There was once a point in history when this fixture between the Latics of Oldham and the Blades of Sheffield was a top flight fixture. Between 1991 and 1994, for three consecutive years this was a top flight game with the Blades having won promotion in May 1990 and Athletic the year after from Division Two, United were defeated away from home (2-1) but won the corresponding game 2-0 at home before in August 1992 the Premier League was born.
Sheffield United remained unbeaten during the two Premiership years that they, and Oldham were involved in - in 1992-93 season the Blades won 2-0 at home and drew 1-1 at Oldham. Before sides were unfortunate to suffer relegation in May 1994 and there 1-1 draw towards the end of the season gave either side little comfort in staying up, though United had won earlier on New Years Day, beating their Lancashire rivals 2-1.
Our first eighteen meetings all appeared in the First Division which at the time was the highest prestige in English Football; our first ever fixture came on Boxing Day 1910 at Bramall Lane with Oldham claiming a 2-1 win, whilst later that season (in April) the double was completed at Boundary Park with three goals scored to no reply. United extracted revenge the following season; winning 3-2 (at Oldham) and 4-0 at the Lane.
On 9 November 1985 in a Second Division clash at Boundary Park the Blades celebrated a 5-1 victory (here's hoping that Sheffield United taste a similar victory). Bizarrely, despite both clubs celebrating long histories we have yet to meet one another in any major domestic cup competition.
They have however met in the Zata Systems Cup (aka Full Members Cup); they were drawn against one another at Bramall Lane in the second round on 11 December 1990 at a time when the Blades hadn’t won a single league fixture. Both teams had received a bye and Blades boss Dave Bassett had hoped that this game would ease off league pressure.
He couldn’t be any more right as United road out a massive 7-2 victory – even more impressive was that the hosts were two goals behind within the first ten minutes. A respective low crowd of 3,144 summed up the competition and perhaps showed why it didn’t last a few more years. Ian Bryson netted twice, his first coming on 29 minutes, whilst Jamie Hoyland, Paul Beesley and Brian Deane scored goals before Peter Duffield, a 86thminute substitute netted twice to complete the rout. United’s life in this competition was short lived as Manchester City won 2-0 at the Lane in round three. The competition would last just one more year before it was abandoned and its seven year existence was no more.
6 August 2011 - Oldham Athletic 0 Sheffield United 2
Danny Wilson enjoyed the perfect start to his Sheffield United managerial career as two goals in six second-half minutes secured a 2-0 victory over Oldham at Boundary Park. Goals from young defender Harry Maguire and striker Richard Cresswell were enough to clinch three points for the visitors. The home side started brightly and soon began to take control of the match, Reuben Reid testing Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen from just outside the area after four minutes.
The former Everton man was again called into action in the 20th minute, denying striker Mathieu Smith's close-range header. Centre-half Jean Yves Mvoto was next to go close for Dickov's men, but he failed to hit the target after meeting Matthew Lund's corner with his head. Smith's second opportunity of the game four minutes before the interval again forced a save from Simonsen, who ensured the first half ended goalless.United made an excellent start to the second half and delighted their boistorous travelling support by going ahead three minutes after the restart. Stephen Quinn's outswinging corner found 18-year-old Maguire and his superb header gave Alex Cisak no chance.
Oldham's second-half collapse continued as the visitors took advantage of some shambolic defending to go two in front. Quinn was again the provider, finding himself in acres of space down the left-hand side before putting in a superb ball for Cresswell to finish from six yards. The home side rallied but struggled to create any clear-cut chances.
3 March 2012 - Sheffield United 2 Oldham Athletic 3
Former Sheffield Wednesday striker Shefki Kuqi scored an injury-time winner from the penalty spot as Oldham completed an unlikely comeback to triumph 3-2 at Sheffield United. The Blades were coasting following first-half goals from Matt Lowton and Ched Evans before Richard Cresswell scored an own goal and Kieran Lee equalised for the visitors. Kuqi's penalty came after Harry Maguire hauled down Reuben Reid. Lowton grabbed the opening goal after 22 minutes, tapping in from close-range after Evans won the ball and played it across the face of goal.
Evans made it 2-0 seven minutes before half-time, drilling a low shot beyond Alex Cisak from the right-hand side of the area for his 22nd goal of the season. Blades skipper Michael Doyle struck a post with a 20-yard effort before Cresswell headed the ball into his own net following a Filipe Morais corner in the 65th minute. Two minutes later, Lowton was sent-off when he received a second yellow card for a late challenge on James Tarkowski.
Lee quickly made it 2-2 with a fine shot from the right-hand side of the area after 69 minutes. Maguire's foul on Reid at the death, which resulted in Kuqi's winning penalty, also saw the defender sent-off.
