MATCH REPORT: SHEFFIELD FC WOMEN VS SJR WORKSOP
- 18/11/2024
Sheffield FC Women maintained top spot in the EMRL Premier Division with a 2-0 win over SJR Worksop at the Home of Football Stadium.
Following a frustrating first-half, Club took the lead early into the second when Tilly Hallas-Potts teed up Halima Essa to control and bury home her second goal in as many games.
The hosts then doubled their lead on 72 minutes as Nicole Kemp played in Essa, whose low delivery was turned in by Stacey Buxton from close-range at the far post.
From then, Sheffield continued to control the flow of the game as Worksop were powerless to stop Club from recording a sixth successive win in all competitions.
A first meeting between the two teams saw Club push forwards early on as Buxton tested the palms of visiting keeper Emily Hallam with a neat turn and shot from distance.
The striker was at it again on the 15 minute mark with another clever touch and snapshot being tipped just wide of the bottom corner by Hallam.
More positive play from the hosts resulted in another chance by the half-hour as Hallas-Potts’ cross found Nicole Cooper, whose shot deflected narrowly off-target.
A dominant but frustrating first-half in front of goal was capped in stoppage-time when Buxton’s sweet volley from Essa’s cross flew just over the bar.
The deadlock was soon broken within two minutes of the restart however, as a lovely flowing move saw Hallas-Potts reach a Buxton cross to set up Essa, who fired home from six yards.
Club were really clicking and went close to a second through Lucy Cook’s driving run and hit on 67 minutes, before her teasing cross found substitute Jacey Haynes who was denied from close range seconds later.
That was followed by another slick piece of play between Essa and Hallas-Potts which ended with the latter flashing a shot just over the bar.
The deserved second for Club finally came on 72 minutes when Kemp won possession to play in Essa, who swept in a low cross for Buxton to turn home with ease.
Eleanor Sharpe then sprung into action at the other end, tipping away Lauren Cundy’s cross-shot away from goal in a quiet afternoon for the keeper.
From then Sheffield were comfortable, controlling the closing stages to record victory and extend their lead at the top to five points, as attention now switches to the Women’s FA Cup tie away at Shrewsbury.