Courtney Sweetman-Kirk netted two sensational second-half goals as Sheffield United Women claimed their first victory of the new 2022-23 season with a 2-0 win over Durham at Bramall Lane yesterday.
United had begun the campaign with a 1-0 loss at Blackburn Rovers last week but an unchanged side swept the Wildcats aside with two goals in the second half.
The victory saw the Blades move from eleventh in the Barclays Championship table to fourth, and three points behind leaders Crystal Palace before this weekend’s remaining fixtures. Neil Redfearn’s side next face Sunderland at Eppleton Colliery Welfare on Sunday, 11th September (kick-off at 11.30 am).
It was the visitors who created the better chances in the early exchanges with keeper Bethan Davies keeping out former Blade Jess Clarke with a finger-tipped save. Eventually, United found momentum and created their first meaningful opportunity through Bex Rayner who tested Tatiana Saunders from distance.
Before the referee, Stacey Fullicks blew up for half-time, Chene Muir struggled to reach Sweetman-Kirk’s low cross.
Firing towards the Bramall Lane End in the second half, the Blades took the lead on 50 minutes in spectacular fashion Rayner had played SWEETMAN-KIRK down the left flank, she cut inside before spectacularly curling the ball into the top far corner past a helpless Saunders.
Durham hit back immediately, despite the hosts growing in confidence, as Saoirse Noonan saw her raging effort from distance sensationally pushed onto the bar by Davies.
The game was wrapped up on 70 minutes when SWEETMAN-KIRK chased onto Rhema Lord-Mears through ball to skilfully lob the ball over an advancing Saunders – doubling United’s lead and the strikers tally for the day.
With victory all but confirmed, the hosts were guilty of wasting further opportunities to extend their lead as Lord-Mears saw her low effort saved as United held out for a comfortable victory.
Sheffield United Women: Davies, Newsham, Hartley, Riglar, Sweetman-Kirk, Cusack, Rayner (Wilcock 79), Paul, Lord-Mears, Muir (Docherty 55) Haywood (Brown 67). Unused: N. Wilson, E. Wilson, Walters, Francis-Jones.
Durham Women: Saunders, Robert, Lambert (Bradley 61), Wilson, Robson (Farrugia 78), Hepple, Crosthwaite, Salicki (Ayre 61), Christon, Noonan (Ejupi 67), Clarke (Hardy 78). Unused: McAloon, Galloway, Greenwood.