We're Back!!

It’s been a very long time coming, but the new season finally started today for Sheffield Women’s 2s with their home fixture against Boston Spa. After weeks of pre-season training, Sheffield were ready to hit the ground running, and they did just that with a 3-1 win!

Boston Spa started strongly and had the majority of possession for the first five minutes, even gracing the Abbeydale supporters with a mid-game shirt reversal due to a slight colour clash. But a quick break by Sheffield against the run of play, saw Estelle Wade and Ciara Whelan combine to find Sally Rawlings, who was able to go one on one with the goalkeeper and coolly slot the ball home.

Gina Lacey marshalled the centre of the pitch throughout the game, and the Sheffield defence and goalkeeper were able to hold firm throughout the first half, despite repeated Boston Spa attacks. Sheffield were unable to convert a penalty corner, but Ciara Whelan later managed to extend the lead when she got on the end of a Rawlings cross, taking the home side into the halftime break 2-0 up.

The second half saw Sheffield find further good form, with Estelle Wade quickly finding the back of the net. They started to readily implement their much practised press, and Emma Hammond, Kat Melson and Gina Lacey never stopped working in the centre of the pitch to give outletting options to the defence. Unfortunately, the home side were unable to maintain the clean sheet until the final whistle, with Boston Spa scoring a less than impressive goal from a penalty corner.

Sheffield continued to threaten but just couldn’t find another goal. They were awarded a penalty corner just before the final whistle…four attempts, multiple switches, no joy.

An honourable mention to Kate Burgin for some delightful second half ball juggling skills, which led to a lively post-match discussion about safety and rule-breaking, and Kat Melson, who defiantly declined to wear her socks the right way round today – love that.

Final Score:
Sheffield 3 – 1 Boston Spa
Player of the Match: Gina Lacey

A great start to the 2021/22 season!! Here’s to another three points away at Doncaster next week.