CROSTHWAITE SHINES HAS WE EDGE PAST THE BLADES

Blues are still second but there needed to show there grit to overcome a stubborn blades team who took the league from Amy Andrews but a wonderful finish from Lily Crosthwaite and Wilma Liedhammar got the Blues there most important win of the season to keep the Blues in second Place. Amy made five changes to the squad from the disappointing Wednesday night defeat to Newcastle United with Cooke Harris Hopcroft and Lee in the starting line-up and the returning Libby Bance on the bench

FIRST HALF

The first chance of the game came for Blues a Lotta Lindstrom cross was headed just wide form Lee Geum-Min in the 1^st minute.

The first chance for the blades came in the 14^th minute when Amy Andrews charge down the wing run into the box but her effort was saved by Adrianna Franch.

But less then a couple of seconds later the blades took the lead with some great interplay it started off when Hopcroft gave the ball away and some great play found itself to Sophie O Rourke who guided it pass Adrianna Franch a great goal and the blades took the lead in the 14^th minute.

Blues next opportunity came in the 20^th minute when a Martha Harris rocket was brilliantly saved from Sian Rodgers for a corner.

Then in the 29^th minute a free kick for the blades was delivered in by Abbie Lafayette and was met on the head of Simone Sherwood but goes wide.

Then in the 36^th minute a Lee Geum-Min header went just passed the right hand post.

But four minutes later Blues got the equalizer when a brilliant run down the wing from Oceane Hurtre a crossed rebounded to Rebecca Holloway who played it to Lily Crosthwaite who bend it into the far corner and goal of absolute quality.

The last chance of the half came in stoppage time when a Shanade Hopcroft shot was straight at Rogers.

HALF TIME BLUES WOMEN 1-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED WOMEN

SECOND HALF

Amy made two changes for the second half bringing on Rebecca Mckenna for Shannon Cooke & Wilma Liedhammar on for Lee Geum-Min.

Wilma was straight into the action in the 47^th minute when her shot was saved by Rodgers.

In the 54^th minute a Oceane Hurtre shot went over the bar.

But four minutes later the Blues took the lead when Hurtre cut inside the area and her shot was well saved by Rodgers but it felled to Liedhammar who tapped it home but it was disallowed for offside which shocked the fans but referee Callum Parke talked to his assistant referee and the goal stood and Blues took the lead.

In the 62 minute a Lotta Lindstrom shot was saved by Rodgers.

A minute later substitute Veatriki Sarri shot was saved by Rodgers.

In the 70^th minute a Oceane Hurtre shot was brilliant saved by Rodgers.

In the 74^th minute a Wilma Liedhammar shot just missed the right hand post.

The last Sheffield United chance of the game was when a Emma Taylor shot just passed the right corner.

In the 80^th minute a Hopcroft shot was saved by Rodgers.

And the last chance of the game came for Blues in the 81^st minute when a Neve Herron header just missed the left corner from a Oceane Hurtre corner.

FULL TIME BLUES WOMEN 2-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED WOMEN

MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

Yes its wasn’t the performance we wanted but we got over the line and for Amy’s 50^th match this win could be the most important of her blues career with Newcastle & Palace drawing in the late kick off and Charlton losing to Bristol City it has been a good weekend for Amy and the girls. But are performances need to improve especially traveling down to Ashton Gate has we face Bristol City next weekend who themselves are looking to get promoted we need a performance like last season’s away game at London City Lionesses game were we won 2-1 we need that fight and spirt for the end of the season.

Lily Crosthwaite oh my word what a goal but we can’t forget the brilliant work from Oceane Hurtre did to make that goal. Like I said when we signed her she will be are player that will get us back in the WSL if she is fit. I have admire her since she played at Durham and has hurt us in the wildcats shirt on a number of occasions yes we brought top class players but on an impact she has been amazing. She has made thirteen scoring and assisting contributions this season and will get player of the season at the Blues Awards.

MY PLAYER OF THE MATCH

I know I should give it to Lily for that goal but Oceane Hurtre was my player of the match she was quality in an attacking thread but also her defensive work has improved and helped back when she needed to.