Sheffield United netted in the game’s dying embers to register a 2-1 victory over their South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United and maintain a 100% record so far in the Blades pre-season program.
Vini Souza had gifted the Blades the lead early on before substitute Hungbo levelled the scores shortly after the break. The game looked like heading as a tie before Louis Marsh pounced from close range to seal the victory two minutes from time.
Chris Wilder saw Anel Ahmedhodzic and Gus Hamer return to the side after the pair missed out on the midweek victory at Harrogate due to illness. The Blades saw new signing Harrison Burrows (from Peterborough United), make the bench, however, goalkeeper Ivo Grbic missed out through injury. Trialist, Andre Dozzell, again featured for a third time since his contract expired at QPR. Youngster Miguel Frecklington, who has appeared on the substitutes bench in recent games, was also absent following the completion of a season-long loan move to Swindon Town.
United had made a bright start in the game. Hamer looked lively and was unfortunate to see two early opportunities saved by the Millers keeper Dillon Phillips. United took the lead on 10 minutes. An excellent corner delivery from Ollie Arblaster saw Souza rise the highest to head home.
The Blades threatened to double their lead as former Rotherham striker, Kieffer Moore, dragged his effort wide. Shortly afterwards, Jamie Shackleton exited the field injured and was replaced by Femi Siriki.
Wilder’s side controlled most of the first half and for long periods. Moore came close again from Andre Brooks cross as his header rattled the post. At the other end, and shortly before the break, Arblaster cleared Sean Raggett’s header off the line, before Phillips denied Callum O’Hare.
Rotherham United, now under the leadership of Steve Evans (again), levelled the scores three minutes into the second half after the Blades failed to deal with a cross onto the far post with Hungbo finishing for the Millers.
United continued to search for a second goal and, on 66 minutes, Sam McCallum expertly kept the ball in play, but Brooks failed to test Phillips. With two minutes remaining the Blades netted a winner following neat play on the left wing which saw Brooks cross the ball onto the edge of the 18-yard box, Sydie Peck’s effort was spilled by Phillips and Marsh acted quickest to slam the ball home.
Rotherham United – Phillips, Rafferty (Trialist 80), Bramall (James 46), Raggett (Powell 80), Nombe (Hungbo 46), Clarke-Harris (Trialist 46), Hugill (Odoffin 69), Jules (Kelly 46), Rathbone (MacDonald 74), Humphreys, Tiehi (Osong 69). Unused- Dawson, McWilliams.
Sheffield United – A. Davies, McCallum, Arblaster (Dozzell 45), Hamer (Slimane 45), Moore (Marsh 79), O’Hare, Ahmedhodzic (Peck 68), Shackleton (Seriki 20), Robinson, Souza (Sachdev 79), Brooks. Unused: Faxon, Curtis, Hampson, Burrows, Boyes.
Attendance: 6,291