By Deadbat
Sheffield United finished off 2011 with their eighth consecutive win, comfortably seeing off Hartlepool at Bramall Lane.
Three first-half goals from Ryan Flynn, Chris Porter and Ched Evans made the game safe before the interval. The Blades coasted through the second half, with only poor finishing and good goalkeeping preventing a more impressive scoreline. A late consolation from Peter Hartley with the last kick of the game gave the visitors some consolation for an improved second half but the result was never in doubt.
United had to make changes with Quinn and Cresswell suspended, bringing in Williamson and Porter with Beattie among the substitutes. Danny Philliskirk had a rare chance on the bench. Hartlepool were watched by their new manager, Neale Cooper, for the first time but first-team coach Micky Barron picked the side that included numerous South Yorkshire connections. Former Blade Evan Horwood started, as did United fan and ex-Owl Ritchie Humphries and former Miller Andy Monkhouse. The visitors had been very successful away from home and included firepower and experience on their bench in James Brown, Adam Boyd and the veteran Nobby Solano.
The Blades began very strongly and forced three early corners, with Hartlepool scrambling the final one clear. United were well on top with Lowton getting forward at every opportunity and Evans looking lively, and the early pressure was rewarded with a goal after 12 minutes. McDonald had nearly played in Evans but as the ball dropped, Flynn worked a yard of space just outside the box before hitting a firm, low shot beyond Flinders’s right hand.
Hartley was then booked for a clumsy foul on Evans and the Welsh striker fired just wide from the subsequent free-kick from around 30 yards. Good industry from Flynn saw him win a tackle and this led to another chance for Evans, who fired his shot just past the post.
United were playing with pace and purpose and it was not long before they doubled their advantage from an excellently worked team goal. The build-up began on the left-hand side, with Doyle feeding Evans, whose back-heel released the overlapping Flynn. The Scottish winger hit a perfect cross that Porter stooped to head home at the far post.
The visitors had not really created anything of note until a strange moment when Lowton sliced a cross that hit his own bar via Simonsen. It would have been a goal out of the blue but it was not long before United continued to assert their authority on the game. Doyle and Williamson combined to feed Lowton, who sent over a lovely low cross that was turned in by Evans.
The new Hartlepool management team had seen enough and made two changes for the beginning of the second half, with Brown and Boyd giving them a more attacking lineup, in place of Baldwin and Murray. The visitors forced a few early corners but these came to nothing before Horwood drove a free-kick wide. United still looked dangerous and McDonald played in Evans, whose cross really ought to have been converted by Porter, who inexplicably fired over with the goal at his mercy. From the next attack, Flynn cut in and his cross cum shot was palmed away by Flinders.
After an injury sustained in the first half, Lowton replaced by Ertl, who went straight to right-back. Soon after, a marauding run by Evans took him away from two defenders but his cross somehow evaded everyone in the box with just a touch being required.
The crowd had been singing his name and finally Danny Wilson brought on the returning hero, James Beattie, who replaced Porter with just over 10 minutes to play. Beattie played in Evans with a neat flick but as United’s leading scorer went round the keeper, he lost his footing.
As the game entered injury time, some sloppy defending from a corner resulted in the ball falling to Hartley, who fired under Simonsen. The visiting fans celebrated as if it was the winning goal, but it was difficult to deny them some jubilation at the end of a miserable afternoon.
United had to make changes with Quinn and Cresswell suspended, bringing in Williamson and Porter with Beattie among the substitutes. Danny Philliskirk had a rare chance on the bench. Hartlepool were watched by their new manager, Neale Cooper, for the first time but first-team coach Micky Barron picked the side that included numerous South Yorkshire connections. Former Blade Evan Horwood started, as did United fan and ex-Owl Ritchie Humphries and former Miller Andy Monkhouse. The visitors had been very successful away from home and included firepower and experience on their bench in James Brown, Adam Boyd and the veteran Nobby Solano.
The Blades began very strongly and forced three early corners, with Hartlepool scrambling the final one clear. United were well on top with Lowton getting forward at every opportunity and Evans looking lively, and the early pressure was rewarded with a goal after 12 minutes. McDonald had nearly played in Evans but as the ball dropped, Flynn worked a yard of space just outside the box before hitting a firm, low shot beyond Flinders’s right hand.
Hartley was then booked for a clumsy foul on Evans and the Welsh striker fired just wide from the subsequent free-kick from around 30 yards. Good industry from Flynn saw him win a tackle and this led to another chance for Evans, who fired his shot just past the post.
United were playing with pace and purpose and it was not long before they doubled their advantage from an excellently worked team goal. The build-up began on the left-hand side, with Doyle feeding Evans, whose back-heel released the overlapping Flynn. The Scottish winger hit a perfect cross that Porter stooped to head home at the far post.
The visitors had not really created anything of note until a strange moment when Lowton sliced a cross that hit his own bar via Simonsen. It would have been a goal out of the blue but it was not long before United continued to assert their authority on the game. Doyle and Williamson combined to feed Lowton, who sent over a lovely low cross that was turned in by Evans.
The new Hartlepool management team had seen enough and made two changes for the beginning of the second half, with Brown and Boyd giving them a more attacking lineup, in place of Baldwin and Murray. The visitors forced a few early corners but these came to nothing before Horwood drove a free-kick wide. United still looked dangerous and McDonald played in Evans, whose cross really ought to have been converted by Porter, who inexplicably fired over with the goal at his mercy. From the next attack, Flynn cut in and his cross cum shot was palmed away by Flinders.
After an injury sustained in the first half, Lowton replaced by Ertl, who went straight to right-back. Soon after, a marauding run by Evans took him away from two defenders but his cross somehow evaded everyone in the box with just a touch being required.
The crowd had been singing his name and finally Danny Wilson brought on the returning hero, James Beattie, who replaced Porter with just over 10 minutes to play. Beattie played in Evans with a neat flick but as United’s leading scorer went round the keeper, he lost his footing.
As the game entered injury time, some sloppy defending from a corner resulted in the ball falling to Hartley, who fired under Simonsen. The visiting fans celebrated as if it was the winning goal, but it was difficult to deny them some jubilation at the end of a miserable afternoon.
How many of these players will be left at the end of January ?
Posted by: Frank Turner | Sunday, 01 January 2012 at 09:54