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Sheffield FC’s Women’s FA Cup adventure came to a dramatic end on Sunday, as they were eliminated in a penalty shootout in Round Two, after finishing level 3-3 against Shrewsbury Town.

A late change of venue saw the game moved at short notice from Shawbury United’s ground to Shrewsbury’s regular home at Croud Meadow, and the visitors looked rusty in the first half, with the Shrews dominating play from the off.

The hosts took the lead on 12 minutes following a defensive slip, 16-year-old Eva Stanley capitalising after some pressure on the Sheffield back line, tucking the ball beyond Leah Kellogg to make it 1-0.

After resisting wave after wave of Shrewsbury attack, Club were able to hold out for the rest of the first half, coming out a different proposition after the break.

Less than a minute after the restart Stacey Buxton hooked the ball to Halima Essa, the striker fed the ball to Lucy Cook in space on the left, with the winger curling the shot past Katy Smith.

The crowd had barely had time to process this goal when Shrewsbury responded at the other end, some positive play from Katie Doster on the left picked out Stanley in space, with the youngster scoring in off the post.

On 53 minutes it was 2-2, Lucy Cook bursting down the left wing before playing a telling ball to Halima Essa, who managed to get the vital touch to stab the ball past a stranded keeper.

The yoyo nature of the game continued on 63 minutes, a low cross from Zoe Child found Kim Bebbington in the box, her first effort was blocked by Leah Kellogg but she was able to steer the rebound home from close range.

Sheffield threw everything at the hosts, and it looked like it would be in vain until the third minute of stoppage time, as skipper Tilly Hallas-Potts rose above everyone to head home to send the game to penalties.
As expected, the shootout produced a dramatic finale, and after Alicia Robinson opened the scoring for Salop, Sadie Smith and Eva Stanley exchanged missed penalties.

Brooke Smith and Lucy Cook converted theirs for Sheffield, Hetty Arnold and Maddie Jones did the same for Shrewsbury, and with Katy Smith saving Louisa Anderson’s attempt, it was left to Jeorgia Carr to tuck home the winner.

Shrewsbury Town: 18 Katy Smith, 4 Vikki Owen, 5 Alice Raby, 6 Alicia Robinson, 10 Katie Doster, 12 Kim Bebbington, 14 Zoe Child, 16 Jeorgia Carr, 19 Pip Wilson ©, 20 Mia Jackson, 22 Eva Stanley. 

Subs: 1 Phoebe Carter, 7 Maddie Jones, 8 Milly Potter, 9 Zoe Griffiths, 11 Lucy Brown, 15 Megan Joseph, 21 Hetty Arnold.

Sheffield FC: 1 Leah Kellogg, 2 Pip Cassidy, 3 Eden Hinchliffe, 5 Louisa Anderson, 6 Tilly Hallas-Potts ©, 7 Sami Brookes, 8 Halima Essa, 11 Lucy Cook, 12 Stacey Buxton, 17 Brooke Smith, 19 Nicole Cooper.

Subs: 9 Amy Nelson, 10 Sadie Smith, 14 Caitlyn Douglas, 15 Natasha Wood, 21 Jacey Haynes.

Referee: Stephen Brown

Attendance: 180