Longford Town 0-1 Sheffield United
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Sheffield United manager brought in eight changes including Billy Sharp who's 14th minute header was enough to ensure a fourth win on the trot during there pre-season campaign.
United soon were on the attack; with the quick pace of Luton Shelton surpassing the Town defence before unleashing a shot wide of the mark.
Chris Lucketti used his defensive skills to good measure as the Irishmen brought on there first attack of the night - Mooney then saw his 20 yard effort collected off the floor by Ian Bennett.
However the Longford back four fell apart on 14th minute when United took the lead, Keith Gillespie floated in an inch perfect cross to the unmarked Sharp who's defiling header flew past a stranded Kelly.
Both sides looked dangerous and Mooney failed to hit the target on several occasions for the home side but it was the Blades Leigh Bromby who would find the next chance. Gillespie again flew in a free-kick and Bromby was unfortunate not to hit the target as it glanced wide.
Geoff Horsfield was sensational upfront but couldn't find any scoring opportunities whilst Matthew Kilgallon saw his header saved from another Gillespie cross. Chris Armstrong, Alan Quinn and Kilgallon all had chances but failed to score in this entertaining game.
And, right on the stroke of half-time Sharp found skill and courage to weave past several Town players to fire a shot which was just palmed away by keeper Kelly.
Shelton then sped down the flank after the brake and substitute keeper Dempsey stopped his effort. Town were then unlucky not to level the score when Mooney's shot cannoned off the inside of the bar and Lucketti desperately cleared when Deegan looked likely to capitalise on an empty net.
Longford flung on a string of attacks late on but failed to score in this entertaining game which saw an attendance of 1,600. The Blades next travel to Portadown.
Longford Town: Kelly (Dempsey h-t), Sullivan, Prunty, Brennan, O'Riordan (Kelly 66), Duffy (Wexler 79), Deegan, Freeman (Lynch 87), Martin (Docherty h-t), Mooney (James 66), Baker (Reilly 9). Unused: Rojas, Kennedy.
Sheffield United: Bennett; Bromby, Lucketti, Kilgallon, Armstrong; Gillespie, Ashmore. A Quinn (Leigertwood 64),Shelton; Horsfield (Naysmith 67), Sharp. Unused: Morgan, Kenny, Stead, Webber, Tonge, Geary.