Rotherham United 0-2 Sheffield United: Blades Continue to Make Positive Steps in Pre-season | OneFootball

Sheffield United continued their winning ways in pre-season with a 2-0 victory away at Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon.

A first half goal from Tahith Chong put the Blades in front after a superb ball from Gustavo Hamer followed by neat control and a cool finish from the Curaçao international. Callum O’Hare doubled United’s lead in the second half when he unleashed a venomous strike from around 25 yards out which flew into the top corner.

Lineups

Rotherham: Cann, Rafferty, Ashley, Tavares, Martha, Adegboyega, Jellis, Nemane, Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C.

Blades: Cooper, McCallum (McGlinchey 89), Tanganga (McGuinness 73), Rothwell (Arblaster 61), Hamer (Matondo 61), Cannon (Bamford 61), O’Hare (Peck 61), Chong (Donovan 61), Baptiste, Seriki (Doherty 73), Riedewald (Oné 61).

Unused: Davies, Zatterstrom, Betts, Sasnauskas, Blacker, McGlinchey, Giggs.

First Half

The Blades made a bright start and almost opened the scoring inside the opening exchanges. Gustavo Hamer threaded a superb pass into the path of Tom Cannon, but under pressure from Cann, the striker could only scuff his effort harmlessly wide.

Hamer continued to pull the strings in midfield and moments later carved open the Rotherham defence once again. His defence-splitting pass sent O’Hare racing clear, but Cann stood firm to deny the midfielder in the one-on-one.

United continued to dominate possession throughout the first half, with Chong causing problems down the flank. After being released by O’Hare, the winger beat his marker on the outside before dragging a right-footed effort narrowly wide of the far post.

Despite the Blades’ control, Cooper was called into action after Rotherham threatened against the run of play. Jellis found space at the back post, forcing the United goalkeeper into a smart save to keep the scores level.

The breakthrough finally arrived just before half-time and it was no more than the visitors deserved. Hamer’s through ball picked out Chong, who got the better of Humphreys before calmly slotting beyond the advancing Cann to give Sheffield United a deserved lead heading into the interval.

Second Half

Rotherham attempted to respond after the restart and went close through Martha, whose effort deflected over the crossbar for a corner. Jellis then tried his luck from distance, with his deflected strike looping dangerously towards goal. Cooper reacted brilliantly, backtracking to tip the ball onto his own crossbar before the United defence completed the clearance.

The Blades doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half with the goal of the afternoon. Finding space 25 yards from goal, O’Hare turned sharply before unleashing a magnificent strike that flew beyond Cann and into the net, leaving the goalkeeper with absolutely no chance.

Rotherham refused to give in and Jellis continued to impress. The midfielder embarked on a driving run before curling a wonderful long-range effort towards the top corner. Cooper was beaten this time, but United were rescued by the woodwork as the ball crashed against the crossbar for the second time.

Sheffield United comfortably saw out the remainder of the game to record another positive pre-season result.