Blades Sharp in Second

Sheffield United 4-0 Bury

Sheffield United kept up the heat on League 1 pacesetters MK Dons by brushing aside a toothless Bury outfit 4-0 at Bramall Lane.

The hosts, who are only second placed on goals scored, bagged four for the first time in 19 months at home courtesy of Chris Porter (right), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Matt Lowton and Erik Tonne despite the loss of key frontmen Daniel Bogdanovic and Jordan Slew on transfer deadline day.

Two goals just moments either side of half time effectively put the game to bed when first Porter stabbed in from close range after a frustrating 42 minutes, before Mendez-Laing – on loan from Wolves – hit a speculative right wing cross which sneaked in at the near post after ‘keeper Cameron Belford’s misjudgement.

The visitors, who were without prolific poacher Ryan Lowe for the first time after he moved to United’s rivals Wednesday in the aforementioned window, struggled for clear cut chances, with the pick of the bunch wasted by Giles Coke who moved to Gigg Lane on loan as part of Lowe’s deal.

Lowe’s absence clearly affected the Shakers more than the Blades missed their forwards and a third was added in the 70th minute. Michael Doyle played an intricate through ball to goalscorer Porter who beat the offside trap only to see his shot parried in to the path of right back Lowton who buried in front of the Kop.

The enthusiasm of Richie Barker’s men quickly dwindled and their spirited battle was soon put out by the ice cool Norwegian Tonne. The forward hooked home his second in two games from fellow substitute Lee Williamson’s corner just three minutes after coming on to register a convincing win in this battle of the roses clash.


Sheffield United:
S Simonsen, N Collins, J-C Jean-Francois, M Lowton, H Maguire, M Doyle, S Quinn (L Williamson, 83), D McAllister, N Mendez-Laing (R Flynn, 73), C Porter (E Tonne, 81), R Cresswell

Bury:
C Belford, P Picken, E Sodje, J Skarz, A Eastham, S Byrne (S Harrad, 70), P Sweeney, G Coke, M Jones, D Worrall (A Haworth, 79), A Bishop

Att: 17956

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