Going to a match for each round of the FA Cup continues on this blog, and in the 2nd round I'm at Bramall Lane for Sheffield United vs Torquay United.
These two were 3 divisions apart just 3 seasons ago, a promotion from the Conference for Torquay at the end of the 2008-9 season coupled with Sheffield United being relegated from the Championship in the 2010-11 means this is now League One vs League Two.
Both are in the upper reaches of their tables so far, Sheffield United in the play offs in 5th place, Torquay in 10th place but just 3 points below the play offs.
Torquay are boasting a mean defence - in their away league matches they've conceded just 1 goal per game, and they've conceeded just 2 goals in their last 6 league and cup games, including their 3-1 win away at Chesterfield in the FA Cup first round.
Sheffield United haven't conceded a goal in their past 3 league and cup games including their 3-0 home win against Oxford United in the FA Cup first round. They're also scoring over 2 and a half goals on average in their home league games, and Ched Evans is the man in form for them with 4 goals in their last 3 games.
Another potential talking point for them is the re-arrival of James Beattie, who originally scored 34 goals in 62 appearances between 2007 and 2009 before moving to Stoke City. Manager Danny Wilson is trying to assess his fitness and an initial short term contract until mid January has been agreed, with some rumours that this game against lower league opposition may be seen as a good introduction for him to the first team.
In terms of FA Cup progress, last season Torquay United went one stage further than Sheffield United - Sheffield United lost 3-1 at home to Premier League Aston Villa in the 3rd round, whilst Torquay United lost 1-0 to the then Conference side Crawley Town in the 4th round. The defeat was made all the more frustrating for Torquay as Crawley got the big money televised away tie at Old Trafford in the 5th round.
The 4th round is the furthest Torquay have progressed in the FA cup, whilst Sheffield United have won it 4 times, however these were far back between the years of 1899 and 1925. Recently Sheffield United have reached the 5th round in 2004/5, 2007/8 and 2008/9, the Quarter Final in 2003/4 and the Semi Final in 2002/3.
These two have never faced each other in the history of the FA Cup.
Of course the pre match focus is rightly about Gary Speed after the news of his death shocked everyone in football on Sunday. He made 37 appearances for Sheffield United in the final part of his playing career between 2008 and 2010 before managing them for 18 games before being appointed as Wales manager. Tributes will be paid before the match, including a minute's applause and wreaths being laid pitch side. Bramall Lane flags have been lowered to half mast and fans have left their own tributes outside the ground.
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