Sheffield United 2-1 Notts County

Notts County’s first game of the season ended in defeat after Gary Liddle’s sending off in the first quarter of an hour allowed a strong Sheffield United side to earn a narrow 2-1 win at Bramall Lane. Chris Kiwomya, in his first full season with the Magpies, had a virtually full-strength squad at his disposal, giving debuts to Mustapha Dumbuya, Danny Haynes and Mark Fotheringham. Within the first minute, the Blades were given a free kick, which was taken by Jamie Murphy. Bartosz Bialkowski had to get his hands on it, but it wasn’t especially threatening.

Just a few minutes later, Fabien Brandy fell in the box under a challenge, but the penalty appeal was waved away by the referee.

Murphy once again tried his luck in the seventh minute; Notts giving the ball away too regularly for the travelling fans’ liking, but his shot was fluffed wide, while a minute later, Kevin McDonald’s through-ball was just a tad too heavy for Brandy, Bart coming out to collect.

Notts eventually got their act together and managed to force the first corner of the game in the eleventh minute, Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s cross being cleared behind, which was very nearly converted by Haynes, were it not for a good stop by Blades keeper George Long.

However, any hope of building momentum was thwarted when, shortly afterwards, Gary Liddle was spectacularly sent off for a high tackle on McDonald. More recklessness than malice, there still weren’t too many complaints as the referee produced a straight red for the Notts defender. Terrible error of judgement for the Magpies’ Mr Reliable, who played every single minute of every single league game last season.

A panicking Notts soon lost all their momentum, as the Blades began to assert themselves over the game, enjoying over two thirds of possession in the first half hour or so. Chances came from Murphy, Stephen McGinn and Brandy, with another Blades penalty appeal being turned down, before the imminent breakthrough eventually came, courtesy of McDonald’s finish, helped by Brandy and Darryl Westlake.

Notts had their moments in the first half, notably a Joss Labadie diving header from a free kick which went just wide, despite little pressure from the United defenders, and the team and fans felt hard done by after Haynes received a kick from Neil Collins, but aside from those, it was clearly all Blades. Brandy in particular was being a real thorn in the side for the Magpies.

The half ended somewhat favourably to Notts, given they could have been several goals down. As it was, just the one goal difference, but there would be plenty of work to be done to try and address this deficit.

No changes made by either side at half time, and service resumed somewhat after the return whistle, McDonald’s effort on 47 minutes forcing a good low save out of Bart. Just two minutes later, the midfielder attempted a shot from 25 yards, going just wide.

After dishing out yellow cards to Brandy and Mark Fotheringham for both teams, Chris Porter nearly doubled the Sheffield lead twice. The first time he blazed the ball over from just six yards out, and just two minutes later, his failure to react in time to a ball whizzing across the face of the Notts goal meant it was still 1-0.

The Blades would come to regret those missed chances, because Notts equalised in spectacular fashion. Just two minutes after taking the field in the place of Yoann Arquin, a stray ball fall to Enoch Showunmi, and lashed it into the bottom corner from over 20 yards out. An absolute beast of a strike, which surprised everybody.

Sadly, less than ten minutes passed before the Blades were in front again. An innocuous Notts challenge was penalised by the referee, and the awarded free kick was headed in by Harry Maguire.

An injury to Michael Doyle, the United skipper, caused a delay on 77 minutes, before a powerful free kick taken by Taylor was comfortably saved on 80.

Towards the final ten minutes, Notts nearly equalised in spectacular fashion again, as Fotheringham lashed a dangerous volley from over 30 yards out.

Sadly, it didn’t smash into the net like Showunmi’s effort did, and that was pretty much it for the Magpies, as the Blades saw the game out while nearly scoring a third.

A good effort from Chris Kiwomya’s side, but sadly Gary Liddle’s sending off was critical and had a major impact on the Magpies’ chances.