Sheffield FC Ladies v Blackburn Rovers Ladies

£2

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

SHEFFIELD FOOTBALL CLUB Established 24th October 1857 Full Members of The Football Association and Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA Ground: The Home of Football, Dronfield, S18 2GD. Telephone: +44 (0) 844 887 1857

CLUB OFFICIALS FOR SEASON 2018/19 CHAIRMAN Richard Tims MANAGING DIRECTOR Denis Koylu DIRECTORS Richard Tims, Jim Harrison FOUNDATION DIRECTOR Chris Dolby COMPANY SECRETARY Bill Towning

President: Alan Methley Head of Operations: Paul O’Brien Stadium Admissions Officer: Steve Muff Club Chaplain: Chris Booth Stadium Announcer: Lee Holland Hospitality: David Risely & Deirdre Risely Canteen: Janet Chater & Dawn Chater Stewards: Alice Bell & Dave Billing LADIES FIRST TEAM: FA WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH Head of Ladies Football: Helen Mitchell Manager: Kyle O'Reilly Assistant Manager: Chris Hames GK Coach: Nathan Wigfull Physiotherapist: Victoria Bishop & Ayshell Billard Pitch Maintained By: Premier Pitches

MEN’S FIRST TEAM EVO-STIK LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH Manager: Gavin Smith Coaches: Russ Eagle and Kirk Jackson Sports Therapist: Tom Blackburn Match Secretary: Stuart James FUTSAL: FA NATIONAL FUTSAL LEAGUE NORTH Managers: Sergi Saldanya Richard Moore Mark England-Woodcock SHEFFIELD FC MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2018/19 Editor and Production: Stuart James Photography: Joseph Smart and Ben Webster Layout: Henry Alves Cover Design: Joe Smart Content: Helen Mitchell.

www.sheffieldfc.com twitter.com/SFCLadies facebook.com/sheffieldfc

CLUB PARTNERS FOR SEASON 2018/19

PROGRAMME PRINTED BY MY Print Partners (Sheffield) 0114 399 8866 Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Welcome...

Manager’s Notes

ww.sheffieldfc.com

On behalf of everyone at Sheffield FC, we’d like to welcome you to this afternoon’s FA Women’s National League match against our visitors today, Blackburn Rovers Ladies FC. Blackburn Rovers are the reigning FA WNL Northern Premier Division and League Cup champions and have set the bar in recent seasons for all to follow. They have lost just seven matches in the past two seasons in all competitions, only two of those in the league, and have been the team to beat as everyone else has struggled to match their consistency, drive and ability.

It’s easy to forget that Rovers went through a major re-building process only a few years ago: having been playing at the highest level yet overlooked in the creation of the FA Women’s Super League, they then suffering a slide down the rankings. In 2013/14, Rovers finished the season in ninth place, their lowest position for ten years, but the turnaround since then has been simply inspirational. It’s something we as a Club, in our current situation, can learn and take encouragement from.

Sheffield’s manager, Kyle O’Reilly, gave his thoughts ahead of today’s match:

“After picking up our first points of the season last Sunday against Bradford City, and keeping a first clean sheet, the squad’s confidence has been boosted, just in time for our toughest test to date.

“Blackburn is quite simply the best team in the league right now, and we’re well aware of the magnitude of the test facing us this afternoon. They have quality and experience throughout their squad, and a management team that understands exactly what is required at this level, and how to get the best from the team.

“This season, they’ve added even more quality to their ranks in Charlotte Stewart, Beth Donoghue and Lauren Davies, and few would bet against them at this stage retaining the Northern Premier Division title for a third season running.

“Compare that with where we are now: only six players who have played at this level before, and over 60% of the squad under 21, and you start to appreciate the challenge facing us today.

“Yet, it’s also an opportunity as a young group for us to learn and grow. A lot of our players could be playing development or reserve team football against players their own age, but instead have made the decision to stretch themselves and compete at a higher level against well -organised and physical teams. Whilst it’s tough right now, it’ll be far more beneficial for each player and their own development in the long term, and will stand us in good stead as the squad grow and move forward together in the future.”

Thank you very much for your support once again this afternoon, and we hope you enjoy your time here at the Home of Football.

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

In S18 Rovers Today...

Blackburn Ladies

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Formed in 1991, Blackburn Rovers Ladies have enjoyed a glorious rise to the pinnacle of women's football.

Under the supervision of the club's Community Department and the watchful eye of Blackburn Rovers FC, the ladies team needed just seven seasons to reach the Northern Combination WFL. Following a move to the club's magnificent £20m Brockhall training complex in 2003, Rovers went on to lift the Lancashire Challenge Cup that season and become the first team to win the Northern Combination title with a 100% league record.

