Blades Draw with Battling Bantams

Last updated : 21 September 2015 By @blades_mad1889

Blades fans await the final whsitle at Valley Parade yesterday.A poor first half performance saw the Blades fall into a one-goal lead by half-time, James Meredith capitalising on a defence error, and shortly after the start of the second half, Devante Cole struck to double the hosts lead. With the game looking lost for United, they were able to claw their way back into the game, Chris Basham applied pressure and Meredith put through his own net. The point was secured when Billy Sharp fired home from the rebound after he initially shot, however there was to be a heart in the mouth moment when, at the last kick of the match, Bradford saw there header cleared off the line.

Having lost their last two matches, Blades boss Nigel Adkins applied changes to his starting line-up with both Reed and McNulty starting in place of Baxter and Sammon. Live in front of the live Sky cameras this Yorkshire Derby was set to be a patient game for the visitors, but it was United who upped the tempo and from the starting blocks won two quick-fire corners and, after captain McEvereley and McArdle clashed in the box, the referee decided against rewarding a penalty in favour of the Bantams.

In an all action packed 15 minutes, McEverley was booked for a foul on Marshall, whilst Edgar was forced into clearing over his own crossbar and Howard saved Hanson's header following Evans crossed free-kick. As the game died down, United began to see more of the ball. A beautiful move involving Reed, Sharp, Campbell-Ryce and McEveley saw McNulty's head the final ball at goal, it looked to dip under the crossbar but Jones was able to collected. On 28 minutes Sharp bundled the ball home, after McNulty cheekily dinked the ball over the top for the former Leeds striker to finish one-on-one, only for the linesman to rule out for offside.

Five minutes later the United defence faltered under pressure. Edgar and Cole challenged on the far post with the former able to head back to keeper Howard, but his pass wasn't true and MEREDITH was able to nip in and beat Howard at a foot race before clipping the ball home in front of the travelling Blades support.

United were up against it, and struggled at times to keep the Bradford attack at bay, but somehow saw half-time without conceding further. Evans came from 25 yards, although on target it lacked pace and Howard easily collected.

Unimpressed by the first half performance, manager Nigel Adkins made a half-time substitution, Craig Alock made a rare appearance, replacing McEverley who looked on the brink of receiving a second yellow card if he wasn't careful, Freeman switched to left full-back to accommodate the oncoming Alcock. But whilst the Blades were busy organising a new back four, Bradford took advantage, and Liddell's ball down the middle saw Edgar attempt to boot clear, but the ball cannoned off COLE and flew past Howard for an unfortunate goal to concede.

During his short tenure at Bramall lane, Adkins has showed that he isn't afraid to change things when it matters, and before the hour mark had bravely used all of his substitutions when he made a double change; losing his wingers Campbell-Ryce and Woolford in place of Sammon and Baxter, going guns blazing with a three pronged attack.

From a corner, Collins headed Baxter's cross well over the crossbar, but moments later United were handed a lifeline. Alcock produced a long throw into the box and under the pressure from Basham, MEREDITH found himself guilty of scoring at both ends, with midfielder Basham wheeling away in celebration.

Sammon fired over the bar from the edge of the box as the Blades finally began to take the upper hand and apply the type of gyle the visitors had long awaited for. At the other end City were denied another penalty shout, when Anderson's cross seemed to have hit Alcock's hand. On 70 minutes, Baxter produced a delicate dinked ball over the defence and SHARP latched onto it, his shot was saved by Jones, but poised himself at the re-bound to fire home to record his fifth goal in the last six outings; 2-2.

The game came to life as Anderson's flicked header was held by Howard and Marshall curled wide, whilst McNulty sliced wide at the other end. In a bizarre move, Phil Parkinson, the Bantams boss made a doubled substitution, replacing Evans and Cole, the two players which caused United the biggest headache of the day, was replaced by Billy Knott and former Blade Andrew Davies. The final ten minutes was tense for both sides, with further drama added was the five minutes of stoppage time where Bradford, almost, netted a winner. Hanson, who had struggled to hit the target all game, launched his header at goal, following a corner, it looked to be hitting the sweet spot, but Baxter somehow was able to head off the line.

It certainly proved to be the last kick of the match as the referee blew for full-time, without allowing City to take the resulting corner.

Bradford City: Jones, Darby, Meredith, Evans (Knott 79), Marshall (James 90), Liddle, Hanson, Burke, McArdle, Anderson, Cole (Davies 79). Unused: Williams, Clarke, Leigh, McMahon.

Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman, Basham, Sharp, McNulty, Collins, Woolford (Baxter 59), McEveley (Freeman 45), Campbell-Ryce (Sammon 59), Reed, Edgar. Unused: Scougall, Higdon, Long, McGahey.