Coventry City

American Striker Jack McBean netted his first brace for the club, while Ben Stevenson chipped in with his first goal this season. The scoring was completed by George Thomas and substitute Jordan Shipley, as the Development side shook off last week's defeat to return to triumph in style. 

A mistake in the Sheffield United defence nearly handed City an ideal start, gifting Welshman Thomas an early chance. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale failed to deal with a back-pass and Thomas, as lively as expected, nearly pounced. He rounded the ‘keeper before a last ditch challenge denied him the opening goal.

The Sky Blues would not have to wait much longer, though. A period of sustained pressure was rewarded as Stevenson delivered a fantastic ball into the box and on-loan striker McBean got in front of his man to put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute. 

Sheffield United’s first chance of the game fell to striker Caolan Lavery. After initially giving the ball away, Cian Harries raced back and produced a superb challenge inside the penalty area to deny the home side an equaliser.

Another mistake in the Blades defence gave 21-year old McBean the opportunity to score his second of the game. The striker anticipated a back-pass before rounding Ramsdale and from a tight angle pulled the ball across the six yard line, but the ball had just too much pace for an oncoming Dion Kelly-Evans to apply the finishing touch.

City doubled their lead ten minutes before halftime. Ryan Haynes, George Thomas and Dev. Kelly-Evans combined to send the latter in behind the United defence. Kelly-Evans beat three men before squaring the ball to McBean to clinch his brace, and net his third of the Development side's league campaign. 

It was all City as halftime approached, and only the goalpost denied a third goal. Firstly, McBean forced a good save from Ramsdale and Stevenson’s follow up smashed off the woodwork and away from danger. 

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, just five minutes in City had their third goal of the day. Thomas linked up well with Stevenson and the latter then beat his man inside the United box and slotted it past the goalkeeper.

Sheff Utd soon had a route back into the game from the penalty spot. A City corner was cleared up field and on the counter-attack Brooks escaped his man, but was brought down inside the box. Ben Whiteman stepped up to reduce the deficit. 

More pressure from Sheffield United followed, but after some solid defending by the Sky Blues they regained their three-goal advantage. Maycock found space on the edge of the area and slipped the ball through to Thomas who finished well. 

There was even time for City to add a fifth goal as two substitutes combined. Kyle Spence broke clear and squared it for Jordan Shipley to tap into an empty net and make it 5-1.