Promoted to the FA Women’s Premier League for 2004/05, Rovers enjoyed an excellent first season, finishing in third place behind champions Sunderland and runners up Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The flowing season was even better as an undefeated Blackburn set a Northern Division record in 2005/06, winning 20 of their 22 league games to lift the title and get promoted to the highest level of women’s football, the FA WPL National Division. Blackburn also lifted the Lancashire Challenge Cup for the third year running, whilst manager Andy McNally became the first coach from outside the top flight to be named Nationwide Manager of the Year.

Adam Lakeland replaced McNally at the helm in January 2007 and guided the ladies first team to a fourth successive Lancashire Challenge Cup, the historic achievement of two successive FA Women's Cup ‘Team of the Round’ awards en-route to an historic semi-final berth, plus a tophalf finish in the National Division table.

But Blackburn endured a disappointing season in 2008/09, losing the Lancashire Challenge Cup final on penalties to Rochdale and ending their league campaign in ninth place, but they bounced back in 2009/10, winning the Lancashire Challenge Cup for the sixth time in seven seasons and ending the league season strongly in seventh place, including an historic 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Ewood Park.

Rovers enjoyed a superb start to the 2010/11 season, losing just one of their opening seven league games, which saw them sitting pretty at the top of the table by the end of October.

However, the club failed to win any of their remaining league fixtures and were relegated to the FA WPL Northern Division on goal difference following a final day draw away to Barnet.

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Former Reserve team manager, Scott Rogers, was installed as new first team manager for 2011/12 and guided the team to the latter stages of all three domestic cup competitions, lifting the Lancashire Challenge Cup, and making a late promotion push in the FA WPL Northern Division, only to eventually finish fourth.

A new era dawned in the summer of 2013, as highly-qualified FA coaches John Prince and Matt Craddock became the newly-appointed management team. However, after winning just two of their opening eight league games, the duo departed in early November. Gemma Donnelly (interim manager) and former Rovers midfielder Amanda Goodwin (assistant manager) took temporary charge for the remainder of the season, overseeing Rovers finishing ninth in the FA WPL Northern Division, and runners up in the Lancashire Challenge Cup. Donnelly assembled a new-look Ladies squad for the 2014/15 campaign – her first full season in charge – and it would prove to be a successful one, as Rovers finished third in the FA WPL Northern Division and secured silverware by lifting the Lancashire Challenge Cup for the first time in three years, courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Morecambe in the final.

Rovers retained the County Cup crown in 2015/16, lifting the trophy for the 10th time in the club’s history, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Preston North End. After a couple of steady seasons in the league, Donnelly’s side took the FA WPL Northern Division by storm in 2016/17. The team enjoyed an unbeaten campaign – winning 17 and drawing three of their 20 league games – securing the title with four games to spare, as well as claiming the County Cup title for the third season in succession following a 1-0 victory over AFC Fylde. But the season ultimately ended in disappointment, as Rovers’ hopes of promotion to the FA Women’s Super League were dashed following a 3-0 defeat to Southern Division champions Tottenham Hotspur in the play-off final.

It would be a similar story in 2017/18, as Rovers once again enjoyed an outstanding season in the league and cup competitions, retaining the FA WPL Northern Division title and Lancashire Cup, as well as lifting the FA WPL Cup for the first time in the club’s history, after coming from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1. However, the treble winners would suffer play-off heartbreak once again, as they missed out on possible promotion to the FA WSL following a 2-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic in the Championship Play Off Final, and their subsequent application to enter the newlyformed Championship was rejected after appeal.

Fact File

.

Name: Founded: FA WPL since: Last season: Best season:

Blackburn Rovers LFC 1991 2004/05 1st, Northern 6th, National (06/07)

Ground: Capacity: Manager: Coach: Captain:

Sir Tom Finney Stadium 3,000 Gemma Donnelly Amanda Goodwin Lynda Shepherd

Honours FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division - 05/06; 16/17 & 17/18 FA Women’s Premier League Cup - 17/18 Northern Combination WFL - 03/04 Lancashire Challenge Cup - 03/04 to 07/08; 09/10 to 11/12; 14/15 to 17/18 Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Ones To Watch

Blackburn Rovers Ladies

ww.sheffieldfc.com

It’s hard to single out three players from a team littered with the highest quality the FA WNL has to offer, so fans of the women’s game are in for a treat this afternoon and will witness a side at the very top of their game.

4. Lynda Shepherd Midfield Played: 222, Goals: 48

There are few players in the FA Women’s National League who can compete with the calibre, success and longevity of Lynda Shepherd.

A tough tackling midfielder with over 200 appearances for Rovers, she has captained the team to the Northern Premier division title in the past two seasons, as well as the League Cup last year. This is the midfielder’s second spell with Rovers, having been at the club between 2004 & 2010, re-joining from Manchester City in 2014. The esteem in which Shepherd is held by her peers was demonstrated by her winning the FA WPL Players’ Player of the year for 2016. Simply, she’s one of the very best at this level, and it’s a privilege to be able to still see her competing at the very top after 14 years in senior football.

