Wanderers Turned Over By Brave Blades

Last updated : 02 October 2002 By @blades_mad1889

The Blades came very close within seconds of kick-off, only 11 seconds had gone when Jagielka's shot fired just wide of Martin Taylor's goal.

Wanderers had a chance on goal when a Michael Simpson swung dangerously towards goal but was safely cleared by Tonge.

United had a string of free-kicks, one was headed just over bar by Wayne Allison.

However, the Blades took the lead just after fourteen minutes, Michael Brown set up Unitedite Michael Boulding who's drilling right foot shot beat the keeper from eighteen yards out.

Neither side had any real goal scoring chances but United did have several corners and free-kicks which came to nothing.

Half-Time: Sheffield United 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers

After the break the fun and games began for Sheffield United, only two minutes had ticked on the clock when Boulding's superb assisted pass found Michael Brown who comfortably put away from six yards out to make it 2-0.

2-0 down and Wycombe tried to get straight back in it, Dannie Bulman shot wide a minute after goal.

On the hour mark The Chairboys made three substitutions, Roger Johnson off for Richard Harris, Darren Currie off for Steve Brown and Stuart Roberts off for Sean Devine, all tactical.

Neither side any any chances at all, Peter Ndlovu came on for Michael Boulding after 73 minutes for Blades.

Two minutes later United should have made it three, nil when Ndlovu got the better of keeper Taylor and side passed to Allison who finished, however as Nuddy crossed Taylor was judged to be out of the box and handled the ball, Martin Pike had no other choice than to send Martin Taylor off.

Wycombe had ex-United keeper Frank Talia on the bench but Wanderers had used all their substitutes and was forced to put Steve Brown in goal.

United kept back and defended while counter-attacking, Nick Montgomery came on for Phil Jagielka (80 minutes). Moments later Ndlovu's shot was blocked by Senda. Laurens Ten Heuvel then came on for Jon-Paul McGovern.

It did not take Nick Montgomery to make his mark on the game, Michael Tonge's trademark runs ended up with Tonge setting up Nick Montgomery and with the goal begging he coolly finished.

United quickly made it four when another Tonge run set up Michael Brown who put ball in top right hand corner.

With United 4-0 up their was no chance of a come back by the visitors but they did manage a consolation goal, Michael Simpson crossed on left wing and Paul McCarthy's low header found bottom corner.

Full-Time: Sheffield United 4-1 Wycombe Wanderers

Man of the Match: Difficult one to give when you could not go to the game, Michael Tonge had a good game and does deserve, but as does Micael Brown.

Brown has not had any good game a late and has been taking a little stick for it and to come back and score two goals (even if it is against a Division 2 side) will hopefully boost his confidence.

It is for that reason that I will award Man of the Match award to both Michael Brown and Michael Tonge.