WILL AT DOUBLE
Osula proves just two good for battling Gills
WILLIAM OSULA and James Mcatee hit a brace each as Sheffield United romped their way to the FA Cup fourth round at Gillingham.
They might be bottom of the pile in the Premier League but Chris Wilder’s talented side showcased the difference between top flight and League Two quality.
It was not long before the Blades were in front when Osula latched on to Mcatee’s ball in behind, dropped his shoulder and smashed home a low drive under Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner on 14 minutes.
Bizarrely, the strike looked like it had squirmed against the side netting at first glance as there was an eerie silence around the Priestfield Stadium for several seconds before Osula eventually raised his arms.
Even Blades boss Wilder, sporting a woolly bobble hat on the touchline, failed to immediately process that his side were ahead as he launched a delayed fist pump into the air. It would get better for the Blades before half-time, though, as danger man Osula doubled his tally on 39 minutes from close range after Turner parried Andre Brooks’ dipping long-range effort.
The 20-year-old Dane is yet to find the target in the Premier League but he could become a real asset in the agonising quest for survival, after backing up last week’s promising display at Manchester City.
Gillingham were not prepared to throw in the towel and they remained threatening from set-pieces – spurred on by their spirited supporters.
Oli Hawkins forced a fine save from Wes Foderingham when he headed Connor Mahoney’s free-kick towards goal.
The Blades defended valiantly, though, and could have killed the game early in the second half when Gustavo Hamer, Cameron Archer and Mcatee all went close. But man-of-the-match Mcatee soon made Gillingham pay when he was handed a gift inside the box on 83 minutes after a mix-up at the back as he gratefully slammed home.
The Manchester City loanee, who has taken huge confidence from his stunning winner against Brentford in early December, then fired home a cracker into the far corner from Hamer’s short corner to wrap things up with three minutes left.
Sheffield United have now won 19 of their last 20 FA Cup ties against lowerleague opposition and it was their first win over Gillingham in eight meetings.
GILLINGHAM: Turner 5; Ehmer 6, Ogie 6, Masterson 6; Alexander 6 (Clarke (60) 6), Coleman 6, Jeffries 6 (Lapse (86) 6), Malone 7; Mahoney 6 (Dieng (86) 6), Hawkins 6 (Bonne (86) 6), Nadesan 6 (Nichols (60) 5) SHEFF UTD: Foderingham 7; Seriki 7, Robinson 7, Norringtondavies 7 (Osborn (86) 6), Thomas 7; Brooks 7 (Souza (77) 6), Norwood 7, Hamer 8, Mcatee 9; Osula 8 (Brereton Diaz (71) 6), Archer 6 (Brewster (71) 6) STAR MAN: James Mcatee - Ran the show, scored twice and his dribbling and technical play was also exceptional. REF: Darren Bond 7