In a game of little quality and few chances, United hold the edge after a relatively even game. The Blades had two decent first half appeals for penalties whilst Yeovil had appeals of their own in the second half. United now have to hope their outstanding defensive record stands up in the second leg if they are to return to Wembley for the second successive year.
United began with Darryl Westlake remaining at right back as Tony McMahon was still not fit. Caretaker manager Chris Morgan also opted to start with Barry Robson on the right and paired Porter and Kitson up top. On the bench it was mostly young players alongside veteran Danny Higginbotham. Yeovil’s three injury doubts were all fit to take their place in defence in a side that featured high scoring front man Paddy Madden who had scored a double at the Lane earlier in the season.
Early on Robson was involved with a cross that Kitson mistimed his header and then the former Celtic midfielder was fouled but his free kick was just off target going past Stech’s near post. Yeovil had offered little going forward and United controlled the early proceedings but were struggling themselves to create many clear cut chances and it was becoming a battle between two centre backs of considerable size against the physical Kitson and Porter. After a ball into the box United did have an appeal for a spot kick and McDonald looked at the referee after Burn appeared to grab his shirt but referee Atwell played on.
Porter headed over from a corner and then after the ball was transferred back into the box from a free kick it dropped nicely for Murphy but he fired badly over the bar when he ought to have done better. Robson tried to get in front of his man but McCallister checked his run and seemed to use an elbow to block him off.
After the earlier challenge and penalty appeal Robson could not continue as he seemed in some pain. He was replaced by youngster McFadzean. Soon after Kitson was booked for persistent fouling. Yeovil finally had a half chance when Dawson fired wide and then Edwards had a shot blocked. McAllister’s tackle on Westlake was rash and saw him go into the book. He was perhaps fortunate still to be on the field after the indiscretion earlier in the game on Robson surely should have seen some action also.
The second half began and it was not long before the home fans were celebrating as Murphy finally got down the wing and was able to pull the ball back. MCFADZEAN got in front of his man to meet the cross and managed to hit a first time shot that deflected off Burn onto the post and trickled over the line. It was a massive relief to the home fans who could finally celebrate a goal after three games without one. It was the first goal for the home grown McFadzean who celebrated in front of the Kop with his teammates.
Yeovil responded and a shot came in from Upson that Long pushed out as it moved in the air and then the offside flag thwarted Hayter who lifted the ball into the net after the flag was raised. Doyle’s wild lunge got him into the referee’s book but soon after McFadzean’s emerging confidence was in evidence when a smart turn took him inside the full back and he cut inside and hit a shot that was well saved by Stech. The rebound fell to Hill who sliced badly off target.
McFadzean linked well with Murphy who fired just wide after an excellent run inside and shot. Madden then had a half chance as his header looped goalwards but Collins headed away over his own bar taking no chances as it looped across the box. A half hearted appeal against McFadzean for handball was waved away soon after. It was an even contest and the away side were now creating chances. Ironside came on for Kitson but Webster’s header was well saved down low by Long. United then nearly got in Ironside as McDonald’s class was coming to the fore more.
Maguire clumsily cleared with stronger appeals for a penalty from the visiting fans and not long after this Maguire was booked for a tussle prior to a corner. As the game entered the final stages, Webster hooked the ball over his head but Long smartly tipped over for a corner. Right at the death Whitehouse came on for Porter as the game went into an additional 4 minutes of stoppage time. The game ended with both sides probably pleased and the contest still very much well alive.
United – It was better than some of the recent games but not by much. At least there was some energy and effort at times. It was a pretty poor game between two poor sides. Both sides could barely control nor pass the ball and chances were few and far between. We should have had a pen first half (two shouts) but they had a few possibles second half. Outside of this in general play we shaded it maybe in terms of possession and chances but we did not make the keeper work enough. First half we were too slow and predictable and never really got the wide man into the game. The front two did not quite do enough and overall it was a bit scrappy but Murphy had a good chance as did Kitson with a few half chances from headers. In the second half we scored early and then we started to believed more and the wide men had a go (did not always come off but they at least got down the wing and got crosses over). Porter put himself about and McDonald became more and more influential. I felt we really ought to have capitalised on their hesitancy and gone for the jugular but only had a few more chances (McFadzean and Murphy) but it kind of faded away after this. They maybe had the better chances as the game went on at the end and we started to retreat for some reason.
