SHEFFIELD UNITED 1 CITY 2
League Division 2
8th March 1988
attendance 13,906
Scorers
City Morley(52), White(57)
Sheffield United Agana(37)
Ref J Penrose
City Stowell, Clements, Hinchcliffe, Lake, I Brightwell, Redmond, White, Morley, Varadi, Scott, Simpson – subs Seagraves(51), Moulden(78)
Sheffield United Leaning, Wilder, Pike, Todd, Stancliffe, Smith, Hetherston, Philliskirk, Agana, Dempsey, Beagrie
FROM THE PRESS BOX
CYNTHIA BATEMAN WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 9TH MARCH 1988
Driving along the M62, I was wedged in the middle of a funeral cortége, hearse in front, mourners behind. We flew along like black bats out of hell, and thereafter I seemed to see nothing but signs for funeral services.
Apt, since it seemed likely I was on my way to see another nail hammered in the coffin of Sheffield United. who are perilously close to the relegation zone.
Neither side could afford to lose this match. Manchester City needed to win to get back in touch with the leading group if they are to stand any chance of being in the promotion play-off’s. And Sheffield United, fifth from bottom, are clutching at points as a drowning man at straws.
City had asked for thee match to be brought forward so that their top scorer Paul Stewart, serving the second of a two match suspension, would be available for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter final against Liverpool.
United, who pushed forward from the beginnng, have looked better since Dave Bassett took over six Weeks ago. But they have won only two of their six games with him in charge.
City began to hit their stride on the half hour with a lovely through ball from Lake which gave Morley a chance, but Leaning saved well. And rt was United who scored first, through Agana in the 37th minute, before Hetherston nearly buried City with a header.
City brought on Seagraves in the 51st minute for Lake, who had taken a knock. and almost immediately Morley struck from a Simpson corner flicked on by Clements to make it 1-1.
Five minutes later White put City in the lead from a ball from Varadi played through by Hinchcliffe.
United’s Leaning was called on to make a dramatic save from White and in the dying minutes Simpson hit the post.