News

The Sheffield FC Women's team progressed to the First Round Proper of the Adobe Women's FA Cup on Sunday, overcoming a spirited Oughtibridge War Memorial side in an unconvincing display, booking a next round tie against Penrith.

Despite being massive underdogs, Oughtibridge - managed by ex-SFC Men's players Craig Marsh and Chris White - showed they were not going to give this tie away lightly, and stunned the visitors on 27 minutes with a goal on the counter-attack, Lucy Ridley showing great speed and composure to tuck the ball past Ellie Sharpe.

That lead was only to last three minutes, as Sheffield had a free-kick on the left at a narrow angle, with skipper Nicole Kemp curling a dipping shot-cum-cross over the keeper and into the far corner.

On 37 minutes it was 2-1 to Club, again from a Kemp free-kick, this time some clever running found the ball at the feet of Lucy Cook in the area, who made no mistake with a fierce low drive.

Again Oughtibridge showed great resilience and fought back to level on the stroke of half time, with Codi Melia picking up the ball 25 yards out, before curling a beauty of a shot into the top corner.

Sheffield retook the lead ten minutes after the break, Lucy Cook doing some great work on the right to send a telling ball into the middle, with Tilly Hallas-Potts making certain the ball crossed from close range to make it 3-2.

Club made hard word work of the last third of the game, holding on to the narrow win, and booking their spot on November 3rd at home to the North West Women's Regional League opposition from Cumbria.

Oughtibridge War Memorial: 1 Molly Hutchinson, 2 Kathryn Mudge, 3 Cara Hopkinson, 5 Dionne Lawton, 7 Jennifer Pearson, 9 Laura Cain, 11 Laura Watton ©, 12 Lucy Ridley, 16 Codi Melia, 18 Eliza Holland, 22 Lily Scott.

Subs: GK Becky Evans, 15 Sarah Middleton, 17 Colby Marsh.

Sheffield FC: 1 Eleanor Sharpe, 2 Pip Cassidy, 3 Eden Hinchliffe, 4 Nicole Kemp ©, 6 Tilly Hallas-Potts, 8 Halima Essa, 10 Sadie Smith, 11 Lucy Cook, 14 Caitlyn Douglas, 15 Natasha Wood, 17 Brooke Smith.

Subs: GK Leah Kellogg, 7 Sami Brooks, 12 Stacey Buxton, 19 Nicole Cooper, 21 Jacey Haynes.

Attendance: 55

Referee: Declan Richards.