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Words by Jayden Burte-Williams

Sheffield FC Women remain winless this season as they fell to a frustrating 2-0 defeat to Solihull Moors Women at the MEPS International Home of Football. 

The hosts were on top in the first half with their best chance coming in the 27th minute as Kelly Fiddler picked out Natasha Wood in the area who was denied from close-range.

Sheffield made a slow start after the break as the visitors took control just before the hour when a poor pass from Leah Kellogg allowed Becky Knight to curl home for 1-0.

Club continued to push for the equaliser late on but they had to settle for another defeat when substitute Tiana Russell-Cartwright raced clear in stoppage time to wrap up the points. 

Looking for their first win of the season, Sheffield started with intent as Wood tested visiting keeper Lucy Bicknell with a low shot inside two minutes.

The away side were almost gifted an opener five minutes later when a short backpass from Eden Hinchliffe forced Kellogg to sweep the ball away from the onrushing Knight.

That was before Kellogg flew into action again on 10 mins to tip Ellie Bruton’s long-range drive onto the crossbar.

Club then went close at the other end before the half-hour mark when Fidder drove into the area and teed up Wood to strike but she was denied again by Bicknell. 

John Bennett’s side continued to put the pressure on Solihull with Amy Pashley firing over from the edge of the area before Millie Fugler failed to guide home from a Wood corner in first-half stoppage time.

The second half saw Sheffield on the back foot as Knight’s audacious overhead kick looped over on 48 minutes before Kellogg had to be alert at her near post to save from Marsha Malik.

Club couldn’t handle the pressure and fell behind on 57 minutes when Kellogg gave the ball straight to Knight who tucked the ball into the far corner. 

The hosts kept going in hope of a late equaliser but were finished off in stoppage time when Russell-Cartwright burst through on the counter and fired home at the near post for the points.

It leaves Club bottom of the Womens National League Midlands Division One as they look to bounce back away to Northampton Town next time out.