9. Saffron Jordan Forward Played: 97, Goals: 64 Goal-machine Saffron Jordan has led the line at Blackburn for the past three seasons, joining the club in 2015 from Manchester City. Naturally a striker, but capable of playing anywhere across the front three, Jordon possesses an incredible work rate and uses her strength and pace to bring others into play. With over 60 goals in her time at Blackburn, she has played a massive part in the club’s recent league and cup successes, and Sheffield’s defenders will have their work cut out this afternoon to try and keep her quiet, a task few teams have managed to do!

10. Natasha Flint Midfield/Forward Played: 20, Goals: 22 Arguably the most talented attacking playing in the FA WNL, Natasha Flint had spent a number of seasons at FA WSL clubs before joining Blackburn Rovers just last season. Still just 22 years old, Flint has amassed a range of experience already in her short career. She signed a two-year contract with Man City aged 17, before an unsettled spell at Notts County, then arrived at Sheffield FC for the 2017 Spring Series.

She played just six matches for Fylde at the start of the 2017/18 season, but has found her home at Rovers where the England WU23s has started once more to show the form that has kept her a regular in the England youth teams throughout. Strong, quick and ruthless in front of goal, you will see few better players at the Home of Football this season.

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Sheffield FC

Player Profiles 1. Lauren Santoro

Position: Goalkeeper Birth place: Rotherham Date of birth: 02.06.95 Joined SFC: August 2015 Lauren returns to the Club after two seasons away, having initially joined back in 2015 as the ladies development team started competing in the FA Women's Super League. She was part of the squad that finished runners up behind Sunderland that season, and lost in extra-time to Arsenal in the Development Cup final. Lauren is a great shot stopper and a vocal keeper with good experience of football at this level which will be vital to the squad this season.

1

Position: Defence Birth place: Doncaster Date of birth: 25.08.97 Joined SFC: January 2016 Holly joined the Club during the 2015/16 season after expressing a wish to move from Doncaster Rovers Belles Development. A strong, quick, and tenacious fullback who likes to get forward, Titch offered good and versatile options for the development team’s successful first WSL season.

Consistently strong performances saw her rewarded with recent first team appearances, and she takes on one of the senior roles in this season's new squad.

3

4. Ellie White

2. Molly Havard Position: Defence Birth place: Sheffield Date of birth: 14.06.00 Joined SFC: July 2016 Molly started her football career as a junior player for Sheffield FC Girls, but progressed to the Sheffield United Girls' Centre of Excellence where she spent two seasons. An attacking full-back with superb pace and energy, who divides her time between football and high level women’s cricket, Molly is a good young prospect and has progressed well since joining the club two seasons ago.

2

3. Holly Housley

Position: Midfield Birth place: Wakefield Date of birth: 14.02.98 Joined SFC: July 2018 Ellie joins the Club this season from Bradford City where she has spent the past season. An attack-minded midfielder with an eye for goal, Ellie was City's third highest scorer last season, and the 20-year old's experience of the FA Women's National League will prove invaluable as Sheffield FC looks to settle to life back at Tier 3 of the women's game.

4

5. Ruth Likara

Position: Defence Birth place: Nairobi Date of birth: 30.12.00 Joined SFC: July 2017 Joining last summer from York City Regional Talent Club, Ruth is a confident and assured centre half with great prospects for the future. Strong, quick, brave and intelligent, Ruth has trained regularly with the England WU18 squad over the past season, and has proved a super addition to the Club. She will be one of the team’s key players this season, and we’re delighted to keep her at Sheffield FC.

5

6. Jade Butcher

Position: Defence Birth place: Barnsley Date of birth: 28.10.01 Joined SFC: July 2018 Jade is a young defender who joined the Club this summer after impressing at development team trials, and now finds herself in the first team set up. Tall, strong and fearless, Jade has spent the past few seasons at York City RTC playing mainly as a centre half, but in her formative years as a striker.

She has the opportunity to develop her game against the best the FA WNL has to offer, and at just 16, she is sure to benefit from the exposure and grow as a player.

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

6

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Player Profiles 7. Ellie Russell

Position: Midfield Birth place: Manchester Date of birth: 22.03.01 Joined SFC: July 2017 A new signing last season, Ellie has spent the past 12 months at the highly thought of Blackburn Rovers Regional Talent Club, having been at Everton prior to that. A very good technical player with a good footballing brain, Ellie is keen to push herself and continue her learning. Capable of playing in centre midfield or at full-back, we look forward to seeing her develop further this season.

7

8

Sheffield FC 9. Lisa Giampalma

Position: Forward Birth place: Nottingham Date of birth: 02.09.1983 Joined SFC: July 2007 With the most all-time appearances of any female player at the Club, Lisa re-joins Sheffield FC after three seasons away. One of the hardest working and now most experienced in the team, her presence will be vital in settling the new and young squad into life back in tier three. Not only has Lisa won 12 team trophies in that time, but she has also collected a whole stack of individual playing awards, and we are all delighted to see her back in red and black.

