VENUE #44 SHEFFIELD UNITED Bramall Lane

SKY BET LEAGUE ONE

Sheffield United... 3
Tranmere Rovers... 1

Sunday 29th December                     2013

@ Bramall Lane Stadium
           Sheffield


     Here I am on my travels again just two days before seeing in the new year and this time it's Bramall Lane home of Sheffield United that is my venue for this Sunday afternoon's football.  I've not been too well as late in fact I've been off work for the past two months with a back and hip injury which makes walking a difficulty so one hopes I don't have to make a quick get away at some stage.
     I was a bit apprehensive once more about coming here as both Sheffield clubs have a bit of a reputation for not being good hosts and I don't think my impression of a Yorkshire accent would fool anyone and thought it might be best to keep my mouth shut as much as possible.  My last visit to Yorkshire though was at the beginning of the year when I went to Doncaster's Keepmoat stadium and found the fans very friendly and welcoming and the football was the best I've seen up to yet as well, so if I get a repeat of that day I'll be well chuffed.
   
   

View outside GAC stand

 Sheffield United and Tranmere Rovers both played three days ago on Boxing day.  The Blades were at home to Oldham managing a 1-1 draw with the Latics and manager Nigel Clough makes two changes for today's game, Andy White and Shaun Miller step aside for Ryan Flynn and Jamie Murphy.  Tranmere travelled to the New Meadow, Shrewsbury and clocked up a 1-0 victory.  Ronnie Moore makes just the one change swapping James Wallace for Steve Jennings.
     Both sides have a crucial battle this afternoon as they are occupying a place in the bottom six with Sheffield United in 19th position and Tranmere just one place below them, a win for either side could ease their relegation fears a little.
    It was United that got off to a good start scoring a goal after nine minutes when Jose Baxter's corner was headed down to Jamie Murphy who turned in a crowded Tranmere six yard box to hit the ball under Owain Fon Williams in the Rovers goal.
     Murphy almost became provider when his cross from the left was hit against the bar and was close to bouncing over the goal line off Liam Ridehalgh who was trying to clear the danger for Tranmere.
     Six minutes into the second half and United did extend their lead when a ball played from mid-field to Chris Porter on the edge of the eighteen yard area was slipped across the box to the penalty spot where Jose Baxter was running in to side foot the ball into Williams left hand side corner of the net.
     In the 67th minute the game was put beyond Tranmere's reach when a break down the right

Kop end stand

saw that man Murphy again play a ball to the exact spot as Porter did for the last goal but this time it was my man of the match Ryan Flynn who was there for a carbon copied goal of Baxter's eleven minutes earlier.
     Tranmere did get a consolation goal in the 85th minute when Jason Koumas fired the ball into the United six yard box where an attempted header clearance found Ash Taylor running in to fire home from twelve yards.
     This triggered a late surge from Rovers who could have reduced the deficit even further when the two substitutes combined with Max Power, (Yes this is the players real name), pumping the ball into United's box to be headed out but only as far as Jake Kirby who hit a twenty five yard shot that clipped the top of the bar and over for a goal kick.
     So it ended with a 3-1 victory for Sheffield United and I can honestly say that I've been treated to another marvellous game of football in Yorkshire, the best yet again so far this season.  I look forward to coming to this part of the country again in the future..

 

Jessica Ennis Stand

 Bramall Lane is a 32,700 all seated Stadium with all corners filled in but mainly with office blocks, unfortunately.  The two stands that run the touch lines are the Visit Malta stand which is a smart looking stand with executive boxes and the GAC stand, which is where I watched the game and is a more plain looking feature of the Stadium.
     At the Bramall Lane end behind the goal is the Jessica Ennis stand which is two tiered and covered while opposite this is the Kop end which can't be good for spectators as it has two pillars holding the roof up and so will restrict the fans view from certain places.
     Away fans are housed in the lower tier of the Jessica Ennis stand with the upper tier made available also when more space is needed to accommodate larger opposition followings.

                                                         Match Details