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Sheffield FC edged one step closer to the East Midlands Premier League title on Sunday, as they held out against a battling SJR Worksop side, hanging on to win 3-2 after leading 3-0 in the opening 20 minutes.

The wind played a major factor at the Rockware Sports Ground, and Sheffield nearly took advantage of that in the second minute of the game, as Nicole Cooper saw her long-range drive tipped over by Emily Hallam. 

Two minutes later Club thought they’d opened the scoring, Louisa Anderson sending Stacey Buxton through to slot the ball home, only to be pulled back for a technical infringement.

On 14 minutes Sheffield eventually took the lead, Jacey Haynes picking up the ball on the edge of the area, placing it in off the post with the keeper scrambling to save it. 1-0 became 2-0 seconds later, as a break down the left found Nicole Cooper, who drove the ball from a tight angle into the top corner.

In the 19th minute came a controversial moment, a goalmouth scramble in the Worksop area saw the ball bounce up and hit a defender’s hand, the penalty was awarded and was neatly tucked away by leading scorer Stacey Buxton for her 16th goal of the season.

The game settled down somewhat with the visitors looking in cruise control, however a minute before the break SJR grabbed a goal in bizarre circumstances, Alice Hill hit a harmless looking ball goalwards from the halfway line which trickled under the foot of keeper Leah Kellogg and into the net.

Now facing the stiff breeze in the second half, Club faced a pretty torrid onslaught from the hosts, who used the wind to its fullest advantage. After repelling several dangerous corners, Sheffield finally conceded a second on 63 minutes, with Lauren Cundy getting her head to divert one into the net.

After looking so comfortable in the opening stages, Club were now fighting for their lives, having to be thankful to keeper Kellogg in injury time as she made two spectacular and vital saves to maintain the lead.

There was controversy once again in the final seconds of the contest, as a loud shout for handball in the Sheffield area was waved away by referee Amy Fern, who blew for time almost immediately.

The result means that Sheffield are five points clear of the only team who can catch them – Chesterfield LFC – with three games to play, two of which are against the Spires. A win at the Home of Football next Sunday will guarantee the title, and return to the FA National League, for the World’s First.

SJR Worksop: 1 Emily Hallam, 3 Rachael Bell, 4 Leah Harrison, 7 Lauren Cundy, 8 Lauren Bell, 9 Millie Clarke, 11 Lauren Brogan, 12 Amy O’Brien, 15 Emily Murphy, 16 Charlotte Finch ©, 26 Rachael Kelly. Subs: 5 Laura Ferguson, 10 Alice Hill.

Sheffield FC: 1 Leah Kellogg, 3 Eden Hinchliffe, 4 Nicole Kemp ©, 5 Louisa Anderson, 8 Halima Essa, 10 Stacey Buxton, 12 Charlie Griffin, 16 Moriah McIntosh, 18 Katie McLoughlin, 19 Nicole Cooper, 21 Jacey Haynes. Subs: 2 Penny Knott, 15 Natasha Wood, 17 Brooke Smith, 20 Rebecca Matthews.

Referee: Amy Fern