Sheffield United vs Coventry City

UTB 41
most fans thought they
would witness another
disappointing 90 minutes
and no seasonal cheer.
However, the Blades
produced a tremendous
second half display
attacking the Kop End and
went on to win 4-2.
Today’s article features
two photos from that game.
One shows an action shot
of Blades’ winger, Peter
Beagrie, in the act of
successfully taking on the
City defence in the 47th
minute before firing home
a fantastic equaliser. The
second photograph shows
a close up of midfielder
Mark Dempsey celebrating
putting the Blades 2-1 up
nine minutes later. Beagrie
went on to add a second
to his personal tally while
substitute, Tony Daws,
added a fourth in the 86th
minute. There was still
time for City to pull one
goal back before the final
whistle.
United manager, Billy
McEwan, had been tasked
with bringing down the
average age of the squad
and looking to operate
smartly and cheaply in
the transfer market. Both
Beagrie and Dempsey
had been signed for small
fees during the summer of
1986 whilst Sheffield-born
striker Daws had been
snapped up on a free from
Notts County. This was
a day when Beagrie in
particular demonstrated
what a bargain buy he was
becoming.
The squad still
did contain some
experienced players
such as goalkeeper John
Burridge, centre back Paul
Stancliffe, winger Colin
Morris and former England
striker Peter Withe who
can be seen to the left
of Dempsey in the goal
celebration photograph.
Another interesting feature
of this same image is the
bright light shining behind
Dempsey at the front of the
Bramall Lane Stand. This
was the Blades’ brandnew
electronic scoreboard
in operation for the first
time.
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs COVENTRY CITY