Match Reports

“Why aren’t you playing? That’s why!”

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Kevin Blackwell blasted his fringe players after A Marc Richards double was enough to give Port Vale a Carling Cup First Round upset, with the help of Blades ‘keeper Ian Bennett.

Richards free-kick with half an hour remaining was seemingly comfortable for Bennett, but the ex Birmingham stopper allowed the ball to just slip through his fingers, to put Vale back into the lead.

Despite criticising many of his players, Kevin Blackwell did show some sympathy to the goalkeeper: “What can I say about it? That sort of thing happens to all goalkeepers at some time in their career and I know Ian is too experienced and competent to allow that to knock his confidence.

“We let him down really because we had enough chances to have helped him out by winning anyway. But people won’t remember the chances we missed, just the goalie’s mistake.”


Unfortunately, the second half, when the Blades were behind, followed a very similar pattern to last year; direct play, chances, but no quality to finish them off.

Henderson was unable to convert from close range, and saw his effort cleared off the line; Howard, Robertson and Treacy were also prevented by the agility of Martin.

The Blades had been on top in the early exchanges, but it was Micky Adams’ side who went in front twenty minutes in. Taylor’s good work on the left was cut back by Loft, and Richards was there to stroke home to put the visitors in front.

It appeared early on that the Blades would have a challenge on their hands, with goalkeeper Chris Martin in fine form. First saving from Sharp, and then deflecting Reid’s deflected cross over the bar.

The Blades did finally beat Martin with just over ten minutes of the first half remaining. Little and Quinn exchanging passes out wide, before the ball fell to Sharp, who turned in the box and fired high into the Vale goal.

There was just one last scare in the second half for the Blades, Ian Bennett dropping a cross, but it was eventually cleared by the Blades defence.

Player Ratings

Ian Bennett
Chances of playing Saturday: 1/10

Bunn and his “sticky” hands will be back in.

Ryan France
Chances of playing Saturday: 5/10

Walker back in the team, France will face competition from Cotterill and Little

Leigh Bromby
Chances of playing Saturday: 3/10

Nothing particularly wrong with Bromby, but Morgan will be back in the side.

Matt Kilgallon (c)
Chances of playing Saturday: 10/10

Captain for the night, and providing an injury isn’t picked up, he’ll be first on the team sheet.

Andy Taylor
Chances of playing Saturday: 9/10

Not only is there little competition at left back, but Taylor has put two satisfactory displays in so far.

Glen Little
Chances of playing Saturday: 5/10

If performance is to go by, then Little would be given a start against the Hornets, but can the veteran play two games in a week?

Brian Howard
Chances of playing Saturday: 7/10

With another under par display from Stephen Quinn, Blackwell could be tempted to partner Howard alongside Montgomery.

Stephen Quinn
Chances of playing Saturday: 6/10

The manager appears reluctant to break up the Montgomery/Quinn partnership in the league, but surely Quinn cannot be expected to keep his place in this sort of form.

Kyel Reid
Chances of playing Saturday: 4/10

Reid looked lively, and certainly has pace, but Treacy appears closer to the finished article and will probably keep his place.

Darius Henderson
Chances of playing Saturday: 9/10

Was brought off early to save him for the weekend no doubt, and will perhaps partner £3million man Ched Evans in attack.

Billy Sharp
Chances of playing Saturday: 5/10

Did what he does best last night; made space in the box and fired home. Evans will probably get the knock on Saturday, but should fitness become an issue, Sharp will be knocking on the door.

Jordan Robertson
Replaced Henderson (56)

Keith Treacy
Replaced Little (68)
Replaced Quinn (81)

Kevin Blackwell
“I gave some players opportunities after they have knocked on my door asking why they were not playing. Now I can turn round and say ‘that’s why’.

“Nobody bashed my door down tonight. I have been saying that I need another two or three and this performance proved it. Some of them showed that they are not up to it when the chips are down and I will clear some out.”

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