9

8. Ellie Hawcroft Position: Midfield Birth place: Barnsley Date of birth: 20.10.00 Joined: July 2017 Ellie joined Sheffield FC last season having spent one year at Sheffield United Girls' Centre of Excellence but spent most of her junior years at Worsbrough Bridge JFC. A hugely committed player with a willingness to learn and improve, Crofty is a tough tackling central midfielder with good ability in the air.

ww.sheffieldfc.com

10. Milly Wortley

Position: Midfield Birth place: Sutton Date of birth: 20.08.02 Joined SFC: July 2018 Milly was recruited over the summer for the development team, but now finds herself stepping up to first team football in her debut season at senior level. Just 16, Milly is a real talent who has spent most of her formative years in boy's football prior to one season at Leicester City's RTC in 2017/18.

Technically adept with a good understanding and a great appetite to learn and progress, Milly is definitely one to watch this season, and we look forward to seeing her grow and develop as a player here.

10

11. Molly Johnson

Position: Midfield Birth place: Sheffield Date of birth: 09.12.96 Joined SFC: January 2016 Molly joins Sheffield FC having spent the past two seasons at Derby County, and her formative years rising through the ranks at the Sheffield United Girls' Centre of Excellence. She had a brief spell at the Club in 2016, playing development team football. A tough, quick and powerfully defender, Molly is a versatile fullback also capable of playing further forward and she will bring good options to the team for the new season in the FA Women's National League.

11

12. Millee Clarke

Position: Forward Birth place: Mansfield Date of birth: 23.08.00 Joined SFC: July 2017 Millee was a new signing last season, and a very welcome one.

She spent a season with Notts County Development after graduating from Derby County Girls' Centre of Excellence in 2016, and is a strong forward with plenty of flair and promise. An attacking player who can play anywhere across the front line, Millee will be shouldering greater responsibilities this season and we expect her to flourish.

12

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Player Profiles 13. Elizabeth Hobson

Position: Goalkeeper Birth place: Manchester Date of birth: 13.10.99 Joined SFC: July 2016 Joining the Club for the start of the 2016/17 season, Liz has had previous experience at Everton and Stoke City's Girls' Centres of Excellence. Another excellent young prospect with superb shotstopping skills, Liz is part of a strong goalkeeping contingent at the Club and will be looking to develop her game and experience between the posts again this season.

13

14. Jess Heald

Position: Defence Birth place: Sheffield Date of birth: 15.04.97 Joined SFC: August 2010 Jess returns to the Club after a season away at Guiseley Vixens whilst at university in Leeds.

A player for Sheffield FC since junior level, Jess graduated up to the reserves in 2013/14 with several appearances for the first team in 2014/15. A full back with great pace, determination, and a willingness to get forward, we're delighted to welcome Jess back to the Club this season.

14

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Sheffield FC 16. Rosa Neary

18. Megan Tinsley

Position: Defence Birth place: Sheffield Date of birth: 09.09.91 Joined SFC: August 2018 Rosa will be a familiar face to longstanding fans of Sheffield FC having played against Club back in 2008/09 and 2009/10 for her lifelong club, Sheffield United. Since then, she spent time in the USA studying, returning in 2015/16 and helping them bounce back from the previous season’s relegation. Last season’s first team captain, Neary has had to face the massive wrench of leaving United following their selection for the FA WC, but we’re delighted she has signed up for Club this season.

Position: Defence Birth place: Chesterfield Date of birth: 03.01.98 Joined SFC: July 2016 Megan was another strong addition to the Club in the summer of 2016 and a player who has great potential to progress here. A quick, powerful forward, Megan has England youth team experience and good first team experience having spent a season with Derby County in the FA Women's Premier League. A quick left-sided player who can play full-back or further forward, Megan will be an important part of the squad this season.

Position: Defence Birth place: Sheffield Date of birth: 02.10.97 Joined SFC: June 2014 Now one of the more experienced development team players, Leigha has come on massively since joining the Club in 2014/15 from Sheffield United Girls' Centre of Excellence, and has been an important member of the squad over the past three seasons. She is composed, strong in the tackle, good in the air, and can play anywhere across the back four.

Position: Defence Birth place: Sheffield Date of birth: 27.05.97 Joined SFC: August 2018 New to Sheffield FC this season, Paige is a young attack-minded fullback who has come through the later junior ranks at Sheffield United, joining the Blades in 2012 aged 15. She broke into the first team at United at 17, playing at Tier 5 and latterly Tier 4. Known for scoring some spectacular long range goals, Paige caught the eye of the current coaching team over the summer, and has been drafted in for the new season and a new personal challenge.

