Lift-off for dazzler Dom

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 13 April 2015


Athletic 2, Sheffield United 2

ATHLETIC fans have had to wait in frustration for Dominic Poleon to explode into life, but the forward showed why the club bought him with two great goals in a well-earned draw.

The ex-Chelsea trainee twice took passes from Danny Philliskirk and used his pace and power to bulldoze a way to two openings in a first half in which Dean Holden's side asserted control.

The first goal was a pure centre-forward's effort, getting the ball out of his feet before clinically dispatching it across Mark Howard in the Blades goal from inside the penalty area.

His second was about opportunism and raw power. After the ball had ricocheted off a defender's legs back into his path, former Leeds prospect Poleon instinctively smashed a 35-yarder that Howard did well to get any touch on as it ripped over him into the Chaddy End goal.

It was a spectacular hit, second only to James Dayton's brilliant effort at Swindon as Athletic's best of the season.

Poleon's terrific double, against a side destined for the play-offs, bodes well for a future containing more goals than the five he has scored since joining Athletic in September.

He could have had a hat-trick, though in fairness the chance, early in the second half when he had to wait a fraction too long for a cross to arrive before slicing wide under pressure, was as tough one.

Had he netted, there would almost certainly have been no way back for Nigel Clough's side, who had little answer to Athletic's streamlined approach in the first half.

As it was, a defensive howler from Adam Lockwood allowed Jason Holt to poke home and halve the deficit and with Stefan Scougall prompting, United smelled blood.

The equaliser had a scent of controversy. Referee Richard Clark ignored the advice of an assistant over a throw-in call and did the same in giving a corner to the visitors after Kevin Mulraine had signalled for a goal kick.

Holden made no excuses for the defending that followed, though. Set pieces have done for Athletic far too many times this season and when John Brayford nodded back across goal at the far post, Chris Basham's header was saved by Joel Coleman only for Jamie Murphy to slot in.

Athletic responded strongly as the game drew to its conclusion, but couldn't quite sign off the third-last home match of the season with a third goal.

Brayford and Murphy had pot-shots from distance but the Blades couldn't get much going. Poleon's brilliant, searing second put the Championship-chasing outfit truly under the pump at half time.

No doubt Clough had strong words at the interval. Two substitutions followed, though Jose Baxter stayed on the bench throughout.

Rhys Turner couldn't quite create a shooting chance as he broke down the left side of the box after 50 minutes and when Carl Winchester ran past his cross, Poleon couldn't make it count.

Had Anthony Gerrard been present on the field rather than injured in the stand, there would perhaps have been a more robust defensive effort as the equaliser flew in from Murphy.

At least Athletic, who had to withdraw Joseph Mills at half-time due to injury, didn't throw in the towel.

Coleman had to be alert to tip over Michael Doyle's strike and the same man smashed an effort against the inside of a post.

Long throws and a free-kick hit into the wall by Mike Jones were the best the home side could do to threaten a winning goal, but there was plenty of credit to take from another home draw against high-calibre opponents.