Sheffield Wednesday Ladies FC stormed to an 8-1 victory over Socrates LFC on Sunday with a second-half performance right out of the top draw.
Socrates started with a surprise period of pressure and took an early lead through an own goal by Catherine Gough who turned a bouncing cross into her own net.
Wednesday almost equalised straight away, but Sadie Hooper latching onto a great ball from Renée Simonite-Scott could only put it wide of the far post.
Socrates could’ve extended their lead on multiple occasions, including when their number 27 had a free header in the box but failed to get power behind the ball, and when their number 20 hooked a volley over the bar after not quite reading the bounce of the ball right.
Izzy Rundle scored a wonderful equaliser, arguably against the early run of play, with a fantastic solo effort which culminated in a stunning goal from outside the box to make it even after 20 minutes.
Wednesday manager Kieron Lee was still unhappy with his side’s start to the game, lamenting their scrappy playstyle and making an early triple change.
Rundle then capitalised on poor defending from Socrates to slot home a second, as miscommunication between the defence and goalkeeper gave her an opportunity she couldn’t give up.
Amy Broomhead had a chance to make it three before half-time after the Socrates goalkeeper missed a long ball over the top but the defence recovered well to turn it away.
After half time, she had another chance after a good cross from Izzy Rundle from the right, but couldn’t direct it goal-wards.
A red card for the visitors’ number 6 for a retaliatory hair pull after a brief scuffle was immediately followed by Broomhead making it third time lucky and getting her goal to extend Wednesday’s lead.
It was two in as many minutes for Broomhead as she expertly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper from outside the box, and she quickly completed her hattrick getting on the end of another low Rundle cross from the right to put Wednesday 5-1 up.
Hooper turned another cross home to make it six before turning provider, playing it to Broomhead who scored with a fantastic low drive for her 4th of the afternoon.
Eleanor Vessey’s long-range goal from the left completed the second-half salvo to end the game at 8-1.
Amy Broomhead’s four goals and Izzy Rundle’s early brace marked special performances but Player of the Match went to Renée Simonite-Scott, whose tenacity and skill in the middle of the park was key to the Owlesses getting back in their groove.
This result sees Wednesday move back to the top of the table ahead of a trip to Handsworth Ladies Development on Sunday 12th November at 2pm.
