By Deadbat
After trailing for over 70 minutes of the contest, Sheffield United had Lee Williamson’s late leveller to thank for a share of the spoils against Derby County at Bramall Lane.
In truth, this was a contest between two poor sides with little football or skill on show all afternoon, despite a good crowd that was buoyed by a healthy following from Derby. Neither set of supporters will have much optimism for the remainder of the season after seeing such dreadful fare amidst the murky conditions.
Derby were the stronger side in the first half, with Kris Commons influential throughout, and took a deserved lead through Robbie Savage’s long-range strike, but the Blades improved after the break and finally, their huffing and puffing paid off right on 90 minutes when Williamson beat Stephen Bywater with a driven shot from just inside the area.
The Blades began with a new defensive partnership, giving home debuts to Nyron Nosworthy and Toni Kallio, and featured Nick Montgomery at right-back. Mark Yeates also made his first start for the Blades, who employed a Henderson-Evans combination up front and Cresswell wide left. Derby started with former Blades Rob Hulse and Michael Tonge.
United started extremely nervously and they nearly went behind in less than three minutes, as a poor free-kick by Stewart saw Commons go past Kallio and centre, only for Hulse to toe-poke just wide. Bunn had to receive treatment as he had collided with Nosworthy and Hulse in the incident but was fit to play on despite an obvious leg problem that left him unable to take goal-kicks.
Derby had certainly started the better side and continued to control the game with Commons’s ability on the ball and creativity causing the United back line real problems.
So it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead, even if the source was unlikely. A throw-in from the left-hand side was not cleared properly by Montgomery and, as the ball dropped, Savage hit it first time past Bunn’s right hand and into the corner.
United struggled to develop any kind of momentum, losing the battles all over the field. Derby were on the attack again soon and Bunn scrambled across his goal to push away Commons shot. The keeper was still clearly struggling and received further treatment when United had a rare attacking moment that led to a corner.
Derby were soon back on the offensive with good work from Pearson and Commons again seeing the latter shoot wide. Savage then took a free-kick after a foul by Nosworthy but the shot was driven into the wall.
United’s poor first-half performance was met with a chorus of boos as they trooped down the tunnel at the interval, but after the break, manager Blackwell opted to stick with the same XI.
The second half at least saw some adventure from the Blades, who tried to get Yeates onto the ball, but the first chance came from Derby. A move down the right saw some clever interchange, and Hulse’s cross was swept just over by Green after more hesitancy in the United defence. Yeates had two efforts on goal, one that flew well wide and another from a free-kick that was just over the bar.
Kallio joined Williamson in the book after a clumsy challenge on Commons. With United still no nearer to a breakthough, Henderson was replaced by Ward. Though they were now having more of the game, the home side were still struggling to create any real chances.
Bunn finally had to be taken off to be replaced by Bennett on the 70-minute mark, and a further attacking change saw Camara on for Evans, and finally a chance of note came not long after.
Stewart’s long-range effort was palmed out by Bywater and, as Camara seemed set to pounce and convert the rebound, Buxton made a goal-saving clearance. Time was running out and, despite winning a number of corners and throw-ins deep in Derby territory, the closest United came was a Cresswell header that went just wide.
As the game entered the five minutes of stoppage time, the Blades at last got the equaliser. Yeates made a run forward and, as the ball broke, Williamson was well placed and took a touch before drilling the ball into the net.
After the celebrations, Untied attacked again and a cross from Williamson was deflected into Bywater’s hands before Quinn drove over, but the Rams held on to earn a point.
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