BLADES THROUGH IN INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

SHEFFIELD UTD WOMEN 2 COVENTRY LADIES 2 [PENS 1-3]
INTERCONTINENTAL CUP GROUP A @ THE PROACT
11 DECEMBER 2019 --- 7.30PM
Sheffield United secured the point that sees them qualify as group winners thanks to a Katie Wilkinson 25 yard free kick three minutes from time as The Blades stormed back from two down against a resolute Coventry United side.

BLADES MANAGER CARLA WARD SEES HER SIDE QUALIFY FOR THE CUP QUARTER FINALS

With another set of fixtures falling to the further downpour this interesting group game was always on the cards at Chesterfield Fc and being probably a couple of years since I last saw a women's game with that being the final of this same competition at the same ground it was time to pop along again.
This one is a nice and local two bus trip journey and pre-match was in the local Greggs after the KFC looked to be having a discouraging night when I arrived.  Entrance paid at a fiver was supplemented by a flattering to deceive programme at £2 this was a shiny effort but turned out to be a very poor 8 pages which covered the absolute minimum without really advancing the women's game and this competition which was a bit of a shame.  I hope the fast developing game will not fall into Football League and Premiership prices there was further evidence of big ground experiences even though The Proact is a non league ground now when at half time I warmed up with a Bovril and kit-kat [duo] for £4.
With just the main stand open on a bitterly cold night the crowd looked around 100 quite a bit down from United 'home' fixture on Sunday that attracted around 400.  The Blades led the group and had to better a selection of teams around them with the top two qualifying a top spot should see an easier draw in the quarter finals, although this has turned out to be Manchester City. 
Both sides were out warming up early on and the shooting boots of the strikes for United were looking good with the impressive Katie Wilkinson packing a good old shot and with manager Carla Ward overseeing proceedings all looked comfortable against tonight's opposition who could not qualify.
The opening thirty minutes had been all Sheffield United with some lovely sweeping play just finding the final touch was the elusive element and then it happened Coventry had produced nothing Helen Dermody put through Shannon O'Brien whose cross floated in beating all and fell in at the back post.
The second half saw the home side gain the upper hand but again it happened Rosie Axton showed a great turn of pace down the right and Dermody stretched to convert well from close range to double the lead.
A really hard score line to accept from a United point of view but cometh the hour cometh Wilkinson she finished of a cross from the left in 67 minutes and then with three minutes left fried home a low free kick from distance for the goal that would prove enough.  Even then they could have won it but for an excellent save from the Coventry keeper after Jade Pennock struck an effort goal bound.
The resultant penalty shoot out which I knew was a requirement in these games but left without seeing due to the potential very late return due to public transport restriction and I also forgot, even after reminding myself twenty minutes earlier, was lost 3-1 by The Blades. 
Thankfully the extra point gained by Coventry was not massively relevant as the home side topped the group on goal difference from Aston Villa and Liverpool in third both who would have qualified if Wilkinson had not struck home that free kick close to time.
An enjoyable evening if somewhat cold alright very cold and great to catch up with the women's game which has everybody is aware has come along tremendously with some excellent skill and ever increasing fitness levels assist the entertainment.