Lee Williamson scored two impressive goals as United's second string ended a run of six consecutive defeats with a comfortable win.

Glen Little netted and had a hand in the other three goals as United hammered Walsall at Sheffield FC. Zeyn S-Latef was also on target in a fixture that saw Derek Geary and Gary Naysmith continue their comebacks from injury.

Going into the game United knew that they could not progress from the group stages of the totesportcasino.com league cup but the result was a morale-booster, as coach Mark Smith confirmed:

"It was a result we needed and the performance was better than in recent weeks. We had a good mix of youth and experience and they helped each other - which is what reserve team football is all about."

After the initial 20 minutes, when few chances were created as the rain fell in Dronfield, the Blades dominated. Reid had already had a shot deflected over before the opening goal was recorded. With 27 minutes gone, Walsall could only half clear a corner and WILLIAMSON arrived at the edge of the box to arrow home a shot that gave goalkeeper Oxley no chance.

Chances for Slew, Williamson and Little all followed before the second was added just before the break. From Little's cross, Maguire challenged McDonald in the air and S-LATEF took advantage to fire through a cluster of bodies.

The second half, after Billard made an impressive save from Nicholls, followed in a similar fashion and the third United goal arrived on 50 minutes. Naysmith crossed from the left and LITTLE simply nodded in at the far post.

United continued to look the more dangerous, despite the game being over as a contest and the fourth and final goal came on 71 minutes. Walsall once more failed to clear their lines from a set-piece and WILLIAMSON again displayed his quality with a controlled half-volley, again from the edge of the box.

Triallist Yaser Kasim, formerly of Tottenham, played a full 90 minutes in the heart of the United midfield but the experienced players stole the show as they attempted to catch the eye of assistant manager, Sam Ellis, who was watching on

Blades: Billard, Geary, Naysmith (Roe 62), Williamson, Maguire, France, Little (Chappell 74), Kasim, S-Latef, Slew (Foster 64), Reid.
Unused: Andrew, Brown.

Walsall: Oxley, Wood, Keenan, Hickman, McDonald, O'Keefe, Till, Davies (Geddes 62), Parkin (Grigg 66), Nicholls (Paterson 78), Adkins.
Unused: Partridge, Cooney.