Rotherham United 0-5 Sheffield United: Blades Thump South Yorkshire Rivals | OneFootball

Sheffield United saw off the pre-season test of local rivals Rotherham United after thrashing the Millers 5-0 on their own turf.

Ryan Oné carried on his goalscoring form from midweek as he got the scoring underway on a very wet afternoon in Rotherham. The Blades had to wait for the second half to double their advantage and it came through Tyrese Campbell after springing the offside trap. Andre Brooks made it two goals in two games with another tidy finish. Tom Cannon made it 4-0 after firing a low-driven free-kick into the bottom left corner. Callum O’Hare made it five after some neat play from Cannon to assist.

Lineups

The Blades once again named two separate XI’s for each half.

First half: Davies, Sasnauskas, Ahmedhodzic, Norrington-Davies, Burrows, Peck, Marsh, Hamer, Ukaki, Moore, One.

Unused: Faxon, Easton, Blacker.

Second half: Grbic, Seriki, Bindon, Robinson, McCallum, Hampson, Caceres, O’Hare, Brooks, Campbell, Cannon.

Unused: Faxon, Easton, Blacker.

First Half

Ryan Oné in action in Sheffield United’s pre-season friendly against Rotherham United. (Image Credit: Sheffield United Football Club).

Sheffield United started brightly, asserting control of possession early on. Ukaki’s pace and directness posed constant problems for the hosts, and it was his burst down the right that created the first big opening. His cross was met by Moore, who beat goalkeeper Dawson, only to see his effort scrambled off the line. Marsh’s follow-up looked destined for goal, but a brave block kept the scores level.

That pressure soon told, though, and the breakthrough came on 15 minutes. Oné surged forward on a powerful solo run, weaving through Rotherham defensive line. His driven effort took a deflection on its way through and nestled past Dawson to give United a deserving lead.

Oné nearly doubled his tally moments later, cutting inside and then shifting it onto his left foot and forcing a smart stop at the near post.

Rotherham’s best first-half chance came in unusual fashion when a corner saw Peck’s attempted clearance ricochet off Oné and loop onto the roof of the net, but that proved to be a rare moment of danger for the visitors.

Second Half

As expected, Selles made a plethora of changes at the break, but United retained their intensity and rhythm. Within four minutes of the restart, the Blades doubled their lead. A precise through ball from Caceres split the defence and Campbell stayed composed to slot past Dawson in front of the travelling support.

United’s fluid attacking play continued. Seriki tested Dawson after neat link-up between Campbell, O’Hare and McCallum, while the latter also fired narrowly wide as United pressed for a third.

It arrived on 63 minutes however. Brooks seized on a loose ball in midfield, drove into the space on the right channel, and slid a calm finish beneath the onrushing Dawson to make it 3-0.

Rotherham had a brief glimpse of goal when McWilliams blazed over from a good position, but United remained in full control. Their fourth came on 72 minutes. Cannon was brought down just outside the area, and the striker took the free-kick himself, rifling a low shot inside the near post to extend the lead.

Chances kept coming for the visitors. From a deep Robinson cross, Brooks rose well, only for his header to strike Rotherham defender James square in the face, denying a certain goal. But the Blades weren’t to be denied a fifth.

On 85 minutes, Brooks sprayed a diagonal pass into the feet of Cannon, who slipped a clever ball through to O’Hare, and the midfielder made no mistake, curling it into the top corner.

Sheffield United will next face League One outfit Burton Albion on Tuesday evening.