News

Sadie Smith netted the decisive goal as Sheffield FC women got back to winning ways in the league with a 1-0 home victory over Anstey Nomads.

Following a first-half full of chances for Club, the breakthrough came on 70 mins when Smith collected Tilly Hallas-Potts’ lay-off to smash home from six yards.

Substitute Jacey Haynes almost made it two soon after as she raced through and fired an effort narrowly wide of goal.

The closing stages saw Sheffield in control as they held firm to move within touching distance of top spot in the East Midlands Women’s Premier Division.

In only their second home game of the season, Club started with plenty of intent as Amy Nelson flashed a shot wide after racing in behind inside two minutes.

Nelson was at it again moments later when she collected Sadie Smith’s clever through ball before cutting inside and firing into the side netting.

Sheffield continued to push forward as Smith tried her own luck with a clever turn and snapshot from range on 16 minutes.

The visitors continued to feel the pressure as Hallas-Potts saw her low effort tipped away from distance after a neat passing move. 

Club’s best chance of the half came on 36 minutes when Nicole Kemp’s splitting pass found Smith who was denied from close-range.

The second period marked more Sheffield dominance as Lucy Cook saw her shot pushed over after being played through by Nelson on 51 minutes.

Eleanor Sharpe then made a crucial save at the other end to deny the onrushing Megan Harper moments later.

That spell didn’t last though as Club threatened again when Sadie Smith burst her way through and saw another effort tipped aside by visiting keeper Holly Mayfield on 70 minutes.

It was all forgotten about within a minute as a Kemp delivery into the box found Hallas-Potts, who teed up Smith to control and bury home her seventh goal in as many games.

The striker was almost involved in a second as her clever pass over the top found Haynes, who fired just wide of the target late on. 

Matt Chatfield’s side then controlled the closing stages to secure a fourth league win of the season as attention now turns next Sunday’s FA cup tie against Penrith.