16

17. Leigha Goodwin

17

18

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

19. Paige Wainwright

19

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Player Stats

2018/19 Appearances

Goals

Name

L

C

F

Ttl

Alltime

L

C

F

Ttl

Alltime

Butcher, Jade

3

1

1

5

5

0

0

0

0

0

Clarke, Millee

1

1

3

5

5

0

0

0

0

0

Giampalma, Lisa

3

1

4

8

270

1

0

1

2

116

Goodwin, Leigha

3

1

4

8

10

0

0

0

0

0

Havard, Molly

2

1

1

4

4

0

0

0

0

0

Hawcroft, Ellie

3

1

4

8

8

0

0

0

0

0

Heald, Jess

2

0

2

4

18

0

0

0

0

1

Hobson, Elizabeth

3

0

4

7

9

0

0

0

0

0

Housley, Holly

3

1

4

8

38

0

0

0

0

6

Johnson, Emma

1

1

0

2

146

0

0

0

0

42

Johnson, Molly

3

1

4

8

9

0

0

1

1

1

Likara, Ruth

1

0

4

5

5

0

0

0

0

0

Neary, Rosa

3

0

0

3

3

0

0

0

0

0

Russell, Ellie

1

1

2

4

4

0

0

0

0

0

Tinsley, Megan

3

1

4

8

9

1

0

1

2

2

Wainwright, Paige

0

0

3

3

3

0

0

0

0

0

White, Ellie

3

0

3

6

6

2

0

1

3

3

Wortley, Milly

1

1

2

4

4

0

0

0

0

0

Opposition own goal

0

0

1

1

-

Totals

4

0

6

10

-

Correct as of 09.09.18 Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

FA Women’s National League Week 3 Review

Week 1 Review

After round 1 of the League Cup, it was back to the business of the league last Sunday with a full schedule for week 3 of the season.

Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-2 Middlesbrough Doncaster Rovers Belles’ wait for their first points of the FA WNL Northern Premier division season continues after they fell to a 2-0 home victory to Middlesbrough (pictured). The visitors put the Belles under pressure from the off with Emily Scarr posing a bit threat. Sarah Cramer opened the scoring for ‘Boro after 32 minutes, powering the ball into the top corner after Doncaster failed to clear a cross. The visitors doubled their lead midway through the second half, with substitute Eleanor Dale powering a header past Batty from a corner. Scarr could have made it three just a couple of minutes later after going clear through on goal off a defence-splitting pass, but player of the match, Emily Batty, came off her line superbly to smother the danger.

Derby County 1-0 Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest were condemned to their first defeat of the season as they were beaten 1-0 by Derby County in front of a stellar crowd of over 2,000 supporters at Pride Park Stadium. Forest were made to rue missed chances as they peppered the Derby goal in the first half only to see the Rams take the lead against the run of play with the last action of the first half – Amy Sims rising highest to meet a corner and head the ball beyond Becky Thomas in the Forest goal.

The Reds missed a great opportunity to draw level in the 55th minute when Sammy Conroy rose highest to connect with a corner, flicking her effort back across the face of goal where it narrowly evaded Middleton's boot as it brushed past the post.

Guiseley Vixens 2-4 Stoke City Stoke City continued their perfect start to the season with a third league win to stay top of the league thanks to a 4-2 win away at Guiseley Vixens (pictured).

After a fairly even open period, the game turned in Stoke’s direction thanks to two brilliantly taken free kicks by Faye McCoy. The midfielder’s first was drilled low into the bottom corner, before Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

bending the second effort around the wall and into the back to give the Potters a 2-0 lead. Stoke seemingly made sure of the points when captain Meg Bowyer rifled past Bethan Davies from close range 10 minutes into the second half. But Guiseley fought back into the game with two quick goals from Ella Hartley then Ellie Olds with a wonderful curled shot beyond Stacey Wright. The visitors dug deep in the final 20 minutes and restored their two-goal advantage when Hannah Keryakoplis beat her marker and put in a low cross that substitute Ashleigh Hayes tapped home.

Huddersfield Town 2-3 Sunderland AFC Huddersfield suffered their first defeat of the season as Sunderland settle into life in the FA Women’s National League. The visitors were ahead as early as the 6th minute as Emily Hutchinson hit an excellent strike into the top corner. Huddersfield had the better of the first half chances but, with half-time approaching, the hosts fell to a sucker punch when a long ball over the top was latched on to by Molly Lambert who lobbed keeper Charlotte Oates.

Town’s fightback started early in the second half as Charley Evans slotted the ball home from close range following a goal mouth scramble on 50 minutes. And when Katie Nutter was upended in the penalty area just five minutes later, Kate Mallin stepped up to equalise from the spot. As the half wore on, Sunderland started to press forward and in the last ten minutes, they were awarded a free kick just outside Town's box which was passed to one side for Lambert to smash the ball home and Sunderland maximum points.

Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Hull City It was business as usual for Blackburn Rovers last Sunday as they dispatched Northern Division newcomers Hull City by a 2-0 score line. Natasha Flint (pictured), back in the squad after England WU23s duty, opened the scoring for the hosts with 13 minutes gone, and continued to be a thorn in Hull’s side for much of the half creating the best Rovers’ chances.

Blackburn doubled their lead just before half time when Saffron Jordan held the ball up well and laid it off for Hannah Walsh to apply the finishing touch.

An uneventful second half was marred only by a late injury to Flint whose removal meant Rovers saw out time with ten players but were never really troubled

by City who still search for a first win of the season.

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

FAThis Women’s National League Weekend’s Fixtures Derby County take a break from matches this Sunday with everyone else in action as below:

MATCH OF THE WEEK Middlesbrough v Huddersfield Town Fourth-placed Huddersfield Town travel to Teesside this afternoon, having suffered a first defeat of the season last Sunday to Sunderland.

It’s the second time the two teams have met this season already, with Town having knocked Middlesbrough out of the League Cup just a fortnight ago by a 3-0 score line. Huddersfield have built a team who should be regularly finishing in the top few placings, but too often in recent seasons have been inconsistent, losing to sides well below them in the table.

Today will be a test of their character, and to see if they can bounce back from the Sunderland defeat, and keep pace with the leading group.

Kelsey Byrne’s (pictured) side, meanwhile, have had two excellent seasons since re-joining the Northern Premier Division, finishing as runners up in 2016/17 and third last season, three places above the Terriers. They’ve had a mixed start to the season though, with defeat to Derby on the opening day, but wins against Sheffield and then Doncaster Rovers Belles last Sunday. With key personnel back having been absent for the start of the season, this afternoon’s match will be a stern test of Boro’s credentials to repeat their success of the past two years.

Prediction: Huddersfield Town win Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Club in Action

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Sheffield FC 2 Bradford City 0 FA Women’s National League North Home of Football, Dronfield Sunday, 9th September 2018 Early goals in both halves of the match ensured Club picked up their first three points of the new FA Women’s National League season with a 2-0 victory over Bradford City.

Both teams started the day with 0% records from their opening fixtures in league and cup, and both were determined to get their season up and running in this Yorkshire derby.

The opening stages were typically energetic with both sides looking to press and cause issues, but with little real calmness and quality on the ball to open each other up.

That was until the 12th minute when a nice Sheffield move down the right hand side created enough space for Ellie White to turn her marker and rifle and effort at goal. Bradford's keeper, Aimee Routledge, came to make the save but the shot eluded her and crept in at the near post.

Sheffield should have settled from this point and continue to press forward, but took their foot off the gas, with some players trying to do too much individually instead of continuing to play as a team.

By contrast, the goal seemed to inject more life into the visitors though, who began to launch the ball at the Sheffield back-line, with their main threat coming from the long ball. One free-kick effort was well saved by Sheffield keeper, Liz Hobson, before Jade Butcher needed to clear off the line from the rebound to keep the hosts ahead.

After this flurry, Sheffield began to assert some dominance again, moving the ball better through the midfield and creating a few openings. Just before the break, an excellent ball by Holly Housley found the feet of Lisa Giampalma in the box, who controlled the ball on a six pence before laying it off to Ellie Hawcroft who rifled a shot to the near post which was blocked just wide of the target.

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Sheffield came out of the blocks quickly for the second half, with White getting an early shot away from the left-hand side after some impressive combination play, Routledge this time reacting well and pushing the shot aside.

The Sheffield pressure continued, and a free-kick was won 25-yards from goal. Up stepped Megan Tinsley, after a deceptive run over the ball from White parted the wall and, through the gap created, Tinsley curled a superb measured effort into the top left hand corner for 2-0.

Again however, it was the visitors who responded best to the change in score line as Sheffield sat back once more, and Bradford began to press Sheffield. This unsettled the hosts, causing them to rush and give possession away too cheaply, and the game became a scrappy affair for the remainder of the second half with limited chances.

Millee Clarke and Molly Havard made their entrance to the game, and instantly started to unsettle the Bradford back line as they pushed for a goal. First Clarke, and then Havard, worked space well before firing efforts wide.

As Bradford pushed forward, space opened up behind their back line and Sheffield looked to exploit this with Giampalma, Havard and Clarke breaking forward to create good chances which might have seen Sheffield increase their lead. One move in particular ended with Routledge making a great save at her near post to deny Clarke.

Assistant manager, Chris Hames, had this to say after the game: “It’s a welldeserved three points, so I’m very happy. The result should have been a bit more comfortable in reality, as we should have controlled the game better than we did, but we scored at good times.”

“Overall, I’m very proud of the group: they’ve grafted in the lead up to today and throughout the game and, with some good bits of quality, we’ve got over the line.”

“We now need carry this into training and to Thursday’s game and try to kick our season on from here.”

