Bittersweet feeling for Sheffield United history-maker as below-par Blades take another step back in Mansfield Town FA Cup defeat
Bittersweet feeling for Sheffield United history-maker as below-par Blades take another step back in Mansfield Town FA Cup defeat
Boyhood Blade Louis Reed admitted it was a bittersweet feeling as his shock brace on his return to Sheffield United helped set up a big FA Cup shock for Mansfield Town. The former United midfielder scored two long-range strikes as the Stags tasted their first victory over a side from the top two tiers for more than half a century.
Reed, now 28, played more than 50 times for the Blades after coming through their academy and became United’s youngest-ever player as a 16-year-old when he was handed a debut by current Mansfield boss Nigel Clough.
He has since carved out a career away from Bramall Lane and had a memorable return to familiar territory with two long-range strikes to help his side to a 2-1 half-time lead. They went on to make it 4-1 in the second half before United reduced the deficit to 4-3, but they couldn’t find an equaliser and were knocked out of the competition.
Clough, who refused to take any extra satisfaction from the victory after his harsh sacking as United chief more than a decade ago, admitted Reed’s brace was a surprise - having only found the net three times before in more than 100 Stags appearances.
“It’s a great surprise to us because he maybe gets a goal a season or something like that,” said Clough. “But he was in position there, on the edge of the box. They were two controlled strikes. He didn't slash at them over the bar, which a lot of people are doing now. Five yards over the bar is no good. If you hit the target, then you’ve got a chance.”
Bittersweet feeling for Sheffield United history-maker as below-par Blades take another step back in Mansfield Town FA Cup defeat
Reed’s strikes were followed by goals from Lucas Akins and the excellent Rhys Oates and United, despite getting back into the game thanks to Patrick Bamford’s close-range effort and an own goal from Nathan Moriah-Welsh, couldn’t find a fourth to force extra-time.
“It is a bit of a bittersweet one for me, obviously, supporting Sheffield United,” Reed admitted. “But the main thing today was doing the best we could to get into that hat and I was delighted to be a part of it.
“It was great scenes at the end. Coming to Bramall Lane and filling the away end, the fans were brilliant from start to finish. So it's great to reward them with victory and getting into the next round of the cup.
“I don't think it could have gone any better really, apart from the three goals we conceded. To go 4-1 up at a place like this is incredible. Obviously they are a great team and they have some very good players. But we were on it today.”
Reed’s goals were outshone a little by Gustavo Hamer’s stunning equaliser for the Blades but the home side could not test Liam Roberts enough in the away goal, despite dominating the ball for large parts of the game.
“Going one up we had to try to defend as best we could, but they have good players and their lad has hit a good goal as well,” Reed added. “It’s one of those you can't be too disheartened with as it was such a great strike.
“But the way we responded to that was brilliant. My second goal was from a similar position. It took a big deflection, but it was on target so I am definitely claiming that one.
“The next job was to get in at half-time at 2-1 and build from there. It is the best time to score as you go into half-time with all the momentum. Then we wanted to come back out and add to what we'd done in the first half – and we did that.
“But a team like Sheffield United are never going to give in, and they got back in it at 4-3. And it was time to dig in. We just needed to get through it, get the leg work in, help your mates out where you can. We stuck to our job well and got there in the end.”