13 October 2012 - Sheffield United 1 Oldham Athletic 1
Oldham substitute Matt Smith struck seven minutes into injury time to rescue a point for his side in a 1-1 draw at unbeaten Sheffield United. Smith side-footed past Blades' teenagen goalkeeper George Long right at the death after Nick Blackman had put the home side ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half. Oldham full-back Jonathan Grounds thought he had fired Oldham in front after 19 minutes but the former Middlesbrough man's follow-up to Robbie Simpson's parried shot was ruled out for offside.
United came out fired up for the second half and after captain Michael Doyle unleashed a rasping effort, which was tipped around the post by Oldham goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, Blackman coolly stroked in his sixth goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after Jean-Yves M'voto was adjudged to have tugged Dave Kitson's shirt.
Striker Matt Derbyshire was denied an equaliser by Long after 65 minutes before Blades winger Ryan Flynn wasted the opportunity to seal the game when he slotted wide when through on goal three minutes from the end. Danny Wilson's side were then made to pay when striker Smith slotted in Jose Baxter's inswinging cross.
2 March 2013 - Oldham Athletic 0 Sheffield United 2 (By Sheffield Star)
Sheffield United swept to victory at Boundary Park with goals from Michael Doyle and Dave Kitson. Danny Wilson and captain Doyle had reminded beforehand that United would have to be at their very best to ensure a shock did not ensue. Kitson nearly gave them the perfect start when he hunted down Cisak and forced the goalkeeper to concede a throw-in but, when both Robson and Doyle failed to control passes which bounced waist-height, it became clear the playing surface was another hurdle to overcome.
Wilson, making his 100th competitive appearance in the United dug-out, was returning to the scene of his first. That match, nearly two years ago, had ended in victory thanks to goals from Maguire and Cresswell. But, as Smith's last gasp equaliser for Athletic at Bramall Lane five months ago demonstrated, Doyle was right to remind that the hosts "would never give up." Simpson's 32nd minute free-kick sailed over Long's crossbar and, as Oldham gathered momentum, Doyle was cautioned for a trip. Simpson followed in the 34th for a hard but seemingly fair challenge on Flynn. Maguire's toe poke, from Robson's sweeping delivery, was duly palmed away by Cisak when play resumed.
The half meandered to a close with Doyle miscuing following Kitson's 43rd minute cut-back although McMahon did see a powerful drive deflected behind for a corner. Robson turned his ankle in the 49th minuted but recovered. Kitson flicked Robson's pass into space soon after but Poleon did not interpret the move. No matter as, in the 56th minute, he was involved in the move that saw DOYLE break the deadlock.
Tarkowski slipped trying to make a clearance, Poleon seized his chance and forced Cisak to parry after bursting through but United's captain converted the rebound via a post. Attacking the 2,591 strong away support behind Cisak's net, United saw McDonald cautioned for a foul. Long was forced to make a smart double save when Croft, from an acute angle, followed up Smith's shot on the turn. KITSON, in the 86th minute, made no mistake when his towering header from McMahon's free-kick doubled United's lead.
26 December 2013 - Sheffield United 1 Oldham Athletic 1 (By deadbat_db)
Sheffield United's recent improvements were not in evidence as a poor performance at the Lane on Boxing Day saw United only take a point against fellow strugglers Oldham. United were never really at it all game and needed a slight improvement in the second half from a wretched first half to take a draw after they had conceded early thanks to Clarke Harris’ flicked header. Former Latic Jose Baxter continued his recent hot streak with a thunder bolt of a free kick but after this United never really built on gaining parity and the game ended in a fair result with neither side doing quite enough to win it. United were unchanged from the draw at Stevenage and seemed to be going with threecentre backs once again. Oldham had former Blade Connor Brown at right back but were without the injured Danny Philliskirk. United began the game slowly and lost several loose balls and this uncertainty was penalised as the visitors were quick out of the blocks and into an early lead. After both Miller and McGinn gave the ball away, the ball was transferred to the right and Rooney’s dangerous cross saw CLARKE HARRIS get in front of thecentre backs and flicked home expertly with his head giving Long no chance.
United had been poor and their sluggishness continued with the forwards unable to hold the ball up and the midfield losing the early battle.White took a nasty knock and had to be helped off and in the circumstances surely curtailed his loan spell at the Lane. Murphy came on and Hill went back to left back as United went with a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation. United were nearly two down as after more poor play saw the ball given away Smith’s low drive was only parried by Long and Clarke Harris slammed home but fortunately for United the assistant referee’s flag came to United’s rescue. The crowd were becoming frustrated and United were not even looking like testing the Oldham rearguard. Porter’s poor touch was becoming a feature as the ball kept bouncing back into the middle of the field but in truth Miller in an unfamiliar wide right position was no better. The midfield could not get hold of the ball and it seemed United were not able to keep it for more than one pass so poor they had been! Oldham had been sharper and looked more dangerous going forward albeit playing on the break more since they had gained the breakthrough. The half time whistle came amidst boos from the terraces as United’s desperately disappointing performance was given exactly what it deserved.
