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Interim manager Ryan Cresswell claimed a point in his first league game in charge of Sheffield FC Women as they drew 0-0 with Leafield Athletic at The Home of Football.

Club’s best opportunity arrived the closing stages when Millie Fugler threaded a lovely ball through for Amy Nelson who couldn’t find the finishing touch.

It capped a frustrating afternoon for the hosts who dominated the chances with Kelly Fidler hitting the post at the end of the first half before Tilly Hallas-Potts turned Stacey Buxton’s cross wide moments later.

Sheffield end a run of three successive league defeats with the draw but still sit bottom of the FA Womens National League one Midlands as they hope to turn it around against Lincoln on Thursday night.

A basement battle between Sheffield and Leafield saw the visitors on top early on as Leonie Joyce ghosted in behind and curled a shot past the post much to Brooke Smith’s relief in goal.

That lucky escape seemed to get Club going and they pushed forwards on 23 minutes with Fidler delivering an inviting low cross into the area but Sami Brooks couldn’t get on the end of it.

The away side then signalled another warning as Sarah Hazell drove through and fired wide on 39 minutes before Fidler raced down the other end and tried an audacious chip which wouldn’t come down.

Fidler almost put Club ahead at the end of the first half when she cut inside and fired a shot off the post via a touch from visiting keeper Collette Bell before Hallas-Potts turned Buxton’s delicious cross wide a minute later. 

Sheffield started the second half the same as the first with a brilliant double save from Smith on 48 minutes keeping Leafield at bay.

Ryan Cresswell soon saw his side take control and a big chance came on 72 minutes when a lovely through pass from Fidler saw Amy Nelson in behind but the substitute was denied a touch by the onrushing Bell.

It was a sign of de-ja-vu in stoppage time as Nelson found herself through on goal again but her shot was saved by legs of Bell before Smith stood tall to deny Thea Clerkin from snatching the points.

A frustrating day at the office for Club means they stay in 12th, bottom of the FA Womens National League Midlands Division One on three points.

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