Match Reports

Richard Rescues Blades against Resilient Rovers

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Richard Cresswell bagged his first Blades goal to give the Blades their second successive draw after coming from behind.

Cresswell netted the equaliser in the second half with a header from close range, after James Hayter had put the visitors in front.

Kevin Blackwell made a number of changes to the team, with Jordan Stewart, Richard Cresswell and Glen Little all getting their first starts of the season, in place of Andy Taylor, David Cotterill (on the bench) and James Harper (missed out altogether).

Doncaster lined up in a similar way to last season, with Sam Hird protecting the back four, and often stepping back, to make a back five. Despite Hayter starting up front on his own, it was the visitors who got the first attack, Shiels going close early on.

That would be the last time Rovers made it into the Blades area until the goal. The Blades dominated their visitors without testing the goalkeeper, balls in the box were being cleared, and bodies were being thrown in the way. Jordan Stewart made a good run down the left and cut back for Ched Evans, but the Welshman fired well wide from a good position. The Blades did have four early corners, of which three found their way to Andrew Davies, deputising for Matt Kilgallon, but his headers were all wayward.

The Blades were punished for not making the possession count just before half time. Shiels again the catalyst, setting up Hayter whose deflected shot wrong footed Bunn and found its way into the Blades goal.

Cresswell ended the half with a shot, but it was saved by the ‘keeper after good work by Henderson.

Ryan France replaced Nick Montgomery at half time, who added to the Blades injury woes with a bang to the knee. The Blades levelled early in the second half. Little’s deep cross appeared to come off either the crossbar or Sullivan’s finger tips, and Cresswell threw himself at the ball, to make it 1-1, hitting the post himself in the process.

The Blades almost went ahead soon after, a cross from the right was met by the head of Darius Henderson, but his effort came off the post. United were still on top, with Rovers showing little signs of their trademark passing game. However, the chances still weren’t coming until Kyle Walker surged into the area in injury time, but Sullivan tipped his effort over the bar, leaving the Blades with just a point from this South Yorkshire derby.

Player Ratings

Mark Bunn
Very little to do, was unlucky with the goal due to the deflection.

Early season School grade so far: B – Looks good, but not perfect.

Kyle Walker
Was his usual self, little to do in defence, but going forward can provide a real threat.

Early season School grade so far: A- Been caught out a couple of times, noticeably at Swansea, but showing real signs of class.

Chris Morgan
Solid at the back, and one a couple of occasions even played the ball out of defence.

Early season School grade so far: B – Started well, but the centre of defence is looking shaky at the moment. (Leading the man of the match polls).

Andrew Davies
Excellent in the air, a liability elsewhere. Luckily didn’t have much to do yesterday.

Early season School grade so far: Not really seen enough of the loanee.

Jordan Stewart
Began well, showed a real threat going forward, and even reached the byline, but tired later on.

Early season School grade so far: Not enough games to have an opinion

Glen Little
Looked excellent, and claimed yet another assist, but began tiring towards the end.

Early season School grade so far: Only played two games.

Nick Montgomery
Got a knock, but played his usual game throughout and even had a shot from 25 yards.

Early season School grade so far: A – Integral to the team when chasing a game, but not always perfect.

Stephen Quinn
Not quite as impressive as Tuesday night, but still a good game.

Early season School grade so far: A- After a terrible start to the season, Quinn has turned it round, thanks to Kevin Blackwell replacing him with Brian Howard. But following being dropped, Quinn began to look like the player who first broke in to the team in 2005

Richard Cresswell
A magnificent performance from the winger who showed the kind of determination and unpretty style that Neil Warnock’s teams used to possess. Deserved his goal, and could easily be set for a spell up front.

Early season School grade so far: Too early to judge, but looking ok so far.

Darius Henderson
More of the same from Henderson, unlucky with the header against the post, but that’s all really.

Early season School grade so far: C – Pass, just! Hindered by the officials, but needs to prove the fans wrong who are on his back.

Ched Evans
Rather anonymous in the game. Not a lot more to say really.

Early season School grade so far: D – Scored 3 goals, but hasn’t lived up to the hype despite clearly having the ability. Must do better!

Ryan France
Replaced Montgomery at half time,did ok. Looked composed on the ball, but needs to work on his positioning off the ball.

Keith Treacy
Replaced Evans on 75 and immediately looked in the same form as in recent weeks before his injury. Could be a Vital player this season, needs to be signed in January.
Came on for Little towards the end, and showed more of the same. The two can make that side their own, allowing Ward to be moved up front. Cotterill’s pace is handy in the second half against tiring defenders, and Little’s quality is also an assett as a substitute if the Blades are chasing a game.

Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Blackwell told the official site, “We have dominated the game for long spells in terms of possession, stats, efforts at goal – whatever you want to come up with – but it is not quite happening for us in the box at the moment.

“They scored a scruffy goal that came off Kyle Walker and went through Mark Bunns’ leg with probably their first visit into our 18 yard box.

“It gave them a platform to sit on and they set up to stop balls getting into our forwards. But Sullivan made two saves from his own players, and from Quinn and Cresswell, as well as being helped by the woodwork from Henderson.

“I am disappointed and frustrated but I can’t complain about what the lads gave me. We had Cresswell, Stewart and Little making full debuts and France hasn’t played much for us yet.

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