Both Sheffield sides are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after weekend wins at home.
On Saturday Sheffield United won their third round tie 3-1 against Conference South side Salisbury City. It took just 18 minutes for the Blades to break the deadlock. Chris Porter picked up a cross-field pass unmarked at the edge of the penalty area, and finished easily.
United got their second goal after half-time. Kevin McDonald’s shot was deflected and Ched Evans tapped home to extend the lead. Any chance of a cup shock was put to bed when Evans put in a low cross from the right, which Salisbury defender Daniel Webb put past his own goalkeeper at the near post.
Salisbury got their moment in the sun however. With four minutes to go, Lloyd Macklin, on loan from Torquay United, got on a bobbling ball at the edge of the box, and despite three defenders surrounding him managed to crack a shot into the bottom corner and snatch a consolation.
Sheffield Wednesday joined their neighbours in the fourth round hat on Sunday with a surprise 1-0 win against Championship high-flyers West Ham United. The Owls rode their luck during the game. A West Ham chance was scrambled away in the first half, then after the break the Hammers’ Winston Reid tumbled over in the box under pressure from Reda Johnson. Referee Keith Stroud awarded a penalty, but Sam Baldock’s effort was saved by Nicky Weaver.
With two minutes of normal time, Wednesday scored their winning goal. After a quick passing move, Chris O’Grady was released down the right hand side. Once in the box, he shot across the goal of Ruud Boffin and managed to beat the West Ham stand-in keeper. There was 11 minutes of injury time after Wednesday’s Julian Bennett was stretchered off, but the home side hung on in a weekend where there wasn’t too may upsets.
Wednesday travel to Blackpool in the fourth round, who they beat at Hillsborough on panalties in the Carling Cup in August, while Sheffield United will face a home time with the winner of the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Birmingham City replay.
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