The steel city derby at Hillsborough and my second bout of
nervousness for the weekend. Wednesday
came into it with three defeats out of the last three, while United had won
eleven of the last thirteen. Moreover
the Owls were five points behind the Blades in the league, having played two
games more; it was a must win game, with the manager’s job at stake too.
The first half was even, with Wednesday missing with two
headers and United going close with a free-kick that bounced down from the
crossbar.
The second half began scrappy. Neither side appeared to want to win the game
and couldn’t put a move together. Until
Wednesday went down the right, Buxton put in a perfect cross and Chris O’Grady
scored with a header. The ground erupted
on three sides, with only the Leppings Lane end quiet.
United came back with attack after relentless attack, but
Wednesday held them off, although arguably inviting pressure onto themselves a
little too much, and Bywater was forced to make a couple of outstanding saves. But with the game into injury time they
managed to keep the ball down in the opposition half until the final whistle
blew, with much relief all around.
The Blades may still be favourites to take the second
automatic promotion position, but they will know that the Owls are breathing
down their necks, and the slightest slip up will leave them ready to swoop.
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