Ipswich Town Women v Sheffield United Women Match Report
It seems that Ipswich Town Women have produced their best display of the season thus far, easily seeing off Sheffield United Women with a commanding 4–1 victory in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2.
This is a game in which David Wright’s team managed to dominate proceedings from start to finish, fashioning plenty of goal-scoring opportunities and showing the ruthlessness that their displays have previously lacked. It is the first time that Ipswich have beaten Sheffield United in the competition.
How the Game Unfolded
Sheffield United carved out the first opening of the evening in the fourth minute when Amy Andrews cut inside from the left and curled a right‑footed effort narrowly wide of the top corner. Town responded almost immediately. Kit Graham slipped a clever ball through to Sophie Peskett, whose low strike was gathered by Sian Rogers.
Graham was involved again soon after, intercepting high up the pitch and feeding Lucy Ashworth‑Clifford, but her shot from inside the area was straight at the goalkeeper. Town continued to probe, with Princess Ademiluyi heading wide from a Maria Boswell cross before Peskett sent another effort over the bar.
The Blues’ pressure grew as the half wore on.During the 36th minute, Kenzie Weir played an extremely long ball forward that Graham deftly flicked past onto Colette Cavanagh, who made a bad mistake by shooting above the bar. After this, Graham nearly scored with a powerful shot, which narrowly missed the goal following a header from Paige Peake.
However, Town eventually got their reward late on in the half through a set piece. A curling corner was floated into the box by Ashworth-Clifford, and Weir came highest to head the ball in for her first for the club.
Second-Half Control
With fresh determination, Ipswich began the second half and extended their lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute of play. Cavanagh launched the ball upfield from a corner, resulting in Rogers dashing out of her goal area and misfiring on clearance, which allowed Peskett to score into the open goal.
The third objective was undoubtedly the gem of all. With only six minutes left on the clock, Boswell took possession of the ball after a long pass from Peskett, and then he scored an incredible goal by sending the ball into the top-left corner of the goalmouth.
Just minutes later, Sheffield United looked for their response when Abbie Lafayette played Mollie Rouse in the penalty area; however, the keeper Natalia Negri made an impressive save. On the subsequent corner, the ball wasn’t cleared by Town, and Charlie Devlin scored to give the visitors a 3–1 lead.
But any suggestion that a recovery was possible was swiftly quashed when Graham sent Peskett down the right-hand side, and she used her excellent foot skills to make some room for herself before slotting the ball into the far corner to score her second of the game.
From there, Ipswich saw the game out with maturity and confidence, sealing a statement victory and a vital three points.
Starting XI’s
Ipswich Town Women XI: Natalia Negri; Maria Boswell (C), Paige Peake, Kenzie Weir, Bethan Roe; Leah Mitchell, Colette Cavanagh (Natasha Thomas 90+1’); Sophie Peskett, Kit Graham, Lucy Ashworth‑Clifford (Ava Baker 77’); Princess Ademiluyi (Rhianna Dean 77’)
Subs (not used): Lysianne Proulx, Grace Neville, Megan Wearing, Nelly Las, Malaika Meena, Lucy O’Brien.
Sheffield United Women XI: Sian Rogers, Sophie O’Rourke (Scarlett Hill 82′), Emma Taylor, Simone Sherwood, Leanne Cowan (Lauren Thomas 58′), Mollie Rouse, Ella Kinzett, Abbie Lafayette, Eva Butler, Amy Andrews, Charlie Devlin
Player Ratings
SXI: Natalia Negri 7, Maria Boswell 8, Paige Peake 7, Kenzie Weir 8, Bethan Roe 7, Leah Mitchell 6, Colette Cavanagh 7, Sophie Peskett 9, Kit Graham 8, Lucy Ashworth- Clifford 7, Princess Ademiluyi 6,
Subs: Ava Baker 6, Rhianna Dean 6, Natasha Thomas N/A
Hannah Darbyshire
