A whirlwind first half performance paved the way for United's reserves to begin their totesport.com league campaign with a resounding success over a more experienced Nottingham Forest.
The Blades scored all four of their goals inside the first 25 minutes at Sheffield FC on Weednesday night. Two from Ishmael Lammy, either side of a Brendan Moloney own-goal put the hosts in command before Jordan Chappell converted from the penalty spot. Lewis McGugan scored in the second half for Forest, who had defender Joel Lynch dismissed late on for two bookable offences.
The home side took the lead in the third minute, LAMMY advanced with the ball from the halfway line and as the defence backed off, he produced a precise curling effort into the bottom corner.
In the sixth minute, some indecision in the Forest defence saw United make it two. Pennycooke-Morgan played in O'Kane on the right and his deep cross was headed in by MOLONEY, after goalkeeper Darlow appeared to have called for the ball.
Five minutes later it was three, James released Chapell, who beat Freeman down the right, before cutting the ball back for LAMMY to fire home from six yards.
The visitors were well and truly on the back foot and after Darlow had tipped over a free-kick from Maguire, Rodney upended Chapell from the resulting corner and referee Bristow had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. CHAPELL dusted himself down before stroking the ball home confidently from twelve yards.
Rodney and Lynch were both booked for the visitors as tempers threatened to boil over, before Adebola's mazy run forced Aksalu into a smart save. Hinchcliffe was then yellow carded for encroachment as McGugan saw his retaken free-kick go just wide.
The second half saw United pushed back for long periods, but it wasn't until the 70th minute that Forest broke the resistance, Adebola and Rodney combined to free McGUGAN, who strode past Maguire before finishing with aplomb.
Adebola, who was excellently marshalled by Maguire and Pomares, saw two headed efforts well saved, before Thornhill was denied by the woodwork. The night went from bad to worse for Forest when Lynch was given his marching orders after hauling back Pennycooke-Morgan.
Coach Mark Smith lavished the praise on the players and emphasised the importance of reserve team football:
"We won the game inside the first 30 minutes, but it was pleasing that we demonstrated good character and resilience in the second half when we had to weather the storm.
"We got roughed up a little bit but that is great experience for us and what reserve team football is all about. Harry Maguire has learned so much in that game, after going toe-to-toe with Adebola.
"It is vital that people play in reserve matches because that is when development really hits home and the lads are looking really confident at the moment after a good pre-season."
Blades: Aksalu, O'Kane (Darlow 50), Roe (Murray 85), James, Maguire, Pomares, Pennycooke-Morgan, Hinchcliffe, Chapell, Gregory, Lammy (Sykes 68).
Unused: Long.
Forest: Darlow, Moloney (Kay 65), Freeman, Lascelles, Lynch, Gibbons, McCleary, McGugan, Adebola, Rodney (Mullen 90), Thornhill.
Unused: Mytides, Meadows, Byrne.
