UNCLE TONY WATCHES NEPHEW STUN BLADES
BARNET boss Darren Currie was bursting with pride after his nonLeague side knocked out Championship high fliers Sheffield United.
The caretaker boss is the nephew of Blades legend Tony Currie and only took over at the National League club following the retirement of John Still at the end of December.
But he could hardly contain himself as he celebrated a famous win in front of the Bramall Lane stand that bears his uncle’s name. “I spoke to him after the match and he told me he was very proud of me, he felt we deserved it, and had played very well,” said Currie.
“It is special. He’s my uncle, he’s a legend up here in Sheffield and a legend to me, in football and as a family person. It means a lot to me. “When I started off, I was always ‘Tony Currie’s nephew’ before I then managed to become my own name. “I’m thrilled with the win, but I don’t want to get carried away, I have a job to get. I want to be manager at this club.”
A first-half penalty from Shaquile Coulthirst proved enough but Barnet fully deserved their victory.
Currie added: “I’m so proud and honoured. I’ve only been in the job one week but I’ve always Yp I@:?8I; =@;C<I the football pyramid, striker Coulthirst was the best player on the pitch.
He found willing partners in wingers Medy Elito and Ephron Mason-Clark, who ran themselves ragged before all three were replaced by equally effective substitutes.
Even before Coulthirst calmly slotted a penalty past Simon Moore on 21 minutes following Richard Stearman’s foul on Mason-Clark, the visitors had been denied a goal by the assistant referee’s offside flag.
Once in front Barnet managed the game well. Midfielders Craig Robson and Charlee Adams provided a shield in front of their back four but if United did breakthrough, the centre-half pair of Dan Sweeney and captain Callum Reynolds quickly snuffed out the danger.
Early in the second half, Sweeney had the best chance to add to Barnet’s lead but stood on the ball three yards out at the far post.
United, third in the Championship, fielded a second-string team and played with none of the skill, passion or aggression which Chris Wilder’s side are known for.
The introduction of captain Billy Sharp and tricky midfielder Mark Duffy improved them but the Blades were never able to create a clear-cut opportunity to test Mark Cousins.
Sharp stabbed one effort wide and Cousins pushed a weak Clarke header onto the bar in the 89th minute.
Wilder said: “We, 100 per cent, deserved to lose, I have no complaints. They were the better team in every part of the game.
“As a club we have had an identity, whatever team we put out and whether it’s a pre-season game, a Championship match or a cup tie. That performance was one of arrogance, one of doing what they wanted.
“I’ve told the boys not to go out through the main entrance, they need to sneak out as they don’t deserve to go out of the front door.”