Sponsored by
Ward's a saint and a sinner!: MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
Southampton 1 v Sheffield Utd 2: SHEFFIELD United went from despair to delight in 120 dramatic seconds as Jamie Ward's injury-time strike clinched victory in an incident-packed match at St Mary's.
United, reduced to 10 men when Darius Henderson was dismissed just before the interval, thought a famous victory had been snatched from their grasp when Andrew Surman cancelled out Greg Halford's opener with barely a minute of normal time remaining.
But Ward had other ideas and broke Southampton hearts with a superb finish to open his account for Kevin Blackwell's side.
The result, which sees United climb to fourth in the Championship table, sparked frenzied celebrations on the visitors' bench and ensures they will enter Saturday's meeting with Sheffield Wednesday bristling with confidence and self-belief.
"I'm over the moon" Ward, signed from Chesterfield last month, said. "And really pleased that it didn't take me long to get off the mark.
"To be honest I just thought I'd hit it the best I could and fortunately it went in.
"With the sending-off we really had to grind that out but hopefully it will keep the promotion push going.
"All we can do is keep on winning and I think the way everyone reacted at the end spoke volumes.
"I was absolutely delighted and, with it being my first for United, I think the lads were delighted for me as well."
Ward admitted that his lapse in concentration had contributed to Southampton's equaliser – "I was trying to hold the ball up in the corner, lost it, and they went up and scored" – but redeemed himself in spectacular fashion by seizing upon Stephen Quinn's pass and converting from the acutest of angles.
He said: "Hopefully no one will be that bothered about it now. That's a vitally important win for us, especially because of the manner in which it came about.
"That's one goal in two matches for me now and it would be great if I can keep that up. But we'll just take every challenge as it comes.
That's all we can do."
With the adverse weather not only forcing them to abandon plans to fly to Hampshire but also delaying loanee Arturo Lupoli's arrival at the team hotel on Monday, United made just one, enforced, change to the team which drew with fellow play-off contenders Preston at the weekend.
Having learned before departing Bramall Lane that Chris Morgan, his combative captain and centre-half, had damaged a hamstring at Deepdale, Blackwell handed Leigh Bromby his first start since returning to the club from Watford.
Ward, another arrival during the transfer window, remained on the bench until the closing stages but, like Lupoli, appears destined to enjoy a more prominent role over the coming games as they attempt to cope in Henderson's absence.
Blackwell, having seen his options for the Steel City derby further reduced, will be in no mood to spare his striker's blushes should video evidence confirm his guilt.
With emotions still raw after James Beattie's move to Stoke, Henderson's folly threatened to heighten the frustration being expressed by the more militant members of United's support who, despite seeing their team beaten only once in 12 outings, insist that winning ugly is not enough.
But, faced with a numerical disadvantage, even their staunchest of critics will have conceded this was an occasion when substance was more important than style and United's response provided a reminder that, while they might not be the most attractive outfit in the competition, they are certainly the most determined.
Blackwell said: "We are limited in some areas but the lads give their all."
Southampton, who remain rooted in the relegation zone, started brightly with David McGoldrick and the lively Marek Saganowski both testing Paddy Kenny early on but United grew in stature as the action unfolded and, having seen a Brian Howard effort cleared off the line, deservedly took a 35th minute lead when Halford headed home at the far post.
Their joy, however, was shortlived and just five minutes later Henderson saw red following an off-the-ball tangle with Saints' Jan-Paul Saeijs.
The United forward protested his innocence but referee Lee Probert ordered him to the dressing room.
Blackwell said: "I didn't see it but I'll look at the DVD. From then on it was all about spirit."
Kenny produced fine saves to deny Bradley Wright-Phillips and McGoldrick as Southampton pressed but some resolute United defending kept them at range until Lloyd James broke rank and Surman powered home before Ward's late intervention broke Southampton hearts.
"Even a point would have been nothing to us," Blackwell's counterpart Mark Wotte said. "We need three.
"But, in fairness to Ward, he put it away excellently.
"Nine times out of 10 that would have gone wide but he got it in."
CLICK ON GREEN PLAY BUTTON ABOVE TO SEE PICTURES FROM LAST NIGHT'S MATCH
What do you think? Post your comments below.
READ MORE
Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Owls Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Watch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much more
Football headlines
More Blades
More Owls
More Spireites
More Rovers
More Reds
More Millers
More Ice Hockey
More rugby league
More rugby union
More boxing
Sports columnists
All sport categoriesWhat do you think? Post your comments below.
READ MORE
Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Owls Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Watch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much more
Football headlines
More Blades
More Owls
More Spireites
More Rovers
More Reds
More Millers
More Ice Hockey
More rugby league
More rugby union
More boxing
Sports columnists
All sport categories
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
