Match Report
The first 'derby' between these two teams this season saw Sheffield FC Ladies emerge with the spoils and take another small but potentially significant step towards their goal of the league title this season. Wickersley had made no secret about their belief that they were the better side, and their league standing going into the game at a place above Sheffield's would perhaps have suggested the same. However, some excellent recent results had given the visitors a quiet confidence and team solidarity that they knew was going to be fully needed today, and with the added incentive that a win would take them above Wickersley in the table, the scene was set to rival any United v Wednesday encounter.
Sheffield started brightly on a rare sunny afternoon, and could have been a goal to the good inside a couple of minutes when Jodie Crofts' shot was well blocked by the Wickersley defender after an excellent cross from the left by Helen Wakefield. A dry and very bobbly surface made it difficult for Sheffield to play their usual passing game in the first half, but a brisk wind at their backs assisted the side in playing the long ball game for a change, and by get good purchase from a number of dangerous set pieces. Rachel Charles ensured that Sheffield's early pressure didn't go to waste when she connected superbly well at the far post with a brilliant cross from Lisa Giampalma to head the ball back across the goal and into the far corner after just 13 minutes.
Wickersley fashioned their first effort on goal after 20 minutes when the pacey Lucy Ridley broke through the Sheffield back line but an advancing Caz Whiteman narrowed the angle really well and the striker's shot was dispatched into the side netting. Sheffield looked dangerous from a series of corners with Wickersley failing to convincingly clear anything that was thrown into the air towards their box. Charles headed over the bar in a slightly easier chance than the one she had scored, before great work by the tireless Giampalma released Jodie Crofts to send over a cross which Nell Taylor headed just too high. Lisa Bailey and Gemma Gale then narrowly missed the target with shots from distance, but Sheffield finally doubled their advantage just before the break when a Gale corner flew straight in with the Wickersley keeper, Francis Lace, unable to keep the ball out in spite of getting a hand on it.
So 2-0 to the good, but Sheffield had struggled to really get out of second gear and a number of players seemed a bit lethargic and were second to the ball on several occasions. With instructions to be more competitive in their challenges and quicker in closing the ball down, the visitors took to the field for the second half. A brief rally from Wickersley at the start of the second half saw them hit the crossbar from a corner and Sheffield had to be alert to clearing their lines including one fantastic sliding tackle in the box by Lauren Davids to nick the ball away from Ridley just before she pulled the trigger. With the half just seven minutes old though, a great move involving Giampalma and final incisive pass by Gale released Wakefield who drove up the left, cut in and waited for the keeper to come out before slotting the ball under her and perfectly into the far corner for a really excellent finish. Five minutes later, Bailey finished off another good Sheffield attack thanks to great work again by Giampalma with a drive from the edge of the box high into the goal.
With the eager substitutes warming up, Sheffield hit the net again before changes could be made when Bailey dispatched a perfect lob over the keeper for her twentieth goal of the season so far. Michelle Fletcher replaced Christina Wright at left back and Sheffield's attacking play continued. A fantastic cross from Jodie Crofts on the right was well snatched out of the air by the Wickersley keeper to deny Bailey and Giampalma both screaming in on goal. Bailey then made way for Sophie Thomas to come on at right back, allowing Charles and Natalie Crofts the opportunity to both push forward, and Katrina Brett replaced Wakefield on the wing. A muted and tired Wickersley team, perhaps still weary from their match against Doncaster Rovers Belles the previous week, tried hard to find a consolation goal, but Sheffield's defence were determined not to have their afternoon spoilt and worked really hard to snuff out any threats on Whiteman's goal. With time running out, it was Sheffield who continued to press for more goals with several players including joint players of the match, Giampalma and Natalie Crofts, both going very close.
Overall, it was a well-deserved victory for Sheffield, and one that sees them leapfrog their neighbours into third place. The work ethic was once again superb with everyone playing their part, and they will need to fully draw on that team spirit in the coming weeks as they try to catch the leading two. Wickersley have a quick opportunity to avenge that defeat as the two teams meet again in a fortnight's time at the Bright Finance Stadium.
Teams:
Wickersley LFC: Lace, Meadon, Johnson, Upton (Wong 65), Burke, Watton, Garbett (McGoldrick 79), Cutting, Upton (Thackerey 61), Ridley, Mudge
Sub not used: Crack
Sheffield FC Ladies: Whiteman, N Crofts, Davids, Wright (Fletcher 65), Gale, Charles, Giampalma, Taylor, Wakefield (Brett 76), Bailey (Thomas 73), J Crofts
Sub not used: Sutton
Goals: Charles 13, Gale 44, Wakefield 53, Bailey 58 & 62
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