Jonathan Morgan’s Sheffield United claimed their first victory of the season earlier today, beating Lewes 1-0 in an exciting and closely-fought contest at Bramall Lane.
Audiences of the early kick-off were treated to an end-to-end battle between two teams that were separated by only goal difference at the bottom of the Barclays Women’s Championship table.
The start of the match was cagey as both sides were looking for their first win of the season. The Blades looked the more positive, winning three consecutive corners in the first five minutes.
Both teams initially struggled for options in the final third but after the 20-minute mark, there was suddenly a spate of chances for both sides. Sheffield United went close from a Jodie Hutton corner which found Bex Rayner at the back post but her headed effort went narrowly wide. Lewes responded by playing Maria Farrugia in behind the back-line and the forward slotted home before the goal was belatedly ruled as offside.
Scott Booth’s Rooks then broke quickly again down the right. Anna Grey wove her way almost to the byline before squaring the ball back across goal to Valentine Pursey, whose touch from six yards out somehow looped the ball into the hands of home keeper Fran Stenson.
Minutes later, Goodwin picked the pocket of the Lewes defence to break through on goal. Her low shot forced a fantastic save from Sophie Whitehouse.
After the break, Sheffield United looked to be on the front foot. On the hour mark, Ashley Hodson made space on the right of the box to craft a long range effort on her left foot but the ball was kept out by Whitehouse.
The visitors struggled to break through The Blades defence, but a clear chance came when Farrugia fired over the bar from close range.
Sheffield United continued to look dangerous, especially through Rachel Brown down the right. The pressure from the home side finally paid off, as they broke the deadlock with 17 minutes to go. Brown again drove into the box uncontested and she had time to pick out Goodwin with a powerful cross. The forward blasted the ball into the roof of the net at the near post to put Sheffield United in front, sending the coaching staff into a frenzy.
Things went from bad to worse for Lewes as Grace Garrad was stretchered off following a hard challenge. The defender covered her face in pain as she left the field. The Sussex side were unable to find an equaliser, despite many searching runs from Grey in the 10 minutes of added injury time.
After claiming the three points, Sheffield United can now look ahead to their next match at Crystal Palace after the international break. Lewes host Blackburn Rovers at The Dripping Pan in their next fixture.
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