Sheffield United 1-0 Wrexham: United Comfortably See Off Threat of Wrexham

Sheffield United saw off the challenge of Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham with a 1-0 win on Friday night at Bramall Lane.

The only goal of the game came in the first half when Japhet Tanganga played a lofted pass to Jordan Ayew, who smartly turned and hit a shot hard and low which forced the keeper to parry the ball out, and Ben Brereton Diaz was perfectly placed to fire home the rebound from close range.

Lineups

Blades: Cooper, Tanganga, Choudhury (McGuinness 86), Ayew (Cannon 68), Donovan (Campbell 86), Burrows, Kitching, Chong (Seriki 68), Brereton Díaz (Arblaster 79), Phillips, Peck.

Unused: Betts. McCallum, Baptiste, Riedewald.

Wrexham: Patterson, Doyle, Ekomie (Thomason 73), Hyam (Cleworth 45), Worrall, Kabore (Imray 73), Sheaf (Dobson 73), Moore, Rathbone (Smith 45), O’Brien, James.

Unused: Ward, Whiteman, Cadamarteri, Vyner.

First Half

Romelle Donovan immediately looked to cause problems down the left flank and provide an attacking outlet for the Blades.

The winger was involved from the opening stages, delivering a dangerous low cross into the penalty area after just three minutes. Jordan Ayew managed to get ahead of his marker, but could only guide his effort narrowly over the crossbar.

Donovan continued to trouble the visitors and produced another impressive piece of individual play shortly afterwards, skipping past Issa Kaboré before cutting inside Dom Hyam. However, Kaboré recovered well to intervene with an important interception before United could capitalise.

The left-winger was again the creator a minute later, this time finding Ben Brereton Diaz with a cross into the box. The Chile international was unable to make proper contact with his header, sending the ball comfortably wide.

United were enjoying the better of the opening exchanges and continued to apply pressure. Joe Worrall did well to dispossess Brereton Diaz on the edge of the penalty area in the 16th minute, but the loose ball dropped invitingly for Sydie Peck. The midfielder struck a low effort towards goal, forcing Anthony Patterson into a smart save down to his right.

The Blades’ pressure eventually paid dividends just after the half-hour mark. Ayew showed good strength and determination to turn inside the penalty area before getting a shot away. Patterson could only parry the effort, however, and Brereton Diaz was quickest to react, following in to fire the rebound into the net and give United a deserved advantage.

There was frustration for the Blades just before the interval when they appeared to have a strong penalty claim. Burrows looked to turn inside the area but seemingly got caught by Hyam. Despite the appeals, the referee waved play on.

Second Half

A long ball from James sent Kieffer Moore chasing towards the Sheffield United penalty area in the 52nd minute, but the forward struggled to get the ball under control and eventually dragged his effort well off target.

The visitors threatened again two minutes later when Kaboré delivered a cross from the right-hand side. Substitute Smith found himself in a promising position inside the box but could only direct his header wide of the far post.

United then had an excellent opportunity to extend their advantage on 57 minutes. Sheaf initially looked to create something for Wrexham with a cross, but Michael Cooper intercepted and quickly turned defence into attack, releasing Ayew in behind the opposition backline. However, Sheaf showed impressive recovery pace and produced an outstanding last-ditch challenge to deny the forward before he could get a shot away.

The contest became increasingly stretched as the second half progressed, with United looking to exploit the spaces left by the visitors in their search for an equaliser.

Tyrese Campbell provided a moment of quality during the first of six minutes of added time, controlling the ball brilliantly before helping launch a promising Blades counter-attack. Peck was eventually presented with an opportunity to test Patterson, but his low effort was comfortably kept out.

Wrexham struggled to create anything of real substance during the closing stages.