BLADES EASE PAST SWANSEA

United cruised to their first victory of February, with Swansea City comfortably beaten at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon.

Sander Berge and Jack Robinson scored at crucial times in the first half to put the Blades in the ascendency and Oli McBurnie’s late goal made sure another three points were added to the ever increasing tally.

Boss Heckingbottom made two changes from the starting XI that featured at Rotherham. Sharp started with McBurnie named on the bench, whilst McAtee replaced Osborn, as Fleck was named in the matchday 18 for the first time since November.

The opening ten minutes saw the visitors frustrate the Blades without really threatening, with Piroe testing Foderingham on the angle, with the goalkeeper having to be alert have fumbled the initial effort to deny Cullen on the rebound. But the game burst into life in United’s favour on 21 minutes

United Women recorded a much-needed win at home to Charlton Athletic thanks to a strike from Georgia Walters just before the break. In a hard-fought match with several feisty challenges, United deservedly came on top and fought until the end through seven minutes of added time to hold on for a crucial win.

The Blades made two changes as Maddy Cusack and Sophie Haywood came into the starting line-up, but the game took some time to get going as neither team created too much early on.

Bex Rayner and Walters as BERGE slotted home showing great composure with Bogle and then McAtee involved in the build-up. Having broken the deadlock, United went looking for a second to seize control of the game, Sharp saw a deflected shot claimed by Fisher, before Ndiaye’s header was claimed by the Swans stopper who had initially found himself out of position from Sharp’s cross. But with the last meaningful action of the first period, the Blades deservedly doubled their lead. Norwood’s free-kick rattled the crossbar with Fisher beaten and, on the rebound, ROBINSON struck home a beautifully timed left-footed half-volley. The second half lacked any fluency, not aided, but a number of soft free kicks, with McAtee and Cabango both cautioned, prior to worryingly skipper Sharp limping off the field, with McBurnie replacing him and almost having an immediate impact with a back post header. saw a couple of dangerous crosses cleared away, before the biggest talking point arrived on the half hour mark. Just after Sophie Barker’s corner hit the crossbar, the ball then appeared to be cleared off the line by the hand of Elisha N’Dow, but despite the referee and linesman being in consultation, nothing was given despite the protests of every United player. It mattered little though five minutes later when Walters struck the decisive blow. United broke forward and when Barker played in the striker, the Wales international calmly found