Sponsored by
Owls' double bid thwarted by stunning late free-kick: JAMES SHIELD'S DERBY VERDICT
United 2 v Wednesday 2: JAMES Beattie snatched history from Sheffield Wednesday's grasp last night.
Babe Ruth had yet to make his Major League debut when the visitors previously completed the double over their neighbours.
Engelbert Humperdinck was number one when Wednesday last tasted league success inside Bramall Lane.
But Beattie's spectacular free-kick during the dying moments of a dramatic Steel City derby denied Brian Laws the opportunity to write his name into the record books as Sheffield United exacted some degree of revenge for their defeat at Hillsborough in January.
The former Everton marksman's emphatic finish was a fitting end to a pulsating encounter between two sides who gave everything in pursuit of victory.
Wednesday, leading through Adam Bolder's brace, seemed set to inflict a famous loss until Richard Woods' own goal and Beattie's superb effort ensured honours remained even.
They shared mixed emotions too.
Both managers claimed to be the moral victors – United's case being slightly more compelling given the weight of possession they enjoyed – but Wednesday were durable and dangerous on the break.
The final scoreline serves neither – Blackwell acknowledging his charges must now win every one of their final four games to keep their faint hopes of promotion alive while Laws' team are still locked in an anxious battle for survival, but what both managers witnessed on the way should ultimately provide plenty of encouragement.
United, having initially struggled to adapt to life back in the Championship are clearly on the road to recovery and will be a force to be reckoned with next term while Wednesday, if they continue to show this level of commitment, are destined to put clear blue water between themselves and the bottom three.
What the managers did agree on was the supreme quality of Beattie's strike.
"World class," insisted Blackwell. "I feel like we've tossed away two points if I'm brutally honest but then to come from behind it feels like two points gained."
"I said at half-time it was there to be lost," Laws' countered. "Not for them to win. We threw it away but you've got to give them credit for coming back. It had to be Beattie."
The evening started on a poignant note with supporters holding aloft cards spelling out Derek Dooley's name and a minute's applause before kick-off to honour his memory.
A fearsome competitor during his own playing days, the great man would have appreciated the application these two arch-rivals demonstrated during the opening exchanges despite seeing their preparations hampered by injury.
Three of Blackwell's players underwent fitness tests beforehand and it was one of those, Billy Sharp, who quickly set about testing their opponents' resolve with three good attempts during the opening skirmishes; the first two of which were comfortably saved by Grant.
However, the Wednesday goalkeeper had to be at full stretch to prevent Sharp from breaking the deadlock midway through the first-half when, having manoeuvred his way past Wood, the striker sent the ball spiralling towards the top corner only to see it clawed away to safety.
As the interval approached, so the pressure on Wednesday's rearguard grew.
Indeed, with David Cotterill picking holes in their left flank at will, it seemed only a matter of time before their defences were breached.
But it was Wednesday who enjoyed a slender advantage at the interval courtesy of Adam Bolder's first goal since joining them on loan.
Franck Songo'o's trickery released Steve Watson and his lofted chip was headed beyond horribly-exposed keeper Paddy Kenny.
United were stunned and had it not been for a fine save by Kenny to deny the African moments later then their predicament could have been a whole lot worse.
But, encouraged by their ability to keep Beattie and Sharp at bay, Wednesday grew in stature after the break and doubled their lead 10 minutes after the re-start.
Again it was the partnership between Songo'o and Bolder that did the damage with the latter seizing his opportunity to claim a second after Kenny had parried his team mate's vicious drive.
Wednesday, who saw Graham Kavanagh succumb to a hamstring problem soon after, sensed victory but Woods' misfortune offered United an escape route just past the hour. Jermaine Johnson failed to clear and during the resulting scramble, which saw Grant deny Beattie, the centre-half deflected into his own net.
United thought they had drawn level when substitute Jon Stead met Sharp's cross at the far post but Grant performed heroics to keep out the initial effort and then smother Beattie's attempt on the rebound.
As Blackwell's men pressed so the game became more open.
Bartosz Slusarski, on for Ben Sahar, tested Kenny with an excellent long-range attempt but cometh the hour cometh the man and Beattie proved the hosts' saviour by thundering home from fully 30 yards, after a foul on Gary Speed, for his 20th goal in United colours.
Managers' views:
Kevin Blackwell: I always thought we could get away with one draw if we want to get in the play-offs. Now we've got to win all of our last games if we want to stand a chance.
Brian Laws: My first thought is disappointment. I thought we threw it away but then you give them credit for coming back. I'm gutted for the players because I thought they deserved more.
What do you think? Post your comments below.
READ MORE
Honours even: Click here for Match report and full photo slideshow.
Fans clash at Steel City derby - PICTURES
Both sets of fans left wanting more: Read Paul Thompson on the Steel City Derby.
Football headlines.
More Blades.
More Owls.
More Spireites.
More Rovers.
More Reds.
More Millers.
More Ice Hockey.
More rugby.
More boxing.
Sports columnists.
All sport categories.What do you think? Post your comments below.
READ MORE
Football headlines.
More Blades.
More Owls.
More Spireites.
More Rovers.
More Reds.
More Millers.
More Ice Hockey.
More rugby.
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 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
