Sheffield United 4-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Tuesday, 27th August 1996
Steel City Challenge
Venue: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 7,271
Referee: Uriah Rennie
| SHEFFIELD UNITED | 4 (2) |
| Andy Scott 4, Andy Walker 37, Phil Starbuck 51, Lee Sandford 74 | |
| SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY | 1 (1) |
| Graham Hyde 41 |
| SHEFFIELD UNITED | -V- | SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY | ||
| Simon Tracey | 1 | Matt Clarke | ||
| Mark Beard | B | 2 | Scott Oakes | |
| Lee Sandford | 3 | Steve Nichol | ||
| Don Hutchinson | 4 | Peter Atherton | ||
| Michael Vonk | 5 | Graham Hyde | ||
| Roger Nilsen | 6 | Dejan Stefanovic | ||
| David White | 7 | Ritchie Humphreys | ||
| Mark Patterson | B | 8 | Mike Williams | |
| Phil Starbuck | 9 | Mark Bright | ||
| Andy Walker | 10 | O’Neill Donaldson | ||
| Andy Scott | 11 | John Sheridan | ||
| Substitutes | |
| 45mins | Dougie Hodgson for Vonk |
| 45mins | Chris Bettney for Walker |
| 45mins | Steve Hawes for Hutchinson |
| 61mins | John Reed for White |
| 69mins | J Stevens for Humphreys |
| 77mins | Steve Ludlam for Oakes |
| 80mins | Smith for Donaldson |
| 85mins | Paul Heritage for Tracey |
| 85mins | Matt Hocking for Nilsen |
| Managers | ||
| Howard kendall | – | David Pleat |
Notes
No notes
Match Report
Blades Strike Through the Storm to Sink Owls 4-1
Despite thunder, lightning and relentless downpours, an absorbing opening clash between city rivals delivered drama and goals in equal measure. The Blades triumphed over the Owls by showing a sharper edge in front of goal, converting the clearer chances even as Wednesday enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.
Tracey put in a composed display between the sticks, pulling off a string of impressive saves to preserve United’s lead. At the other end, Clarke had little chance with the goals conceded, often left exposed by his defence. United’s resilience was tested in the second half following the introduction of seven substitutes—many of them inexperienced—but the side held firm and closed out the match with authority.
The action began early when, in just the 4th minute, Walker’s interception led to a perfectly weighted through-ball for Andy Scott, who made no mistake as Clarke came rushing out—1-0 to United. Just before the break, Beard delivered a dangerous cross from the right. The Owls’ defence faltered and Walker pounced to guide the ball calmly inside the far post to double the lead on 37 minutes.
Wednesday responded quickly, with Hyde exploiting space in the middle of the park to rifle a low drive beyond Tracey’s outstretched right hand from 20 yards out, reducing the deficit to 2-1 by the 41st minute.
The second half saw United stretch their lead once more. On 51 minutes, substitute Bettney darted down the right flank and delivered a delightful curling cross that found Phil Starbuck in acres of space. The forward made no mistake, nodding home from close range to restore the two-goal cushion. The scoring was rounded off in the 76th minute when a Reed corner from the left caused chaos in the six-yard box, and Sandford was eventually credited with the decisive touch amidst a scramble of players—4-1 the final score.
A fine attacking performance, solid goalkeeping, and composed defending ensured a deserved victory for United in a fixture that defied the conditions to provide a lively spectacle.
UP THE BLADES 
Leave a comment