The City XI was unchanged for the visit of Sheffield United. The Blades must have approached the game with some trepidation as they were firmly rooted to the bottom, nine points behind the next club, Wolves. Clearly a miracle was needed to rescue their season.
Remarkably the first half was goalless, partly due to a spirited display from United – who most people had regarded as sacrificial lambs before the day – and partly thanks to their woeful finishing and Joe Corrigan’s excellent goalkeeping.
Full back Paul Garner had a good chance early on but
Asa Hartford scored twice 20 years ago this week.
snatched at his shot, then Chris Guthrie had a header saved by Corrigan before that worthy shone with another excellent stop from the same player.
Quite where a City goal was coming from no-one knew as the Blues spluttered along without their customary confidence and flair for the first 45 minutes, but after the break a different City took command of the game.
Asa Hartford was the man who broke the ice as he took advantage of a mishit pass from Tony Currie which flew to Tommy Booth. The City midfielder slipped the ball to Asa, who scored off a post.
Peter Barnes then centred and foe Royle played the ball back to Dennis Tueart, who repeated his Wembley feat and scored with an overhead special, and a third goal came from Royle thanks to a Booth centre.
Asa grabbed a fourth before the end, again thanks to a Barnes centre and a Booth header to set him up.
ADAPTED FROM AN ARTICLE BY JOHN MADDOCKS IN THE CITY PROGRAMME 2ND MARCH 1996