Yeovil then came back and had a decent spell and a few half chances as United started to sit back and almost settle for 1-0 (which I believe could be fatal) and just kind of waited for full time. There were some positives (Long, McDonald, Maguire and better second half from the wingers) and the defence kept a clean sheet but we will have to do better with the ball and be smarter in key areas Monday to advance as I feel Yeovil will play much better.
Overall, I would have taken 1-0 but I still feel we may just duck out Monday just due to the fact Yeovil have more goals in them than us. Hope I am wrong but despite the win tonight I have not seen enough that this side can get promoted (by winning or failing to lose in 3 games). We are very ordinary and believe that our inability to score goals will outweigh the strength at the other end where they can’t rely on keeping clean sheets for a further two games.
Yeovil – I have to say that I thought they were quite poor tonight and I expected more in terms of football played. Sure they had a bit of a go when they went 1-0 down but overall I felt they were a side that were for the taking (in terms of beating them 2 or 3 nil and sealing the tie). I thought overall they will be pleased to get out at just 1-0. I did not think they showed much fluidity, skill on the ball nor really got at us but they did work hard and closed United down for much of the game. However more than this I felt they looked susceptible at the back. We did not really take advantage.
They had two slow, cumbersome centre backs that were so immobile that even Porter looked quicker than them. They also had a right back Aying who looked very slow too and I felt they could be got at. In midfield it was fairly even but we got better as the game went on and Doyle and McDonald were more influential. Up front Hayter and Madden were never really a threat and whilst they had a few half chances from headers or flicks from scrambles I never felt they blew us away. I thought they were sloppy on the ball most of the game and overall they looked a much different side from the one that won so comfortably at the Lane earlier in the season and much of their performance relied on work ethic rather than them knocking it about or creating much.
I am sure they will be a different side Monday and I fear they may go up a gear in all areas. They will probably score so we will have to respond. If we go there and defend it will not work. Just hope now the pressure is on them somewhat we can take advantage and score on the break.
Long 7/10 – Had little to do in the first half and as the game went on his work did not really increase apart from kicking away. He did make one smart save from a header in the second half low down and then made a good reaction save from the Webster overhead kick. Spilt one shot but at least he kept it out. A few crosses he did not call or dithered on but other than that he was sound.
Westlake 6/10 – I am still not convinced by him. Defensively he gets in awful positions and seems miles off his man at times. He is slow to react defensively and also does not do the basics well enough. He kept taking free kicks but most were aimless or straight to the keeper. He does get up and down more than McMahon but I am unsure whether he is much of an upgrade; if at all.
Hill 7/10 – Another real steady eddy performance. Made blocks, clearances and did what he had to. Reads the game well, rarely got outmuscled and just does the basics and does them well. No flash but surprisingly consistent at what he does. He never will be scintillating but very rarely less than a 7/10.
Maguire 7/10 – He had a mad spell for 5 minutes where he miss controlled and nearly let them in and then miskicked again but other than that he was solid. He was strong and first to the ball. He won most challenges and really limited Madden who was mostly ineffectual. At times he looked a notch above many other players in the way he read things and was able to use his body to shield and prevent danger in the second half when they tried to up things but still too many errors.
Collins 7/10 – Once he backed off and nearly let them in as his lack of pace/mobility showed but other than that he was solid. He won headers and also led the line well until the final 20 minutes or so when for some reason we kept dropping deeper and deeper and he was often the one the furthest back. If United are to progress to the final it is vital that he and Maguire keep the front two quiet again.
Robson – Played for the first period of the game and did try and get on the ball. Put in a few dangerous crosses with Kitson just off target and a corner that was cleared. He then got knocked off the ball quite cynically. It did seem innocuous at the time but obviously having seen it back it was clear it was a deliberate penalty and an elbow. Probably the last we will see of him in a United shirt if he has broken ribs.
