Sheffield United U23s thrashed rivals Sheffield Wednesday U23s 3-0 on Monday night at Bramall Lane with goals from Slater, Maguire and Cappello.
The Blades got off to a fast start courtesy of Slater, as the ball was crossed into him and he side-footed it into the bottom right-hand corner to give Heckingbottom’s side the lead nine minutes in.
Having been afforded space and time in the game by their rivals, Cappello was allowed the chance to have a free shot on goal from range, but he was unable to test Hall in goal for the Owls. Gordon attempted to play a long ball into Slater, who was just about unable to bring the ball under control, which would have seen him in on goal.
Luongo had the chance to grab an unlikely equaliser for Wednesday on the half hour mark, as the ball fell for him from a poorly cleared corner, but he could only fire his shot into a crowd of bodies before the home side cleared the danger.
Hall was fortunate to go unpunished for a misplaced pass out of the back which went straight to Cappello. He attempted to lob the keeper from range but couldn’t keep his effort under the crossbar.
Heckingbottom’s side were good value for their lead at the interval, but still only had a one goal advantage and The Owls still had chances of their own before the break.
Despite the visitors seeing more of the ball to start the second half, The Blades doubled their lead via a wonderful solo effort 57 minutes in from Maguire. The captain cut in from the right-hand side and nestled his shot just inside the far post and into the net to make it 2-0.
United had a third in the 75th minute, as Cappello took advantage of another poor pass from Hall, which hit the United striker from the keeper’s clearance and rolled into the back of the net.
Full time confirmed an emphatic win for Sheffield United U23s, who comfortably saw off their rivals to continue their title challenge, leaving their rivals bottom of the Professional Development League.
Sheffield United: Dewhurst, Starbuck, Gomis, Gordon, Grant, Neal, Maguire (Staniland 87’), Brooks (Peck 83’), Hackford (Ayari 75’), Slater, Cappello.
Sheffield Wednesday: Hall, Boateng (Trialist), Aguas, Agbontohoma, Thompson, Luongo (Glover 45’), Zottos, Byers (Trialist 45’), Adedoyin, Trueman, Al-Jahadhmy (Davidson 74’).
Referee: Jonathan Maskrey
