Match Report:Penistone Church Ladies Blacks U13s vs SHEFFIELD FC YOUTH U13s

Penistone Church Blacks U13 Ladies vs Sheffield Youth FC U13

A three-fixture week saw our final game in the run-up to Easter as Penistone Church Ladies Blacks U13s travelled to Cawthorne to face high-flying Sheffield FC Youth U13s, looking to get back on track after two narrow back-to-back defeats. With the squad showing great commitment across a busy schedule, the girls arrived determined to finish the week strongly against one of the league’s toughest sides.

The game didn’t start well for Church, as Sheffield FC came out quickly and took the lead inside the opening six minutes. Things went from bad to worse in the 15th minute when Sheffield doubled their advantage with a neat finish following some well-worked play through midfield.

Sheffield were playing some excellent football and were absolutely clinical in front of goal, adding a third by the 20-minute mark to put Church under real pressure early on.

To their credit, Church didn’t let their heads drop and began to grow into the game, creating two very good chances that unfortunately went by the wayside. Sheffield then struck again on the counter to make it 4–0.

As half time approached, Church finally got the reward their efforts deserved. A perfectly timed through ball found top scorer Evie, who showed great strength to hold off her defender before calmly finishing low into the keeper’s bottom-left corner.

Half-time: –Penistone Church Ladies Blacks 1 V Sheffield FC Youth U13s 4

The second half saw Penistone start brightly once again. A well-weighted through ball found Evie, who cut inside from the left and fired a low finish past the keeper to make it 4–2 and give Church renewed belief.

Heartbreakingly, just a few minutes later Sheffield responded. A corner flashed into the box and struck their skipper Esmae on the knee, leaving Harriet with no chance as the score moved to 5–2.

Church refused to back down and hit back again soon after. Alanah reacted quickest to a scramble in the Sheffield box and finished neatly to pull it back to 5–3.

With only one substitute available and several players carrying knocks, Church began to run out of steam as the game wore on. Sheffield then killed the contest with two quick goals from distance — both absolute scorchers that gave Harriet little opportunity to intervene.

As tired legs set in further, two late goals for Sheffield rounded off a 9–3 result.

A good game played in the right manner by both sides, but sometimes you simply have to accept the opposition were the stronger team on the day. Best of luck to Alex and the Sheffield FC girls next season in the division above.

Full-time: –Penistone Church Ladies Blacks 3 V Sheffield FC Youth U13s 9

🌟 Girls of the Game

Coaches’ Player – Evie Never stopped running and trying to change the momentum of the match. Took both her goals really well and was a constant thorn in Sheffield’s side throughout.

Parents’ Player – Alice Constant running at the Sheffield defence caused them no end of anxiety with her blistering pace. A real attacking threat all game and kept Sheffield thinking about how to contain her.

We go again. ⚪⚫

#UpTheChurch