Sheffield Wednesday - Hillsborough Stadium

You think of the majority of the old-fashioned stadiums still standing from its heyday. Old Trafford, St James Park, Stamford Bridge, Carrow Road, and their city neighbours, Bramall Lane to name just a few. There are, of course more. Inside the stadium it looks (more or less) fresh as a daisy. Supporters home and away were housed in the Main Stand, which was last updated with its second tier in time for the 1996 European Championships. The seats look sun-bleached and the supporting roof installation is a far cry from Archibald Leitch's Cross hatchings which made he and English stadiums an early phenomenon.

Adjacent to the Main Stand is the North Stand with shiny new seats. To the right is the Kop which has, by in large, stood the test of time. To the left is the infamous Leppings Lane End which was the scene of one of Britain's worse football tragedies in the late 1980s. Though, this is all its fabrication. There are much needed improvements required to bring this weathered stadium up to scratch.

As a Sheffield United supporter, I've sat in this stadium many times, though in the away end. Perhaps, based on this my words are somewhat bias, however, a view shared by many neutrals. It's only twice previous that I've sat amongst the home faithful as a neutral. In November 2005, an England U21 fixture and, in 2008-09, a Steel City Reserves fixture.

Currently, both sides sit at the foot of their respective divisions (United in the Premier League, and Wednesday in the Championship) - a record neither side can boast. As a son of the city, it’s a crying shame that both sides are performing so poorly. Both sets of supporters deserve more. I'm sure that will come in time but (the here and now) is frustrating.

The Match

Despite the game being an Under-21s match, a hybrid of the former Reserves outlay, the game and its supporters treat the affairs in the same manner as a contested first-team all-city clash.

Having won the Development League last season at a cantor it was clear that the red and white contingent had reasons to be confident. Whilst they also began the new season with 19 points from their opening 7 matches. The Owls U21s came into the game second in the league with 12 points having played equal number of matches.

Unsurprisingly, United took the lead after 8 minutes as Andre Brooks exquisite run from his own third saw him feed in Hanson at the last who completed the move with a fine finish.

Both sides created further chances, though United had converted by far their best opportunity. The hosts came close on the stroke of half-time as a corner resulted in Blades stopper producing a point blank save from close range. But it was the visitors who had the upper hand at the break.

Both sides played splendid ball on the floor football. The Owls were rewarded shortly after the restart when a cross deflected off a Blades defender, cannoned off the crossbar, , and Cadamartari son of former Sheffield United, Leeds, and Wednesday striker, Danny Cadamartari, applied the finish - as the hosts profited from close range to draw the match level.

United re-gained the lead on 56 minutes after Brooks stole possession in the opposition third and his mazy run resulted in Buyabu slotting home on the angle.

United looked comfortable and the likeliest to register maximum points. However, the hosts snatched a leveller two minutes into stoppage time - firing home a loose ball to share the spoils in this mini-Derby clash.