Sport

Blades frustrated by brilliant Camp

By Matt Duncan
Published: 08/12/2009

A goalless draw with Nottingham Forest saw Sheffield United extend their unbeaten run to five games.

The home side had the best chances but could not find a way past the outstanding Lee Camp in the Forest goal.

The former England under-21 keeper drew praise from both sets of coaches as he made a string of excellent saves in the second half, most notably from Jamie Ward and Henri Camara.

United lacked composure on the ball in the opening stages, failing to get the ball down and play.

Captain Chris Morgan nearly gifted the visitors a chance when he lost the ball to Robert Earnshaw in his own half but United got men back swiftly and dealt with the danger.

Blades defender Matt Kilgallon showed a touch of class 20 minutes in, bringing down a high ball deftly at the back and starting a move that was ended by a foul on Jamie Ward. The resulting free came to nothing.

Both sides seemed unable to string a series of passes together, with the game seeming to lack a sense of purpose as a result.

Wes Morgan, the Forest centre half, was allowed the time and space to make his way, via a simple one two, to the edge of the home penalty area where he was eventually dispossessed.

The home fans had keeper Mark Bunn to thank after he was alert enough to dive at the feet of Dexter Blackstock as the striker advanced on goal after slipping the grasp of Kilgallon.

Five minutes before the break and the Blades found themselves appealing for a penalty. The ball was played through to Ched Evans, who with his back to goal, appeared to be pulled over by Morgan. The referee immediately waved play on.

The first action of note in the second period came from a United corner. Quinn whipped the ball in and Camp came to claim it but could only get one hand to it and was lucky to see his defence clear up for him.

Camp showed himself in a better light on the hour mark, saving instinctively from a Ward header after Quinn had put the ball in the area.

The former QPR stopper was again on hand ten minutes later this time to deny Quinn himself. The Irish midfielder raced onto a long ball from James Harper and managed to get a toe on the ball as it fell but Camp was able to beat it away.

The home side felt this was their time and as the volume increased they pressed forward more and more.

Substitute Henri Camara became another to be denied by Camp, before the Forest keeper made an absolutely crucial stop.

United had broken after a Forest corner, Quinn put the ball through to Camara who was denied by Camp diving at his feet. The rebound fell to Quinn who took a touch and shot only to see the outstanding Camp back on his feet and ready to parry the ball away.

Sheffield never came that close again. The last ten minutes were all United but even with five extra minutes they could not find a way to break down the wall of Forest defenders.

This draw extends United’s unbeaten run to five games but does see them slip back into the bottom half of the Championship table, three points off the play-off positions.

Forest Assistant Manager David Kelly

“Lee was excellent; he has made three or for great saves for us tonight.

“Sometimes you have to play what is given you. Sheffield United play a bit more direct than some teams and I think occasionally we got caught being careless on the ball.”

Sheffield United Coach Gary Speed

“He [Camp] was good tonight. If it wasn’t for him it could have been two or three.

“We have kept three clean sheets in the last five games and that is something we have been looking to do more.

“We kept 20 clean sheets last year and that got us into the play-offs.

“We are five unbeaten now and we will be looking to keep that going for as long as possible, there are shock results every week in this league.”

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