There are events in human history that people constantly ask "where were you when xxxx happened?" That event could be when the clock struck midnight on December 31st 1999 to roll in the millennium, super Saturday back in 2012 and, most pertinently, when Mr Blobby went to Christmas no.1 with his seminal musical outing 'Mr Blobby'. Something happened this summer that might just have eclipsed all of those events (yes, even the Blobster going to no.1) when England won the women's Euro's in a record breaking tournament at a sold out Wembley against Germany. This summer's tournament was an event that will not be forgotten for a long, long time and rightfully so. The best of Europe descended on England and put on a hell of a tournament that saw record breaking attendances up and down the country including at our very own Bramall Lane. Some people said that "the grounds will be half empty", "who wants to watch that? It's not the same" well, I hope those naysayers are enjoying the humble pie that was constantly being fed into their mouths as the attendances soared and the football was pulsating. It's the type of summer that you don't want to end, but it it did and now we're left with what will be the legacy of a tournament that fully ensured that women's football is here and it's here to stay. Part of that legacy is our league's and the uptake in attendances and quality of the grounds teams will play at. Our own team have moved from Chesterfield and will now be playing all our home games at Bramall Lane. It's a change that has been a long time coming and hopefully we'll be seeing a big crowd for the team next week against Durham. But before that, we've got today's season opener against Blackburn Rovers to discuss so let's do it to it!
There was another big turnover of players from the first team for United with first team stalwarts Fran Kitching, Ocean Rolandsen, Jess Revill, Jess Clarke and Georgia Robert all left for pastures new. Kasia Lipka and Sophie Bradley-Auckland both took steps back from football to pursue matters away from the pitch whilst Lucy Watson left only to go and turn up at the premier team in the country in Chelsea. Congratulations to Lucy on the move and it'll be a little bit sad to not see some of last season's cohort line up in a United shirt this campaign. With all those outgoings, there have been a slew of incomings and four of those new signings started the game today! Bethan Davies started between the sticks and we had a new(ish) centre back pairing in Grace Riglar and Naomi Hartley with Hartley coming back to the club after a short stint away at Coventry United. Sophie Haywood was the last of the newbies in the starting eleven with our other two new signings Francis-Jones and Brown making the bench. United came out of the blocks quickest and put our hosts under the cosh early doors. Sweetman-Kirk had an effort from distance that was calmly claimed by Brooks in the Blackburn goal, seven minutes later and it probably should have been 1-0. United broke with pace down the right with Bex Rayner playing a hell of a ball to Sweetman-Kirk who was on her own about 14 yards out from goal. Unfortunately, CSK couldn't keep the ball down and the ball flew high over Brooks' net in what was a very, very good chance. This didn't deter United however and more good play saw a ball roll across the six yard box that CSK was inches away from tapping home. Just after the half hour mark and Chene Muir took aim from distance and saw her looping effort kiss the top of the crossbar and go over. It was a cracking attempt from the 16 year old making her senior debut. Despite all this pressure, it would be Blackburn who would open the scoring literally with the last kick of the half. A free kick from the left hand flank was met by Jordan in the box who duly knocked the ball past Davies to give the hosts an unlikely lead. The half time whistle went seconds later as United were left to rue missed opportunities. The second period saw much of the same as the first as United huffed and puffed but just couldn't blow down the proverbial brick house of the Blackburn backline. Bex Rayner went on another jinking run with her lay off to Althea Paul seeing the ex-Man City player seeing her effort blocked and the follow up from Sweetman-Kirk float wide of the post. Rayner was at it again minutes later with another silky smooth run that saw Paul send an effort flying over the bar. At this point it seemed a manner of if not when United would score but some brilliant last ditch defending from Rovers and lack of a killer blow from United saw us carry on probing but just not getting the final touch. Four minutes before the end and the crossbar was shaking once again. Sweetman-Kirk took matters into her own hands and took aim from about 25 yards out. Her dipping effort just wouldn't drop quickly enough and like Muir in the first half, the ball crashed against the crossbar and went over. United continued to look for the equaliser but it just wouldn't come and the final whistle blew with Blackburn taking away the three points despite then not really threatening throughout. A frustrating day to say the least. I still have no clue how United didn't score in that game. Our attacking play was fluid and free flowing at times but we just lacked either the final touch or the composure to score the goals that our build up play warranted. There were a lot more positives than negatives despite the result. As mentioned, we attacked with a gusto during the 90 and we were lining up at times to put the ball in the net. The departure of Watson did seem like we might struggle a bit to create but that fear was put to bed thanks largely to the efforts of Rayner and the very impressive Muir. Both looked extremely dangerous going forward with Rayner's runs and fantastic passes putting our hosts on high alert with Muir doing similar on the other side of the pitch. Muir had a very encouraging debut and to say that was her first senior start at the age of just 16, she looked like a seasoned pro at times and could be a very important player as the season progresses. All in all, frustrating, That's today's word of the day. We should have had at least a draw out of that game but I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles some times in regards to football. Lot's of positives though! And I'm very much looking forward to next weeks home opener against Durham! If you can get down and support the team, please do! It's at The Lane and I think tickets are still on sale as I write this, I'll leave the link here (Buy Tickets: Sheffield United Ticketing (sufc.co.uk)) and I hope to see you there! Until next time, UTB.
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AuthorHi my name is John and i will be giving my thoughts on the blades matches and all blades related news in this section Archives
November 2022
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