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Next Matches Tuesday 18 September – Integro League Cup – Stocksbridge PS – 7:45pm Sunday 23 September – FA WNL – SUNDERLAND AFC LADIES – 2:00pm Saturday 29 September – FA Trophy – Prescot Cables – 3:00pm

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

Club Action Men’sin First Team

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Cleethorpes Town 3 Sheffield FC 4 Evo-Stik East Division Linden Homes Stadium, New Clee Tuesday, 11th September 2018

The Men’s team’s "goals, goals, goals" mentality continued on Tuesday evening, as they ran out 4-3 winners in an incredible see-saw game at Cleethorpes Town.

The game started with a flourish with Cleethorpes pushing early on, and Sheffield looking particularly shaky at the back, as Jon Oglesby's cross took advantage of some loose defence and Ross Durrant having to block the effort from Jake Batty.

As expected Club looked dangerous going forward, and they too went close early on as Charlie Wakefield was picked out by Andrew Gascoigne, with Leon Osborne scuffing his effort just wide of the mark.

The game stuttered into a messy period dominated by a head-tennis battle, with neither team getting a grip of the game, however on 37 minutes the game erupted into life.

The hosts were awarded a rather dubious corner, the ball was whipped in and was dispatched into the net, as Matt Bloomer bravely headed home.

It took five minutes for Sheffield to get back on level terms, a Route One ball from Ben Turner had ex-Clubbie goalkeeper Dylan Parkin in a mess, with Marc Newsham (pictured) capitalising on the hesitation to head over the keeper and drive the ball into the empty net.

In injury time it too a dramatic swing, as yet again a long ball - this time from James Kay picked apart the Owls' defence, with Newsham the punisher once again to send Sheffield into the break ahead.

If the half ended well for the visitors, the second half could only be described as disastrous, as less than 30 seconds after the restart the visiting defence committed defensive suicide allowing Oglesby to capitalise and draw level.

Less than a minute later Cleethorpes were in front, poor defence again only half cleared the ball, with Josh Batty hitting a sweet curling strike into the far corner.

It was the jolt Sheffield needed, and they drew level once again on 65 minutes from a Charlie Wakefield free-kick, with Julian Lawrence powering a fantastic header for his first goal in senior football.

From there was only one likely winner, and after Newsham flashed one across the face of goal, substitute Mitchell Dunne went millimeters away from grabbing the lead with a placed header that struck the base of the post and bounced into the hands of Parkin.

That was only a delay in the inevitable, as Gascoigne showed great vision ten minutes from time, picking out Dunne on a run on the right - and as expected - the ball ended up under Parkin and in the net to crown a fantastic game of football.

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Sheffield FC Ladies Sheffield FC Ladies was formed in 2003 when previous team Norton Ladies affiliated with the oldest football club in the world, Sheffield FC. The Club started life in Division 1 East of the Yorkshire & Humberside Regional WFL, the bottom level of the women’s pyramid of football at the time, which became the North East Regional WFL in 2005/06.

Having finished third, then runners up for two successive seasons, Sheffield finally won their first league title in 2007/08, and within the space of two more seasons, were promoted into the Northern Combination WFL, which they won at the first attempt in 2010/11.

Sheffield’s debut season at FA Women’s Premier League level could hardly have gone much better as Sheffield finished the year as Northern Division runners up behind eventual champions Manchester City. The team picked up silverware for the third season running, courtesy of a very first win in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women’s Challenge Cup. Sheffield went one better in the league in 2012/13 as they lifted the FA WPL Northern Division title for the very first time, losing just one league match in total and finishing nine points clear of Nottingham Forest. They also repeated their success in the S&H Women’s Challenge Cup, beating Rotherham United 6-0 in the final.

With promotion to the FA Women’s Super League not possible, Sheffield were forced to defend their FA WPL Northern Division crown in 2013/14, which they managed to do with five matches to go, ultimately finishing 15 points clear of runners up Preston North End. They added a third successive S&H Women’s Challenge Cup, but the highlight of the season was winning the FA Women’s Premier League Cup by beating Cardiff City 6-2 in the final, crowning off an historic treble trophy winning season.

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

History 2003-2018 In 2014/15, the first team missed out on a second successive FA WPL Cup losing on penalties in the final to Charlton Athletic after a 0-0 draw, but the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women’s Challenge Cup was won for a fourth year running. The Club enjoyed a best ever run in the FA Women’s Cup by reaching the Fifth Round. Sheffield FC won a third successive FA WPL Northern Division title, to secure a place in a first ever Championship Play Off Final in which an injury time winner saw Sheffield beat Portsmouth to become the first club to gain promotion on merit to the top flight of the game: the FA Women’s Super League.