Doyle 6/10 – A weird game. At times he was simply awful with some wretched short passed, some awful headers up in the air mixed with some terrible touches. Then other times he got in won the ball, controlled midfield and allowed us to have large spells of possession (early on in the second half). His performance as best summed up when he won the ball by darting in front on a player in the second half and then sliced terrible wide. As bad as he is most of the time, we probably need him to have a decent game in the second leg as we still have no one else that can do what he does in terms of being combative and breaking things up.
McDonald 8/10 – First half he was so-so and seemed to fluctuate in and out of the game but after the break he got stronger and seemed to dominate proceedings. He looked like the McDonald of last season as he got on the ball, looked stronger than ever and made things happen. He was excellent and most good things we did came from him getting on the ball and moving it around the pitch. He tried to play balls wide and also through the middle and whilst everything did not always come off; he at least tried to be positive. Another who needs to repeat this form on Monday.
Kitson 5/10 – Thought he continued the poor form he has shown in many of the recent games I have seen. He still was looking for free kicks or arguing with the referee. He got booked after committing 4 or 5 fouls and seemed behind the play most of the time. He did not win many headers and the only half chance he had he headed wide. Taken off second half for Ironside. At the moment he looks like a player who is on his last legs. Hopefully somehow he can have one last flourish for the second leg as whilst Ironside is game there does not look like a goal threat.
Porter 7.5/10 – To be truthful he did not do much on the ball and was never really a threat for goals but he worked incredibly hard against two ‘lumps’ at the back. He never stopped all game and kept challenging, niggling at them and really working them over. This led to chances as the game developed and led to gaps opening.
Murphy 7/10 – First half he was poor and he never really looked a threat. He kept continually coming inside and looked bereft of idea or conviction. However something seemed to click second half and he started going at his full back. He made the goal by such attacking intent and a clever pull back and had a few other darts at his defender. He then had a great effort that just past the pas the post. A more encouraging second half performance where he finally woke up and started to get defenders going the other way.
Subs
McFadzean 7.5/10 – He did not really get in the game first half but second half he got across the defender and whilst his shot took a defection at least he had a go and it paid off. After this he started to relax and used the ball better and was more patient. He then had a lovely turn and got inside the full back and had a good shot that was well saved. He was involved in some of the other better moments we had and it was an encouraging second half. Both he and Murphy at least showed something second half.
Ironside – Came on for a tiring Kitson but never really got into the game and actually did not win many headers and was behind the play much of the time. Still feel he will be needed on Monday as not sure Porter/Kitson have 90 minutes in them.
Whitehouse – Brought on right at the end for Porter as the game went into stoppage time.
Officials – I actually thought that Stuart Atwell refereed it fairly well. I still think the spot kick on McDonald would have been harsh as yes it was a shirt pull but it was not enough for me. The second one on Robson at the time I did not think was either but of course having seen back on Sky it clearly was a blatant elbow and a penalty. The two for them for me were mixed. The one on McFadzean would have been harsh but the Maguire one could have been given as he played it onto his own arm (regardless of intent) . Overall he let a lot go but that was good as he wanted the game to flow. He booked McCallister (the same man who committed the foul on Robson) for a bad foul on Westlake (he did enough to be sent off twice really). McDonald had done a bad foul just before this tackle that was as bad that was not seen! Outside of this; he oddly booked Maguire for a nothing tussle on a corner late on, rightly booked Doyle and booked Kitson for persistent fouling. Over the course of the rest of the game he did try and let things flow and despite some of our crowd appealing for things, I felt he was fair both ways much of the contest.
Crowd - A disappointing crowd but not surprising. A sign of things to come for messrs McCabe and co for next season if we fail to go up. The fact a fair few who were probably regulars or season ticket holders did not go says it all about what they thought of the state of the club and the future outlook, both short and long term. United fans tried to get behind the team but there was nervousness on the terraces and when the likes of Doyle kept failing to do basic things the groans were clearly audible. I do think the football served up both tonight and much of the season has been poor and for the most part maintain fans have been patient but overall they did try and keep with them this evening. Yeovil brought maybe 1,500 and their fans were loud and passionate but I think even they saw it was two pretty poor sides they were watching.
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