After the break United immediately showed more urgency and started to at least win the occasional loose ball and tackle. Still they were not creating much with Oxley still under employed. Indeed Oldham went the closest as Long held well from a driven free kick from Smith. Porter won an innocuous free kick after he was adjudged to have been held but it was still at least 30 yards away from goal. It had looked as if McMahon was going to take the set play but BAXTER stepped up and hit a tremendous drilled effort which flashed into the net away from the despairing dive of Oxley. To his credit he did not celebrate wildly giving respect to his former club. United had a sense of momentum and Collins headed wide when well positioned at a corner before McMahon wrongly opted to come inside and shoot with his wrong foot but Oxley’s spill was not capitalised on and Oldham cleared.
Still despite the growth in United’s performance, Oldham were not sitting back completely and after Long spilt a routine cross, Hill had to hoof clear. The game was evenly poised but both sides lacked quality to open each other up. Rooney was nearly in but Long saved at his feet as the crowd became restless again. Finally changes came with the substitute Murphy being subbed being replaced by Flynn and Taylor coming on for the disappointing Miller. They had little time to make an impact with the clock winding down. There was an additional 4 minutes of stoppage time and Baxter was close to winning it for United as his deflected effort hit the base of the post and then was scrambled behind for a corner. From the resultant corner the ball fizzed across and both Porter and Flynn were too slow to react and could not convert from close range and the ball was kicked away. United had been poor but had these late chances at the death to win it. It was Oldham who finished on the attack just before the final whistle to end a disappointing performance from the home side.
RESULTS
| 26 Dec 1910 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | L | 1-2 | League Division One |
| 17 Apr 1911 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 02 Sep 1911 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 2-3 | League Division One |
| 30 Dec 1911 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 4-0 | League Division One |
| 07 Sep 1912 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | D | 1-1 | League Division One |
| 28 Dec 1912 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 15 Nov 1913 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 1-2 | League Division One |
| 21 Mar 1914 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 05 Dec 1914 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 06 Mar 1915 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | D | 0-0 | FA Cup |
| 13 Mar 1915 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 3-0 | FA Cup |
| 10 Apr 1915 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 08 Nov 1919 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 15 Nov 1919 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 4-0 | League Division One |
| 18 Dec 1920 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | D | 0-0 | League Division One |
| 01 Jan 1921 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 3-0 | League Division One |
| 18 Feb 1922 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 0-2 | League Division One |
| 25 Feb 1922 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 1-0 | League Division One |
| 18 Nov 1922 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | D | 2-2 | League Division One |
| 25 Nov 1922 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 0-2 | League Division One |
| 22 Sep 1934 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 3-2 | League Division Two |
| 02 Feb 1935 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-1 | League Division Two |
| 27 Dec 1976 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 1-2 | League Division Two |
| 05 Apr 1977 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-1 | League Division Two |
| 12 Nov 1977 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 1-0 | League Division Two |
| 17 Dec 1977 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 3-0 | League Division Two |
| 21 Oct 1978 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 4-2 | League Division Two |
| 03 Mar 1979 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 | League Division Two |
| 08 Sep 1984 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | D | 2-2 | League Division Two |
| 12 Feb 1985 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-0 | League Division Two |
| 09 Nov 1985 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 1-5 | League Division Two |
| 12 Apr 1986 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-0 | League Division Two |
| 01 Jan 1987 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 3-1 | League Division Two |
| 18 Apr 1987 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-0 | League Division Two |
| 12 Sep 1987 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 3-2 | League Division Two |
| 02 Jan 1988 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | L | 0-5 | League Division Two |
| 26 Sep 1989 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-1 | League Division Two |
| 28 Mar 1990 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 0-2 | League Division Two |
| 11 Dec 1990 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 7-2 | Zenith Data Systems Cup |
| 07 Sep 1991 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 04 Apr 1992 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-0 | League Division One |
| 22 Feb 1993 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-0 | Premier League |
| 13 Apr 1993 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 01 Jan 1994 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-1 | Premier League |
| 03 May 1994 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 01 Oct 1994 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-0 | League Division 1 |
| 25 Feb 1995 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | D | 3-3 | League Division 1 |
| 26 Aug 1995 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | L | 2-1 | League Division 1 |
| 03 Feb 1996 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | W | 2-1 | League Division 1 |
| 07 Sep 1996 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 0-2 | League Division 1 |
| 28 Dec 1996 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | D | 2-2 | League Division 1 |
| 06 Aug 2011 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 0-2 | League One |
| 03 Mar 2012 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | L | 2-3 | League One |
| 13 Oct 2012 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | D | 1-1 | League One |
| 02 Mar 2013 | Oldham Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 0-2 | League One |
| 26 Dec 2013 | Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic | D | 1-1 | League One |