30/9/18, Bramall Lane, Championship

Goals – Welsh

A vist to Bramall Lane was next on the cards for Villa Ladies as we played our third game in the Championship against Sheffield United. We knew we would be out numbered but went to make some noise for our team and get behind them. Apart from being told could take drum In and after 5 minutes told couldn’t play it as was a health and safety risk it was a great day of supporting our team the result didn’t go our way and were punished by mistakes and beaten by these and not so much a better team. The return of Amy West would overshadow all else on this day and could tell with her on pitch what a huge difference it made but entering at 3-1 down and the game almost gone. Even at 4-1 down in the dying minutes we didn’t let our head drops as we tried to force something out the game.

The game kicked off with the worst possible start as we tried to bed into the game but a mistake let Sophie Jones through for an easy chance to put away which she did to make it 1-0 and put us on the back front from the get go. Jodie Hutton as always pushed and pushed the Sheffield United defence as she broke into the box on the 9th minute but couldn’t quite get her shot the right side of the net as it hit the side netting coming close. As we started to build into the game Sheffield United made a mistake with a short pass back that Kerri Welsh latched onto heading towards goal with a one on one chance that she Cooley slotted away past the keeper getting her second goal of the season. A foul on the 25th minute saw a chance for Villa as Jodie Hutton stood over the free kick which nearly missed the head of Kerri Welsh as the score remained 1-1. Villa started to take over in the game with some great play between Nadine Hanssen and Sophie Haywood but it didn’t lead to the ball hitting the back of the net unfortunately as it hit the side netting. As it seems lately just as we are starting to get on top of the game a rash tackle from Elisha N’Dow saw the Sheffield player brought to the ground on with Althea Paul dispatched past the best efforts of Aja Aguirre in the Villa goal giving the home side the 2-1 lead on the 34th minute. Just before half time it could of got worse as Sheffield had a chance but Aja Aguirre pulled off a great reaction save and Jade Richards made the follow up block as we went into half time 2-1 but still in the game as nethier team really was playing well but getting by. A first half that had screamed for a chance from the bench but it didn’t come as the second half started.

Aja Aguirre kept Villa in the game early on as Sam Dixon broke through and Aja made sure the score stayed at 2-1 as she pulled off the save in the Villa goal. This early warning sign unfortunately didn’t quite give us the chance to stop the goal that was coming up. As Villa stood off Sophie Jones she hit an effort that looped into the top corner leaving Aja Aguirre no chance as it was a great finish. 3-1 down early on in the second half with no changes lead to Sheffield once again getting a chance on goal that Aja Aguirre once again saved in the Villa net to keep us still in the game. My moment of the moment on the 58th minute we made our first substitution (as noted before shame it was when we was 3-1 down) as Amy West returned to the team after being out Injured to replace Alice Hassall. And within minutes you could already see how much we had missed Amy as she chased the ball down, won it back and got Villa going forward. On the 65th minute Phoebe Warner unleashed a drive but it was unfortunately straight at the Sheffield keeper. On the 66th minute Sophie Haywood made way for Alison Hall who had worked hard with no reward. Sheffield kept threatening up the wing as Evie Gane and Hollie Gibson worked so hard all through the game to keep them at bay but on the 74th minute a ball hit across the box was easily put into the net by Sophie Jones completing her hatrick and making it 4-1 to the home team. On the 74th minute we made our final change bringing on Tanisha Smith for Phoebe Warner leaving her 15 minutes to try and get into the game and add a goal for us. Evie Gane got us on the front foot and went close as she hit a strike on the 78th minute but it went over the bar,if anyone deserved a goal it was Evie she put so much into the game as she always do. It all got a bit messy as we tried to chase the game late on as Sheffield on the 86th minute should of made the game 5-1 as Sophie Jones missed an absolute sitter right in front of the goal. The game ended 4-1 to the home team, a very strange game because the scoreline would say Sheffield were the better team but we beat ourselves more than being outclassed which is a shame. But as always couldn’t be prouder of the effort by the team and the effort as we never gave up even at 4-1 down we still tried to push forward even if it had got a little messy.

We next play Durham at home on Sunday 14th October with a early kick off time of 12pm as we host them at Boldmere in the next game in the Championship. I know we will all be there once again getting behind our team and cheering them on. Hopefully we will see a few new faces that fancy coming and joining in or just even getting behind our girls because they really do deserve the support. We will dust ourselves off and come back stronger no doubt. I love my team no matter the result, no matter the score we will stand behind them and sing proudly.

Aja Aguirre – Always great to see Aja In goal can keep us in games with her saves throughout the 90 mins.

Hollie Gibson – Made some choices during the game, standing her opponent up and seeing the ball out of play.

Elisha N’Dow – Hard tackling and trying to get Villa back In the game is always the name of Lish game.

Jade Richards – Worked hard throughout and also went for the dazzling over head kick that would of took goal of season. 

Evie Gane – My player Of The Match almost ran the wing single handedly, must of covered so much ground during the game.

Jodie Hutton – Unmatched effort and stamina never gave up throughout the game as always trying to push us forward. 

Phoebe Warner – Never stopped working hard and seemed so unlucky with the bounce and breaks she got.

Nadine Hanssen – Tried to get Villa forward and was unlucky not score near the end as her shot went straight at keeper. 

Alice Hassall – Won the ball back in the midfield on few occasions to try and get Villa forward.

Kerri Welsh – Worked hard to get us our goal and was unlucky not to add another one to her game. 

Sophie Haywood – Tried to impact the game pushing Villa forward but the ball just wouldn’t fall her way.

Amy West – So happy to see Amy back made a huge difference to our midfield when she came on.

Alison Hall – Came on late to try to push Villa forward with fresh legs In second half.

Tanisha Smith – Wasn’t given enough time to impact the game like we know she can.

Player Of Match – Evie Gane –

Seemed to have the whole wing to herself as she went up and down on a regular basis, turning defence into attack. You always know how good someone is doing when you sing their song alot and today was no difference to the other games we have seen Evie. 110% effort and work rate. Worked hard to win the ball back, and hard to get the ball up to the Sheffield goal.