Sheffield United travelled to Greater Manchester as the Blades looked to extend their lead at the top of League One against 10th placed Rochdale.
Chris Wilder named an unchanged starting XI from last week’s vital win over Bolton Wanderers at Bramall Lane, and the Blades took their fine form straight onto the pitch at Spotland when Mark Duffy opened the scoring on 5 minutes:
1-0 Duffy #twitterblades pic.twitter.com/D3574JwiEW
— plat blade (@platblade) March 4, 2017
Video – Duffy puts the Blades in front #sufc #twitterblades pic.twitter.com/5UjkkAydbd
— S24SU.com (@s24su) March 4, 2017
After the midfielder’s free-kick, left-wing-back Danny Lafferty doubled his side’s lead within the first 15 minutes of the game with a 30-yard screamer and the Blades looked to be cruising:
https://twitter.com/s18_blade/status/838044145818152960
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL: DANIEL LAFFERTY!!!! OMG WHAT A GOAL!!!!!! (0-2) #sufc #twitterblades
— Blades Mad (@Blades_Mad) March 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/chrisclifford29/status/838044612694528000
Video – Lafferty doubles the lead… #sufc #twitterblades pic.twitter.com/oIjvwBkVNR
— S24SU.com (@s24su) March 4, 2017
However, Rochdale raised their tempo after falling two goals behind and, following ex-Blade Steven Davies’ goal in the first half, Matty Lund instantly bagged the equaliser from the back post as the teams returned from the tunnels for the second-half. The Dale had taken control of the League One fixture and the 3,500 travelling supporters were worried:
Dale finishing the half the strongest it has to be said. Their goal took the stuffing out of us a bit. Let's go again! #sufc #twitterblades
— Blades Mad (@Blades_Mad) March 4, 2017
Rochdale 2 – 2 Sheffield United – The hosts bring it level #sufc #twitterblades
— S24SU.com (@s24su) March 4, 2017
FFS!! Come on Blades, step it up!!!
— Mick Allen (@BigMick1889) March 4, 2017
Rochdale definitely the better team here. Need to step this up massively or we'll be hanging on for the draw! (2-2) #sufc #twitterblades
— Blades Mad (@Blades_Mad) March 4, 2017
Ten minutes later Wilder’s side were back in front through a Billy Sharp volley, his 24th goal of the season, with Chris Basham providing the assist. Sheffield United fans showed their relief on Twitter at going ahead once again as Rochdale had proven to be tough opponents and were pushing the South Yorkshire club hard:
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL: BILLY SHARP!!!!!! Rochdale 2-3 BLADES!!!!!!! #sufc #twitterblades
— Blades Mad (@Blades_Mad) March 4, 2017
BILLLLYY
— Jamie (@jamieg0ugh) March 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/s18_blade/status/838063712720285696
But Keith Hill’s side had not given up. Another former Blade, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, found the net to secure his club a point with around ten minutes left on the clock. Rochdale had been resilient and their determined performance won the Greater Manchester club a point against the league-leaders, and it could have been more.
Rochdale 3 – 3 Sheffield United – Panic at the back post with a man in space #sufc #twitterblades
— S24SU.com (@s24su) March 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/fowlerreece/status/838066315843813378
Fair play @officiallydale only team to actually have a go and not put every man behind the ball for 90 minutes
— Ben Ward (@BenWard97) March 4, 2017
FT: Rochdale 3-3 Blades. Plenty of goals, but United fortunate to hold onto a point in the end in fairness. #sufc #twitterblades
— Blades Mad (@Blades_Mad) March 4, 2017
Sheffield United can be comforted by the results of Scunthorpe United and Bolton Wanderers, who both failed to win, but with the former losing to Fleetwood Town it means that Uwe Rosler’s side are just five points behind the Blades. Roster’s team host the Trotters on Saturday in what will be a important clash for all four sides battling for automatic promotion.
#twitterblades a few of the blades at #rochdaleafc today pic.twitter.com/7BHZesAFaW
— plat blade (@platblade) March 4, 2017
Thanks to the 3,500 travelling blades for your tremendous support today 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #twitterblades pic.twitter.com/iIu9aMfA0w
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 4, 2017
