Yeovil 0 Sheffield United 1: Porter opens account as Wilson’s Blades overcome culture shock

SHEFFIELD United remain joint top after they responded well to the culture switch of playing at Everton’s Goodison Park in the Carling Cup in midweek to the rain-soaked rural surroundings of Huish Park in Somerset.

After the cup defeat to Premier League opposition, Danny Wilson’s side made it four wins from five League One games and the Blades chief said: “I thought it was a very determined performance. In what was a very physical game, we had to defend solidly, which we did. In the last 15 minutes, we had to defend against a real aerial bombardment.”

Captain Nick Montgomery was stretchered off in the second half following a clash with Wotton just before the hour mark but Wilson said: “We took Monty off as a precautionary measure. Things aren’t as bad as initially thought but we’ll know more in the next 24 hours.”

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Chris Porter scored his first goal since signing from Derby County on a free transfer but Wilson highlighted goalkeeper Steve Simonsen for praise: “Steve pulled off a terrific march-winning save late on, and it is a testament to how well his season is going. His overall performance was very calm and assured – he watched the ball very well for that late save, which was pleasing.

“Chris still needs games, but I think we saw what he is all about. He brings others into the game well and is able to himself in the right place at the right time.”

In a contest damaged by over zealous refereeing, United took the lead just before half-time when Richard Cresswell and full-back Matt Lowton combined for Porter to force home his first goal since joining on a free transfer after leaving Derby.

Yeovil’s misery was complete when Curtis Haynes-Brown collected his second caution in stoppage time and was sent off.

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Yeovil: Steer, Ayling, Huntington, Ehmer, Haynes-Brown, G Williams, Upson, Wotton, O’Brien (Gibson 85), A Williams (Edgar 45), MacLean (Fallon 82). Unused substitutes: Stewart, Bell-Baggie.

Sheffield United: Simonsen, Lowton, Maguire, Collins, Jean-Francois, Flynn (Mendez-Laing 87), Doyle, Montgomery (McAllister 57), Quinn, Cresswell, Porter (Slew 63). Unused substitutes: Long, Bogdanovic.

Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).

Man of the match: Steve Simonsen.