This Totesportcasino.com reserve cup game saw Sunderland Reserves beat a young Blades reserve side 3-0. Goals from Colback, Henderson and Weir saw the lads through to the next round. A twenty minute drive from my flat in Sheffield took me to the Bright Finance Stadium, home of Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club. The stadium and club bizarrely enough is not based in Yorkshire as you’d expect, but just over the county border in Derbyshire.

The lads lined up with Colgan in goal, Kay and Luscombe the wing backs and Chimbo (who I’d came to see) playing centre half with Hartley. Meyler sat just in front of the back four with Henderson and Diouf on the two wings, captain Colback and Chandler played central roles. Murphy was a lone striker.

The game started quietly with two balls being lost in the first five minutes after they were hoofed over the fence! Sunderland were holding the majority of possession with much of the play going through Dioufy on the left. His touch and knowledge seemed too good for the young Blades’ back four, but his refusal to really take anybody on was annoying. Murphy meanwhile was drifting wide right far too much, which was surprising as he is so left footed. Our first opportunity fell to Diouf on about six minutes when his shot from outside the box was safely caught by the noisy Blades’ goalkeeper Justin Haber.

After ten minutes captain Colback picked up the ball just outside the box and instantly shot. His effort screamed out of nowhere into the back of the net, hitting the underside of the crossbar en route. Great goal from Colback. 1-0

The game went quiet again after we took the lead with passes generally being hoofed up field towards Murphy, which either were too long or caught him offside. Kay had a decent shot saved on the twenty minute mark when he struck a good effort with his weaker left foot straight to their keeper. United were having more of the ball by now and struck a few decent efforts over the bar, one from about twelve yards after a mistake by Hartley.

A rumour floating around the small stadium was that a Mr Keane was watching from the other end of the ground, so I went to investigate. It was true, Roy was there with Van Der Gouw and Tony Loughlin, but was not willing to talk to anybody or sign any autographs until half time. Not too bad for two quid to stand next to Roy, even though he was miserable and wouldn’t speak! The gaffer was obviously casting an eye over Chimbo, Diouf and Murphy with Bolton in mind.

Just before half time The Blades had a few more efforts, but they were easily dealt with by Colgan. The game went quiet until the last minute of the half when Diouf was fouled on the left. Henderson whipped the resulting free kick in which landed to Murphy at a tight angle, but his shot just missed the target.

H/T 1-0 to the lads...

The second half commenced and Keane was by now signing autographs, but I decided not to go speak to him after he refused to talk to me earlier! Sunderland should have had a penalty right at the start of the half when Chandler’s shot seemed to hit one of the Blades’ defenders on the hand; however, the usual answer came when we have a claim for a penalty... No.

On 52 minutes Shef Utd should have equalised, but instead it was the miss of the season when Senicanin hit the cross bar from five yards.

However, by now we were passing well with the impressive Colback running the centre of midfield and generally finding the just as impressive Henderson on the right wing. Henderson had two great opportunities within five minutes. He should have shot both times, but on both occasions Diouf was calling for the ball in the box and both crosses came to nothing. Chimbonda was subbed for Weir after a decent 60 minutes at centre back; hopefully this is because he’ll feature on Saturday.

Sunderland then bossed the game for a good twenty minute spell with Henderson, Colback, Chandler and Weir doing well. Murphy and Diouf were both subbed together after 75 minutes. Both players had very little impact, especially Murphy who was particularly poor and Diouf probably ran quicker than any other occasion during the evening to leave the field of play! On came Dowson and the young Jordan Cook.

Sunderland were going all out to attack by now and ripping United apart. Our second goal came when Henderson had his shot parried straight to Robbie Weir, who blasted home from distance. Shef Utd were now in tatters and we had a great opportunity again on 90 minutes. Melyer whipped in a high corner which landed plum to Harltey, but he headed just over.

However, in time added on Henderson scored a well deserved goal when a corner was played short to him outside the box and he beat his man and scored a screamer. Get in son, great goal and well played Hendo.

To sum it up, Sunderland dominated the whole game and United hardly had a sniff on goal. The big talking points beforehand were Chimbonda, Diouf and Murphy featuring. But the watching Roy Keane couldn’t have been impressed by the two front men, as they were both pretty poor. However, Chimbo looked assured at centre half and I hope he starts on Saturday. Henderson and Colback bossed the game with Luscombe looking strong at left back.

Full time: Sunderland 3 Sheffield Utd 0

Sunderland: Colgan, Kay, Luscombe, Meyler, Chimbonda (Weir), Hartley, Henderson, Chandler, Murphy (Cook), Colback, Diouf (Dowson)

Subs not used: Wilson, Prica

ALS Man Of The Match: Between Henderson and Colback, both bossed the game but I'll go with captain Colback.

Daniel Richardson