REPORT: Everton 1-1 Sheffield FCEverton had to settle for a point against Sheffield FC after Hannah Dale’s equaliser denied them the win.FA WSL 2 match
18:00, Saturday 30 July 2016
Select Security Stadium
Everton Ladies FC Goal Scorers: Turner 20'
Millie Turner put the Blue Girls ahead in the first half before the Liverpool loanee struck in the 48th minute to earn a share of the points.
It was a fairly quiet opening to the game with both sides looking to get a foot hold on the game, meaning chances were few and far between.
The Blue Girls slowly settled into their usual rhythm and took the lead in the 20th minute. Michelle Hinnigan whipped a corner into the six-yard area and M.Turner rose highest to nod home for an early lead.
The away side responded well to going behind and created two chances of their own shortly after. First, Rhema Lord-Mears fired narrowly wide from Hannah Dale’s cross before Kirstie Levell pulled off a great save to deny Jodie Michalska.
Following the flurry of chances, both sides went back to exchanging possession in midfield as the first half came to a close.
M.Turner found herself in space again and headed narrowly over the crossbar before Hinnigan tried her luck from the edge of the area, only to see her low shot comfortably land in the nads of Juliana Draycott.
Sheffield came out of the blocks firing after the restart and drew themselves level in the 48th minute. Dale brought down a through ball with one touch before slotting past Levell to make it 1-1.
Andy Spence’s side responded excellently to the equaliser and came close to restoring their lead 11 minutes later when Claudia Walker saw her shot fly agonizingly wide of Draycott’s goal.
The Blue Girls continued to apply the pressure and their next chance came in the 67th minute when Kelly Jones nearly caught Draycott out, but the Sheffield shot stopper recovered in time.
At the other end, Levell showed great reactions to palm a deep cross from Sophie Jones onto the post before Michalska managed to fluff her lines from a few yards out.
Moments later, substitute Chloe Dixon dragged a shot inches past the outside of the post as the away side looked to nick all three points.
Referee Darren Rogers then turned down two strong penalty appeals from the Blues Girls, much to the dismay of the majority of the 383 fans in attendance.
There was still drama to come in the 84th minute when the ball bobbled in the area before Megan Finnigan saw an effort cleared off the line by Carla Ward.
Three minutes of added time were played at the end of the second half but neither side created any chances and the points were shared.
