FURD
Following the sudden-death win over Watford in the last round of the FA Youth Cup, Sheffield United's Under-18s, again including FURD referrals Aymen Tahar, Kyle Walker and Liban Abdi, were involved in more penalty shoot-out drama in their 4th round tie versus Aston Villa.
On a wild, wet and windy Bramall Lane night, Aymen Tahar opened the scoring with a spectacular volley following a long throw-in from Kyle Walker. Two goals by Villa in a second-half turnaround looked like spelling the end for the Blades youngsters cup dreams, before a deep cross by Tahar was converted at the back post by full-back Chapman in injury time.
Extra-time failed to find a winner, though Abdi was agonisingly close to sliding in a cross at the far post. With the penalties tied at 5-5, including a calm finish from Tahar, Liban Abdi's conversion was followed by a save by the Blades' keeper, leading to wild celebrations.
The Blades opponents in the last 16 will be Middlesborough, another club, like Villa, with an acclaimed Academy set-up. The 5th round tie will take place at Bramall Lane in early February.