After an encouraging start to the season that has seen some really positive results (Coventry and Durham x2) we were probably due a result that is what we call in the trade, "a big sad". Sunday's loss against top of the league Bristol City was that "big sad" result for United as we lost for the first time since the opening day of the season but just like Wizards Of Waverly Place once said in its theme, things are not always what they seem and that was the case yesterday. Let's get into the review.
Three changes were made from Continental Cup action last weekend with CSK, Rayner and Haywood all returning to starting line up with Georgia Walters keeping her place in the XI after a double against Durham. A cagey opening saw both teams limited to pot shots from distant or potential chances being cut out before they can come to fruition. It took until the 25th minute for the first clear cut chance of the contest and it fell to Sweetman-Kirk who was played through but couldn't beat Bentley despite very little disruption from the defenders. As we entered the final ten, Newsham went close with a cross that floated across the goal line put just didn't fall in. Despite us having the better chances in the half and restricted the visitors to very little, The Robins would be the ones to open the scoring. Hayles pounced on a loose ball and beats two defenders with very little resistance from the Blades backline and slotted past Davies to ultimately go into the break with a lead slightly against the run of play. The lackadaisical defending continued minutes after the restart from a Blades perspective as City doubled their lead when a crossing opportunity was not dealt with by our defence with the ball looping over Davies and leaving Hayles with a chance on a silver platter to knock it in for her second. The misery would be compounded six minutes later as City got a third with a ball over the top seeing Harrison poke the ball past Davies to put City in the driving seat. United however have a knack of turning around games that we seemingly shouldn't get anything out of this season, and we should have had a free kick inside the penalty box just before the hour mark with one of the most blatant back passes I've ever seen at a football match. Somehow, despite the lineswoman having a clear sighter of the incident, Bentley was allowed top pick up the pass and play was waved on. It was simply bizarre and saw a ref that started the game well descend into a slew of strange decisions. Riglar went close from a corner with Bentley making a good save to deny the ex-Coventry player. We entered the final twenty and Sweetman-Kirk almost got a goal with a chance on the by-line seeing Bentley meet it with a cracking save to force a corner. Enderby and Paul both tried their luck but were denied but we did eventually get our goal as we started 4 minutes of stoppage time. Enderby was played in and kept her head to finally beat Bentley and get her third of the season. That was unfortunately that for United and a first home loss of the season despite a relatively decent performance. Really, really unfortunate for United yesterday as our first half performance saw us more than match a Bristol City side that has not yet lost in the league this season. We had the better chances in the first period and restricted them to very little. Poor defending was ultimately our downfall for two of City's goals as we didn't put a tackle in and just let the Bristol City players the chance to waltz into our box and have a pop at goal. Despite this, we once again showed a lot of heart to get back into the game and if a certain refereeing decision went our way and Bentley was less inspired, we could have come away with a point. But, ultimately, you can't win them all. We go again next week with the visit of Southampton to The Lane. If you can get down on Sunday, please do! 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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