension this Sunday.

Blades boss Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Sheffield; "The way we've approached our recent games away from home gives us encouragement because we've made it difficult for the opposition. We won't be resting anyone and we'll be making the players aware that this will be as hard as any League One game. They're a solid side at that level and I think if they were in League Two I'd expect them to be competing in the top 10. We can't take them lightly because they've only lost one game all season."

Cambridge, who are currently top of the Skrill Conference have had to battle hard in the cup in order to reach round two. They won by a single goal at Needham Market in the Qualifying round before facing league side Bury. Their initial game on 9 November was postponed at Gigg Lane due to a waterlogged pitch and the game called to be replayed on the 19th with the match ending 0-0.

With only days remaining until this fixture the reply was finally played out and a winner decided to face the Blades, and was done so in dramatic fashion. Luke Berry netted twice for the hosts, his second coming four minutes from time has they looked to make heavy whether of their League Two opponents. They had started the better and Kwesi Appiah squandered a good opportunity when he blasted over from a narrow angle.

Liam Hughes saw a free-kick deflected wide and Craig Jones had his header cleared off the line by Ian Miller. The deadlock was broke on 61 minutes, Berry exchanged passes with Harrison Dunk before firing past Brian Jensen. However there joy was short-lived when the visitors were level shortly after - Shaun Harrard hit Andy Proctor's cross into the top corner of the goal. The Shakers came close to winning the tie, Danny Hylton seeing his header beat keeper Jones but not the crossbar and with minutes remaining the game was over when Berry nodded home; 2-1.

U's boss Richard Money (who won the European Cup with Liverpool in 1981) is expected to see duo Ryan Donaldson (ankle) and Tom Elliott (hamstring) return to full fitness but are expected to not be risked. Meanwhile keeper Jason Brown should make his first appearance for his new club, but only on the bench.

Blades-Mad Prediction: Cambridge United 0 Sheffield United 2