Women’s Manchester Misery

Whilst all eyes cantered predominantly on Sheffield United’s FA Cup involvement at Wrexham yesterday, screened live on the BBC, the Sheffield United Women had participated in an FA Cup challenge earlier in the day but returned to S2 following a heavy loss at Manchester City Women.

Paul Heckingbottom’s sides, somehow, earned a replay from their dramatic 3-3 draw against National League side Wrexham despite striker Daniel Jebbison receiving a dubious red card for an off-the-ball incident in the second half.

Having edged past Nottingham Forest Women 3-0 in Round Three, the part-time Blades side was rewarded with a trip to Vitality FA Cup holders Manchester City Women in Round Four. Despite drawing 1-1 in a pre-season friendly, it was always going to be an uphill struggle against Gareth Taylor’s talented City side and came as no surprise when they swept their counterparts aside 7-0 – including a hat-trick from Khadija Shaw.

For the United Women, they return to Championship action at Durham this coming Sunday whilst the men’s first team will be hunting for a place in Round Five when they play the replay against Wrexham.