Sheffield United vs Millwall

UTB 45
HE SHOOTS,
HE SCORES…
David Barnes
In every edition of this season’s UTB we got back into the
Blades’ recent history to look back over some of the greatest
goals scored by those in red and white. This week, we
remember a long-range strike from an unlikely source…
Date: 06/10/90 Opposition: Wimbledon Competition: Barclays League Division One Scoreline: 1-2
× BACKGROUND…
Following back-to-back
promotions, United were
finding the going tough on the
return to Division One. Coming
into this home game against
Wimbledon, the Blades had
no wins from seven league
games and only one point and
one place separated Dave
Bassett’s side from basement
club Derby County. Wimbledon
hadn’t had a blistering start
either, and sat just four points
in front of the Blades with just
one win from their opening
seven outings.
× THE GOAL…
After a tentative start to the
game, United took the lead
after 14 minutes at Bramall
Lane. Close season signing
Vinnie Jones would come
back to haunt one of his former
clubs when he launched a long
throw into the Wimbledon area.
The throw was headed clear
from the edge of the six-yard
box but only to the edge of
the penalty area. Waiting for
the ball was Blades full-back
David Barnes who instantly
controlled the ball with his
left and then under pressure
immediately launched a shot
towards goal which flew into
the bottom corner.
Q Manager Dave Bassett
faced his old club
× THE OUTCOME…
With United in front, many
inside Bramall Lane were
crossing their fingers that
victory in the top flight might
have arrived at the eighth time
of asking. They were wrong.
Warren Barton’s corner was
kept alive on the edge of the
area where Detzi Kruszyński
thundered a shot against
the bar, only for Carlton
Fairweather to eventually get
to the loose ball, netting the
rebound with an acrobatic
effort from close range. Dons
striker John Gayle was then
sent off for a second bookable
offence opening the door for
a United win, but the Blades
couldn’t capitalise on the extra
man. It was the 10-men who
won it when sub John Fashanu
drilled a low effort into the
bottom corner from the edge
of the area. United had to wait
another nine games before
finally tasting victory against
Nottingham Forest.
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs MILLWALL