Match Report
The fixture between these two long-standing rival teams earlier in the season had seen Sheffield record an unusually comfortable 2-0 win. Four months on, and that match remained Castleford White Rose's last defeat in the league. An excellent run of form, which included a recent victory over leaders Howden Clough, had seen the hosts rise to second place in the table and with just a single home defeat in the league in nearly three years, White Rose were serious title contenders once again this season. However, Sheffield came into this game on the back of a fantastic win against higher placed opposition the previous week and with one of their strongest squads to date available. Knowing that a win for either team would significantly boost their title challenges, the scene was set for another classic encounter between these two sides.
The game was just 8 minutes old when White Rose fashioned their first opening: a strong break up the centre saw a ball played across the box which just evaded Danielle Sidebottom ghosting in unmarked at the far post. Sheffield responded a few minutes later when a corner was well defended by the hosts but the ball was played back in and Lisa Bailey attempted an audacious back-heel which had the keeper scrambling to the far corner of the goal to make a desperate save right on the line. From this point on, the game developed into a gritty, competitive affair with White Rose having the slight edge. The Sheffield defence were the busier of the two initially with Christina Wright, Lauren Davids, Sophie Thomas and Gemma Gale keeping the hosts at bay thanks to some brilliant tackling and totally committed defending.
The last 15 minutes of the half saw excellent chances fall to each side but both goalkeepers excelled themselves with fine saves to maintain the equilibrium. Grainger's strong interception and quick ball forward allowed Jodie Crofts time and space to dispatch a measured lob which just dropped passed the far post with White Rose's keeper, Aby Doherty, beaten. Then, after 33 minutes, Caz Whiteman produced the save of the match when Aimi Beresford broke clean through on goal but the Sheffield number 1 somehow managed to prevent a certain goal by a fantastic save with her legs. Christina Wright then cleared a header off the line from the resulting corner, shortly before Bailey saw her lobbed attempt from Lisa Giampalma's excellent interception palmed round the post by the White Rose keeper. Moments before the break, Bailey was through on goal but was prevented from shooting thanks to a brilliant last ditch tackle in the penalty area from the excellent Leigh Lapidge.
Sheffield started the second half in determined mood and could have been a goal up inside 60 seconds when Jodie Crofts was put through on goal with just the keeper to beat but the striker hit her effort straight into the arms of the grateful Doherty. The breakthrough came on 52 minutes when an alert Whiteman threw the ball out quickly to Grainger who carried it up the left wing to play in Bailey. Her pass found Jodie Crofts in space just inside the White Rose box and the young striker made no mistake this time with a strong drive between keeper and near post. Sheffield's celebrations were short-lived, however, as White Rose went in search of an equaliser which came in slightly controversial circumstances just under ten minutes later. A corner was whipped in and cleared by Sheffield but not without Bailey ending up on the floor with a head injury. Instead of stopping play, as is normal form, the referee waved play on as the ball was crossed back into the Sheffield box, and Beresford was on hand to lash the ball passed a helpless Whiteman. Sheffield's protests were to no avail and the game was right back in the balance one more.
Clare Holmes was brought on for Jodie Crofts and within 4 minutes, Sheffield were ahead again when a break again up the left saw Holmes square a perfect ball to Nell Taylor who side-footed her shot brilliantly from 16 yards into the back of the net to the roar of celebration from both the Sheffield players and the considerable away support. It was now end to end action as White Rose tried everything to get back into the match and Sheffield attempted to put the result beyond doubt by getting a third goal. Thomas cleared an effort from a corner off the line just minutes before Giampalma shaved the post with a shot from 20 yards at the other end. It was backs to the wall stuff at times with Sheffield hanging on as White Rose surged forward, but the defending from the whole team was magnificent with players throwing everything in the way to block shots, win tackles and get the ball away from danger. The visitors were still quick to break though, and with just over 5 minutes to go, player of the match Taylor looked certain to seal it as she homed in on goal with just the keeper to beat, but her shot was well parried and there was no-one following in for the rebound. Finally the whistle blew and Sheffield had beaten their long-standing rivals for the very first time away from home.
It had been another competitive and nail-biting game between these two teams but, as always, one which was played in a very good spirit with most players showing respect for their opposition. Sheffield had put in a complete team performance and worked desperately hard for each other to get this result, one which I am certain will prove to be vitally important as the season unfolds.
Teams:
Castleford White Rose LAFC: Doherty, Beresford, Greenwood (Clark 77), Pearson, Sherwood, Everitt, Lapidge, Bateman, Williamson, Stringer (Jenkins 68), Sidebottom
Unused subs: Walker
Goals: Beresford 61
Sheffield FC Ladies: Whiteman, Thomas, Davids, Wright, Gale, Charles (Wakefield 72), Giampalma, Taylor, Grainger, Bailey, J Crofts (Holmes 62)
Unused subs: N Crofts
Goals: J Crofts 52, Taylor 66
Player of the Match: Nell Taylor
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