Sheffield United 3 Argyle 0: Match report

THE twelve days of Christmas are around the corner, we are told; this FA Cup game resulted in three tense pens - two past the keeper's gloves - and no Argyle to be found in round three.

Sheffield United of Sky Bet League 1 advanced at the expense of Argyle in an encounter that hinged on shots from the penalty mark.

Normally, a penalty shoot-out comes at the end of a drawn replay, but it was a miss from the spot by Reuben Reid at the start of the second half, followed by two conversions at the other end by Jose Baxter, that put this game beyond the Pilgrims. A late third goal by Marc McNulty concluded matters for a Blades side that looked unlucky to win in such a fashion after the opening exchanges.

With a change of competition came a change of shape. The system involving three central defenders was shelved in favour of a flat-back four, and with the change came the return of Ben Purrington, last seen being stretchered off injured at Accrington in September, now returning to the left-back slot. Also back in the team was Jason Banton, out of the starting eleven since the 1-0 home defeat to Wycombe, but having made a promising cameo as a substitute at Mansfield two weeks ago. Missing out were Lee Cox, who dropped to the bench, and Bobby Reid, requested to sit this one out by parent club Bristol City.

The game started at a fair clip. Argyle showed an early urge to get forward and remind their hosts of their intent. Banton in particular showed a willingness, playing centrally behind Reid, to get on the ball and affect the game. Kelvin Mellor also made an early, typically bombastic, run down the right flank, and it took an excellent tackle by Harris to halt his progress.

United though, as one might expect, did have a great deal of the early possession and territory advantage, although Argyle restricted them to few simple chances. A poke towards goal parried away to relative safety by Luke McCormick was the sum of their serious chances in the opening twenty minutes, although it took an assistant's flag - and a well-drilled offside trap - to halt Higdon when clean through.

At the midway point of the half, Argyle looked to have sprung the Blades' own rearguard. A perfectly timed exchange by Andy Kellett and Banton put the former through, and it took a bobble and some good attention by Chris Basham to make the promising attack fizzle out.

Lewis Alessandra then pounced upon a loose ball to burst down the right, squaring for Banton, who pulled his 20-yard shot wide. The increase in Argyle's attacking threat, coupled with a few stray passes by the men in red and white, was causing a few disgruntled mumbles amongst the home support.

Momentum was with the Pilgrims. Dominic Blizzard cut out a ball meant for Migdon, and set Reuben Reid on his way. The ball went via Alessandra and Banton before being laid back to Blizzard, who shot left-footed from the edge of the area. A sprawling Mark Howard could not get near it, but the ball found its way just wide of the post.

United hit back quickly, reminding Argyle of the might of the challenge, with a tidy move down the right that ended with full-back Ryan Flynn shooting not far wide of McCormick's left-hand post.

Jose Baxter headed wide from a Blades free-kick, before Argyle looked to hit on the break once more. Curtis Nelson intercepted a pass, danced between two attendants, and set off. He released Reid, carried on his run, and very nearly met the cross that followed. It took an excellent piece of defending by Basham to prevent the Argyle skipper from finishing off a move he was very much the architect of.

Seconds later, the increasingly-dangerous Banton was felled on the edge of the area, with Alessandra clipping the resultant free-kick not far over.

Despite the upswing in Pilgrims pressure, the good work was nearly undone when Anthony O'Connor made a rare error, dwelling on the ball and getting caught in possession. Fortunately for him, as United broke with a man over, their communication let them down, and O'Connor was able to gratefully retrieve the situation.

The preceding paragraphs may give the impression that the game was all Argyle. This was firmly not the case, and Sheffield were frequently able to keep the ball well for long stretches. However, Argyle did such a good job of marshalling affairs that noteworthy Blades attacks numbered very few. Their best source of attacking intent was frequently their right flank, with Jamal Campbell-Ryce a simmering presence.