Under new first team manager Zoe Johnson, Sheffield secured a respectable fifth place finish in their debut FA WSL season and reached the quarter-finals of the Continental Tyres. The development team finished as runners up in both the FA WSL Northern Division and the League Cup, losing 2-1 in extra time to Arsenal.

The 2017 Spring Series was less of a success for Sheffield as they finished one place off the bottom in ninth, and were unlucky to go out of the FA Women’s Cup at the fourth round stage to a controversial penalty in a 1-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers Belles. But the team kick started again for the 2017/18 season having change back to a winter season, with Sheffield once again finishing top half in fifth place, beating their previous points total.

With the FA’s continued agenda to drive the financial burden of clubs competing at Tier 2 up and up, Sheffield were forced to make the incredibly difficult decision to withdraw from the newly constituted FA Women’s Championship before the 2018/19 season, and thus begin this season in the new FA Women’s National League

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

myprint advert

Red and Black Review 2018/19 Season

ww.sheffieldfc.com

Fixtures 2018/19 Sheffield FC Ladies First Team Day

Date

KO

Fixture

Opposition

Sun

22 Jul

2pm

Friendly

Leeds United

(H)

Score 2-0

Tinsley, Giampalma

Sun

5 Aug

2pm

Friendly

Bolton Wanderers

(A)

2-1

M.Johnson, own goal

Thu

9 Aug

7:30pm

Friendly

Loughborough Foxes

(A)

2-2

Clarke, White

Sun

12 Aug

2pm

Friendly

Coventry United

(A)

0-5

Sun

19 Aug

2pm

League

Huddersfield Town

(A)

0-2

Sun

26 Aug

2pm

League

Middlesbrough

(H)

2-3

Sun

2 Sep

2pm

L Cup PR

Stoke City

(A)

0-3

Sun

9 Sep

2pm

League

Bradford City

(H)

2-0

Thu

13 Sep

7:45pm

League

Nottingham Forest

(A)

Sun

16 Sep

2pm

League

Blackburn Rovers

(H)

Sun

23 Sep

2pm

League

Sunderland AFC

(H)

Sun

30 Sep

2pm

League

Fylde

(A)

Thu

4 Oct

7:45pm

League

Derby County

(H)

Sun

7 Oct

2pm

League

Stoke City

(H)

Sun

14 Oct

2pm

Plate 2R

TBC

Sun

4 Nov

2pm

League

Guiseley Vixens

(H)

Sun

11 Nov

2pm

League

Hull City

(A)

Sun

18 Nov

2pm

League

Doncaster Rovers Belles

(A)

Sun

16 Dec

2pm

League

Huddersfield Town

(H)

Sun

6 Jan

1pm

FA Cup 2R

TBC

Sun

13 Jan

2pm

League

Middlesbrough

(A)

Sun

20 Jan

2pm

League

Bradford City

(A)

Sun

27 Jan

2pm

League

Blackburn Rovers

(A)

Sun

3 Feb

2pm

League

Fylde

(H)

Wed

13 Feb

7:45pm

League

Nottingham Forest

(H)

Sun

17 Feb

2pm

League

Stoke City

(A)

Wed

13 Mar

7:45pm

League

Derby County

(A)

Sun

24 Mar

2pm

League

Guiseley Vixens

(A)

Sun

31 Mar

2pm

League

Hull City

(H)

Sun

14 Apr

2pm

League

Doncaster Rovers Belles

(H)

Sun

5 May

2pm

League

Sunderland AFC

(A)

Sheffield FC v Blackburn Rovers LFC FA WNL Northern Premier 16.09.18

Scorers

Giampalma, White

White, Tinsley

1. Lauren Santoro 2. Molly Havard 3. Holly Housley © 4. Ellie White 5. Ruth Likara 6. Jade Butcher 7. Ellie Russell 8. Ellie Hawcroft 9. Lisa Giampalma 10. Milly Wortley 11. Molly Johnson 12. Millee Clarke 13. Elizabeth Hobson 14. Jess Heald 15. Emma Brown 16. Rosa Neary 17. Leigha Goodwin 18. Megan Tinsley 19. Paige Wainwright 20. Emma Johnson

1. Alexandra Brooks 2. Chelsey Jukes 3. Alexandra Taylor 4. Lynda Shepherd Thank you for your support; please remember to respect the officials, as well as the players and supporters of5. both teams.

Charlotte Stuart

Manager: Kyle O’Reilly Assistant Manager: Chris Hames GK Coach: Nathan Wigfull

©

6. Jess Holbrook 7. Lauren Davies 8. Natasha Fenton 9. Saffron Jordan 10. Natasha Flint 11. Lagan Makin 12. Kayleigh McDonald 15. Katie O’Gara 18. Hannah Walsh 19. Beth Donoghue 20. Eve Kennerley 37. Ellie Fletcher

Manager: Gemma Donnelly Coach: Amanda Goodwin

Referee: Christopher Rose (Chapeltown) Assistants: Joe Golland & Charlie King