Hallam were ultimately demoted to BUCS Women’s Football Northern Tier 2 this term, losing to Uni of by the same scoreline on March 10. They picked up just one win in ten games, and were seven points adrift of Uni of and safety in Tier 1.
It looked like Hallam’s misfortunes would continue, as Uni of Sheffield took the lead in the opening ten minutes. A wide free kick was met by a slow, looping header by Harley Ratcliffe amongst a melee of bodies that left Hallam goalkeeper Hannah Iguchi stranded.
Set pieces were the theme of the first half, as Hallam almost immediately responded after striking the near post directly from a corner routine of their own. The momentum in possession also swung the way of the Sports Park hosts, with the so-called visitors sitting a yard or two deeper as they looked to preserve their first half lead.
Whilst Hallam were taking shots from range, opportunities opened up in behind for Uni of. Shouts of ‘hold it’ were audible from a commanding goalkeeper, who was unafraid to challenge loose balls and take an extra few moments to restart play. Working her way down the left wing was Livvi Bennett, whose pace and strength almost enabled the side in Black and Gold to double their advantage before the interval.
Further long range attempts from Dianna Garin and Anna Hollingshead sought to catch Uni of Sheffield napping as the half-time whistle approached.
As a mild, Spring sunshine began to set beneath the trees, the referee signalled half-time, which lasted merely five minutes before Uni of Sheffield kicked off the second half off still a goal to the good.
Immediately, Hallam continued where they left off in the first half. Georgie Owen showed incredible skill to dumbfound her opposing left back, but a cross on her weaker side meant the chance to equalise went begging just minutes into the second half.
On the next attack, however, Owen learned her lesson. This time a cross on her stronger foot from an almost identical position landed at the feet of Ayanna Davidson, who struck powerfully on the half-turn to level the scores. The odds were now favouring Hallam, as Molly Firthran clear of the defence only to be met by the Uni of ‘keeper, who required some attention after a collision at speed. Fortunately, she continued.
A wall of maroon were in fine voice as support for the final women’s football fixture of the day ramped right up as their side desperately needed victory. This was well reciprocated, as another cross from the right hand side was met, eventually, by the head of Diana Garin who had a little help from the crossbar to then tap the ball home uncontested.
The defending left a lot to be desired for Uni of, who were now looking significantly more tired than their City rivals by the second drinks break of the afternoon.
On around 75 minutes, Davidson almost certainly completed the comeback for Sheffield Hallam, as her near post curler sent supporters, coaching staff and players alike into raptures as victory looked secure.
It compounded a poor day for Uni of’s Women’s Footballers as they lost 2-1 in W3’s, 3-0 in W2’s, and finally 3-1 in W1’s. Any sign of a second wind were impossible to spot, as the clock ran down under the same scoreline with Hallam still consistently first to every loose ball and covering significantly more distance.
At the referee’s full-time whistle, Hallam’s sides celebrated as one as they wrapped up a memorable day at Sports Park.
