Match report: Town 1 - 2 Sheff Utd

Aug 28 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN’S Carling Cup hopes crumbled as Sheffield United struck twice in as many minutes late on, but there was certainly no disgrace in this defeat.

In terms of performance, if not result, this was the perfect response to Saturday’s 3-1 home setback at the hands of MK Dons.

And if Stan Ternent’s side can reproduce the tempo of last night’s display, and find a sharper edge in front of goal, they can be optimistic about visiting Millwall on Saturday and Cheltenham seven days later.

Forced to ring the changes because of the unavailability of Andy Butler, Andy Booth, Ian Craney and on-loan Derby striker Liam Dickinson, Ternent handed first starts of the season to Nathan Clarke and Keigan Parker – and saw Michael Flynn score his first Town goal.

Playing in his preferred central midfield role rather than out on the left, Flynn let fly in the 34th minute, his shot from Gary Roberts’ short free-kick beating keeper Ian Bennett with the aid of a deflection.

Town were hoping to emulate Crewe, Hartlepool, Leeds, Northampton, Rotherham and Swansea in beating higher-level opposition to make round three, and the lead was fully deserved.

They started strongly, and after Sun Jihai committed the first of a string of fouls, this time on Danny Cadamarteri, Roberts’ third-minute free-kick was held by Bennett.

Parker brought a good save from Bennett with a header from Roberts’ fifth-minute cross, then, on 19, Clarke headed wide when well placed to meet fellow centre-back Chris Lucketti’s cross.

Flynn volleyed wide eight minutes before scoring his goal, after which United finally came to life.

Up to then, David Carney’s 27th-minute shot on the turn which flew wide had been their only effort of note.

But now Town old boy Jon Stead tested Matt Glennon with a deflected shot, then set up Carney, who was foiled by Flynn’s fine block tackle.