The Cherries, however, were missing three influential players from the side that played so well up at Huddersfield the week before, namely Arter (suspended), Malone (injured) and Thomas (unavailable until January). Starting up front in a rare home 442 were Symes and Sheringham with Fogden playing wide right.
Garish strip or not, the visitors started brightly, passing the ball incisively and not allowing us to get a foothold in the game. Their No. 9 Evans looked a class act from the word go and with barely 5 minutes on the clock he found himself in oceans of space on the right. He proceeded to whip in a low cross which Barrett could only divert high into his own net at the near post.
This poor start by the home team was compounded soon afterwards when Cooper limped off with what looked like a calf strain to be replaced by Molesley.
The Blades thought they had doubled their lead when a defensive mix up allowed Cresswell to round Flahaven. His shot was goal bound, but Francis somehow managed to clear off the line with the Sheffield players adamant that the ball had in fact crossed it.
We gradually improved after that, but without really creating a great deal, A snap shot by Symes fizzed the wrong side of the post and we had a couple of set pieces, but I can't remember their keeper having to make a save.
HT: 0-1
We looked a bit better after the break and enjoyed more and more possession. However, we rarely threatened and the visitors were content to sit back and waste as much time as possible as we ploughed doggedly on. The game became very scrappy with numerous interruptions for petty fouls and injuries. The ref incurred the displeasure of the home crowd by halting a promising Cherries attack to allow a (very slightly) injured Blades player to receive treatment.
Indeed there was very little else to excite the crowd as we huffed and puffed to no avail. The result was put beyond doubt in the 74th minute when the impressive Evans scampered down the right flank before crossing low into the 6 yard box. Cook managed to get in the way, but could only deflect the ball past Flahavan for our second o.g. of the game.
Another disappointing home defeat, and very little to entice the floating supporter. No-one had a downright bad game, but there was little spark or invention. The absent players were sorely missed, particularly as we were playing one of the better sides in this league.
On the positive side, young Sheringham 
produced a few nice touches and may be one for the future, so he's my MOM.
AFCB: Flahavan, Cook, Francis, Barrett, Daniels, Pugh, Fogden, Gregory, Cooper, Symes, Sherringham
Subs: Jalal, Purches, Cummings, Molesley (for Cooper, 7 mins), Taylor (for Fogden, 75 mins)
Ellis Griffin, Chertsey