Tyrone..............................................................0

Sheffield United..............................................1

By Tommy Nethery

A RASPING pile-driver by influential midfielder Kingsley James proved decisive as the Tyrone seniors launched their Milk Cup campaign in disappointing fashion against a mediocre young Blades outfit at Parker Avenue, Portrush late on Monday evening.

United always held the edge against the Red Hand boys but in the end it was a defensive error that paved the way for the Bramall Lane outfit to maintain their interest in the competition for a further 24 hours at least.

Instead of clearing the ball first time, the Tyrone defence hesitated momentarily and the razor-sharp James needed no second invitation to crash an unstoppable 18-yard shot past the despairing dive of Ruairi McElroy, undoubtedly the county side's star performer on the night.

But for the Strabane lad's heroics between the sticks Tyrone would have suffered a heavier defeat although that would have been somewhat harsh on Denis McElhatton's side who weren't found wanting in terms of industry and endeavour.

And the Red Hands had one or two half-chances of their own, that had they been snapped up could have etched out an unlikely victory.

In truth, Tyrone had targeted the Blades game as a must-win fixture given that last year's beaten finalists West Coast Bayern lay in wait on day two of the global youth tournament.

And they almost got the dream start when the ball fell kindly for striker Stefan Lavery only for United stopper Sam Andrew to make an excellent save.Thereafter, Sheffield enjoyed the best of things with the dangerous Jordan Slew flicking on a Kalum O'Kane throw-in for Ismael Lammy to drill a volley into the side-netting.

Slew had earlier tested the confident McElroy, who on 21 minutes produced a magnificent leg block to deny James after Lammy had centred from the left.

The Tyrone defence of Ashley Lowry, Nathan Milligan, Joe Collins and the impressive Martin Gervin was coming under increasing pressure as Sheffield stepped up their search of a breakthrough. Time and again the English lads found McElroy impossible to beat and when they did Gervin was on the line to hoof clear.

It was 35 minutes before Tyrone emerged as an attacking force, Caolan McAleer tapping a quick free kick to forward Paul Stretton who rifled the ball narrowly wide of Andrew's right post from 25 yards.

At the other end McElroy again thwarted Slew but nine minutes into the new half the custodian could do nothing to stop James's thunderous snap shot fizzing inside his left upright. Tyrone introduced Stuart Glasgow, Ryan Clarke, Philip Wallace and Scott Spoule in a concerted bid to rescue the game but the best chances continued to fall to the Sheffield attack, the most notable when Slew blasted over from the left of the area.

Tyrone's only realistic chance of earning a share of the spoils arrived when Lavery again tapped a short free kick to Stretton, who was again off target.

Teams

Tyrone: McElroy; Milligan (Clarke 51); Lowry; Collins; Gervin; Edgar (Wallace 68); McAleer; Buchanan; Lavery; Stretton (Sproule 65); Noble (Glasgow 47). Subs not used: McGammon; Brennan; Crooks.

Sheffield United: Andrew; O'Kane; Maguire; Kennedy; James; Williams; Murray; Slew (Martin 62); Lammy; Gregory(Pennycooke Morgan 55); McFadzean

Subs not used: Darlow; Ironside; Wilkinson; Deakin; Whiteside.

Referee: R Hetherington (Dgn)