Sheffield United FC Women

Sheffield United beat Reading 3-1 in the Women’s Championship at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday.  The Blades goals were scored by Ashley Hodson, Isobel Goodwin and Charlotte Newsham whilst Tia Primmer got the Royals late consolation one.

Reading had a few early corners, including one where some of their players ran from behind the goalline before it was taken, but these came to nothing.

Sheffield United’s Sophie Barker had first shot at goal in the 7th minute but this was easily gathered by the hosts keeper Emily Orman.  The home side saw Freya Gregory’s long-range effort deflected over three minutes later.  Tara Bourne’s free kick hit the post in the 13th minute as the away side went close.

Rachel Dugdale’s was causing the Blades defence some problems with her long balls forward.  The Royals next opportunity came in the 17th minute but Sanne Troelsgaard’s long-range effort sailed over the crossbar.  Lauren Wade cut in and saw her shot from 20-yards tipped over by Sheffield United’s goalkeeper Fran Stenson in the 23rd minute.  Wade had another effort at goal from the edge of the area two minutes later but this one was pushed away by Stenson before being cleared.

The visitors took the lead in the 33rd minute when Hodson got onto a loose back pass, went around the goalkeeper and finished from a wide angle.

There was some miscommunication in the Blades defence shortly after that almost let Reading in before the ball was cleared.  There were half chances during the remainder of the half but nothing to test either goalkeeper as the away side went in ahead at half time.

Three minutes into the second half, Sheffield United made it 2-0 when Goodwin won the ball off Easther Mayi Kith, run into the area then finished low into the corner of the net.

Jodie Hutton shot over in the 51st minute as the visitors looked to add a third.  The Blades seemed determined to be first to the ball and were rushing Reading in the early stages of the second half.

The home side saw a curling free kick miss everyone in the area three minutes later.  On the hour mark, the hosts had another opportunity when Stenson kept out a low effort from Dugdale before the ball was put behind for a corner.

Hutton sent a free kick from 25-yards over for the away side in the 65th minute.

Newsham made it 3-0 for the visitors in the 72nd minute when after Hutton’s great ball across had been played back to her by Bourne, she tapped in from near enough on the goalline.

In the 78th minute, Stenson made a good save to deny Josie Longhurst as the Royals looked to get a goal back.

The home side finished the match well and scored a consolation goal in the fifth minute of additional time when Primmer finished from close range after Stenson had made another save. 

The final whistle was blown a few minutes later meaning Sheffield United have now won three of their last four league matches.

After the weekend’s results, Sheffield United move up a place in the Championship to eighth whilst Reading drop three places to ninth.  Both sides next games are after the international break on Sunday 5th November when the Royals visit Birmingham City, and the Blades are away to Southampton.

Line ups

Reading: Orman, Dugdale, Houssein (Longhurst 60’), Primmer, Wade, Hendrix (Cooper 59’), Mayi Kith, Estcourt, Gregory, Woodham (c), Troelsgaard

Unused substitutes: Annets, Smith, Elwood, Medows Tuson, Jarvis

Goal - Primmer 90’+5

Booked – Primmer, Woodham

Sheffield United: Stenson, Newsham, Barker (c), Bourne, Sigsworth (Haywood 78’), Rayner (Kinzett 90’), Goodwin, Hodson (Wilcock 90’), Hutton (Connolly-Jackson 85’), A. Brown, R. Brown (Graham 85’)

Unused substitutes: Heeps, Docherty, Page, Adebowale-Arimoro

Goals – Hodson 33’, Goodwin 48’, Newsham 72’

Booked – R.Brown

Referee – Grace Lowe