Sheffield United 3-0 Rochdale

Rochdale went down to defeat at Bramall Lane in a game that was overshadowed by a serious head injury to goalkeeper Dave Lucas who after an 11 minute stoppage was taken by ambulance to hospital. The Dale custodian was later given the all clear and returned to the ground before full time.

Dale manager Steve Eyre made 2 changes to the side that lost in the last game against Brentford. Injury to Marcus Holness gave Stephen Darby a chance at right back whilst David Ball got the nod upfront at the expense of Roland Bergkamp.

The home side, unbeaten in 5, were the first to take aim at goal. McDonald's weak shot was pushed around the post by Lucas. Eyre's side started ti impose themselves on the game but Adams' wicked right wing cross evaded everybody whilst Ball had a weak shot drift wide.

The on loan Ball provided a wonderful defence splitting pass to Adams but his shot was blocked by Simonsen.

Blades leading scorer Ched Evans forced a fine save from Lucas on 37 minutes and the former City striker netted the opener 2 minutes later. A long diagonal ball picked out Evans who raced into the 18 yard box and fired beyond Lucas.

Dale looked rattled at going behind as The Blades went in search of a second. A low cross from Williamson was bravely pushed away by Lucas whilst Lowton curled a shot wide. Another Williamson cross caused problems for Dale as Quinn flashed a volley wide.

As the 4th officials board was about to show 1 minute of added time, Lucas was caught by Evans as they contested a ball into the area. Immediately both sets of players showed their concern as the Dale stopper lay motionless on the floor. Medical staff from both Dale and  United raced onto the pitch and after almost 11 minutes of treatment, Lucas was taken away by ambulance to a standing ovation from everybody inside the ground.

Young keeper Matt Edwards came on for the 90 seconds remaining of the first period.

Rochdale needed a response from their players but it was the Blades who should have doubled their lead early in the half. A long punt over Barry-Murphy was picked up by Williamson who pulled the ball back for Evans who volleyed over from 3 yards.

Adams had a shot blocked with Bunns follow up saved by Simonsen.

Danny Wilson's men could sense a nervousness around the Dale backline with Edwards in goal and an innocuous cross was fumbled by the keeper but thankfully Dale cleared.

Moments later though and United were 2 up. Jean-Francois' cross to the near post was steered between Edwards' legs by Cresswell.

Adams had a chance to bring Dale back into the game just moments later but fired well over when well placed before the home side increased their lead.

Jordan was harshly adjudged to have fouled Creswell 30 yards from goal and Evans smashed home the free kick to end the scoring.

Dale were lucky to keep the scoreline at 3 seconds after the restart. A poor Jordan back pass allowed Evans a shot that was saved by Edwards with Creswell on the follow up seeing his shot cleared on the line by Holden. From the corner Jones headed another chance clear from under his own cross bar.

In the late stages, Dale forced a succession of corners which rarely troubled The Blades with Wilson's men holding out quite comfortably.

Next week's game against Yeovil has now got added importance as Eyre looks to avoid getting cut adrift at the bottom of League One.

Speaking after the game Steve Eyre said: “We have had a call saying Dave Lucas is on his way back to the ground in a taxi so that’s good news. He was knocked unconscious and was out for around 20 minutes altogether but nothing he is fine if not a little groggy. We came with a game plan and wanted to split the game into 2 periods were we would still be in the contest at half time. We wanted to take our time, slow the game down and quieten the crowd but the goal and losing David so close to half time was a blow. The opening goal was from a long diagonal pass that I thought we could have done better with. We knew they would try and take advantage of us having a young keeper in goal and they came at us in the second half. The first goal could have been stopped at source or defending at the near post. The 3rd was a free kick that are like penalty kicks to somebody like Ched Evans. Once it was 3-0, we knew we had to stick together and limit the score to 3 which we did and we drew a number of corners towards the end of the game but at the end of the day we will be glad to put this one behind us. It was a boost to be able to name Joe Widdowson on the bench after him missing so long through injury, he is hopefully going to be back sooner rather than later to full fitness.”

Att: 15,892

Rochdale: Lucas (Edwards 45), Darby, Barry-Murphy, Kennedy, Jones (c), Bunn, Grimes (Bergkamp 73), Adams (Akpa-Akpro 67), Holden, Jordan, Ball

Subs (not used): Widdowson, Tutte

Sheffield United: Simonson, Lowton, Jean-Francois, Doyle (c), Evans, Williamson, Collins, Creswell (Porter 84), Maguire, McDonald (Montgomery 88), Quinn (Flynn 82)

Subs (not used): Ertl, Long

Referee: Mr D Whitestone
Ass Ref: Mr G Johnson & Mr M Denton
4th Official: Mr P Gooch