The Owlesses look likely to finish fifth in the North East Regional Women’s Football League South, three places higher than last season, and with six points more than they amassed over the course of the 2024/25 campaign.

It marks a season of progress for SWLFC, who will now be looking to add to their squad over the summer in order to try and finish even higher in their upcoming campaign. It won’t be easy, but they’re hopeful of keeping hold of their key players - and building on what they achieved this time around.

Their manager, who returned to the fold for the final stretch of the season, is aiming high.

Wednesday Ladies eye further progress

“Looking back on our season I am pleased with the progress the squad has made,” Lee told The Wednesday Word. “We have a talented group who are loyal and always looking to learn and improve. We have built an identity into the first team squad, and the results at times have shown we are going in the right direction.

“The youngsters who have been given an opportunity have all done really well. Looking at new players coming in, we will be holding trials and I definitely want to look to give some of our youngsters at the club the opportunity to push for a shot at first-team football. All in all, it’s been a good season - but we want to improve and push for a higher league finish next season.”

In terms of key performers, Nicole Shaw, finished up as the club’s top goalscorer with 11 - one ahead of Amy Broomhead (10) - while Rachel Norsworthy’s six assists saw her claim the title of top creator.

Both Shaw and Broomhead contributed a total of 14 G/A, the highest of anyone in the side, while Imogen Yeardley - with her 20 appearances - went down as the most-used player. All are set to play a big role in 2026/27, with some fresh faces set to join the fight as well.

The Owlesses’ campaign drew to a close in exasperating fashion as a second-half goal sealed the points for the home side. It means that Kieron Lee’s side will finish either fourth, fifth or sixth in the North East Regional Women’s Football League South.

It was a very end-to-end encounter from the get-go, with both sides struggling to assert themselves due to the poor standard of the pitch. Despite this, Wednesday looked the better of the two sides, however were missing that crucial quality in the final third.

The sides went into the break level, with a more clinical edge in front of goal required in order to find the breakthrough, though big chances had been few and far between.

The second half followed a similar trend, with the game continuing to be stretched and with lack of quality opportunities for both sides. Wednesday controlled possession, but it couldn’t make it stick in key attacking areas, making it easier for the hosts’ backline to fight them off.

Then, against the run of play, Rossington managed to find the back of the net. It was Alice Linsell who got it, opening the scoring in what had been a pretty even game of football.

One of those days

Though the visiting team pushed forward in search of an equaliser, the game continued in a similar manner to how it had played out prior to the goal - and ultimately Lee’s side were unable to find a breakthrough.

A late chance fell to Jodie Gregory, whose effort looked goal-bound, only for Rossington goalkeeper Niamh Trayner to pull off a wonder save and deny the Owlesses what would have been a deserved equaliser. It was going to be one of those days.

So that was how the game concluded, with SWLFC’s final outing of the 25/26 campaign ending in a narrow and frustrating defeat. It was a disappointing way to finish the season, especially with third place on the cards, but the work rate and determination of this squad couldn’t be faulted. Especially that of Alex Pruitt, who landed the Player of the Match award after a battling individual performance.

With that, a season of up-and-downs came to a close… As things stand, Wednesday Ladies look set for a fifth-place - though that depends on results elsewhere - and that’s a significant improvement on last year.

Across all competitions, it was attacker, Nicole Shaw, who finished up as the club’s top goalscorer with 11 to her name, one ahead of Amy Broomhead (10), while Rachel Norsworthy’s six assists saw her claim the title of top creator. Both Shaw and Broomhead contributed a total of 14 G/A, the highest of anyone in the side, while Imogen Yeardley - with her 20 appearances - went down as the most-used player.

Now, with a busy summer ahead, changes are expected at SWLFC - and they’ll be hoping to climb even further up the table come this time next year.

By Ollie Ledger

The title-chasing Mods put the Owlesses to the sword on Sunday afternoon, although the scoreline probably didn’t reflect the overall performance shown on the pitch by the home side.

Wednesday came into the match unbeaten in three, but knew it would be a tough test against a Modernians side who could go top of the table with a victory.

The first half was a tightly-contested one, with both sides matching each other for work rate and intensity in what was proving to be an end-to-end game. Clear-cut chances were limited early on, with both teams staying disciplined and organised in and out of possession. Wednesday battled persistently but struggled ultimately in the final third.

And it was the team from Leeds who eventually broke the deadlock, with an error from the hosts seeing them go into the break with a 1-0 deficit, despite a resilient showing.

Missed chances prove costly

The second half proved to be a tale of both missed opportunities for Wednesday, and clinical finishing from the visitors. Changes were made at half-time in midfield and up top to attempt to gain more control, but the Mods shifted into an aggressive 4-2-4 formation that put them on the front foot.

Amy Broomhead and Jodie Gregory both had promising chances, but luck wasn’t on Wednesday’s side. The Owlesses could easily have scored three or four against a top side, but were left to rue their lack of clinicalness.

Leeds, meanwhile, were the opposite. The promotion-chasers were ruthless when their chances arrived, putting four past Holly Coughlan in the second half - including an excellent strike from midfielder Mia Moorhouse, who controlled the ball on the half-turn before finishing superbly.

In the end, it wasn’t Wednesday’s day, and while end result somewhat flattered the visitors, it will have given Kieron Lee plenty of food for thought. The Player of the Match was awarded to Rachel Norsworthy for a solid display at left back, though it won’t be an afternoon that any SWLFC player will remember too fondly.

Now Wednesday turn their attentions to Rossington Main, and the final game of the campaign. Following Altofts’ draw with York over the weekend, the Owlesses dropped to 4th - though only on goal difference…

With third place still achievable, Wednesday will be aiming for a win in the season finale, while hoping that results elsewhere go their way. Altofts still have to face the league’s top two sides, so a top-three finish is by no means out of reach for the women in blue and white.

By Ollie Ledger

The Owlesses are finishing the season strongly, and are looking good to secure a top-four finish in the North East Regional Southern Division. Lee, who has spent time as manager before, was brought in to lead the team forward after Andy Gilligan’s recent departure, and what has followed is seven points from a possible nine.

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In a world where the women’s game is growing faster than ever, where millions of pounds are being paid for some of its brightest talents, there are still teams being left to pick up scraps despite bearing the name of professional clubs paying out seven-figure salaries.

Wednesday Ladies are one such club, and after being left to fend for themselves under the reign of Dejphon Chansiri, recent conversations have given them hope for a brighter future that might see them taken under the wing of the club whose badge sits on their chest.

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In a crucial game in the fight for third in the North East Regional Women's Football League, the Owlesses came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw away at Altofts.

Despite recent wins over Rossington and Millmoor, coach Kieron Lee had called for improved performances heading into their key clash on Sunday.

In difficult conditions, with strong winds and a bobbly pitch, the game got off to a nightmare start. The hosts’ striker, Grace Wilkinson, struck within the opening two minutes, with Holly Coughlan being beaten as Lee’s side fell behind early doors.

Wednesday responded well to the early setback, though, showing real spirit against a physical home. It took them a while, but their persistence eventually paid off 15 minutes before half-time through top scorer, Nicole Shaw. A brilliant switch of play found her just outside the box, and she struck first time on the half volley - sending the ball into the top corner in emphatic fashion.

So it was 1-1 as the sides went in at half-time, and Wednesday fully deserved to be back on level terms after a strong response to a horrible start.

SWLFC maintained their control going into the second stanza - this time with the wind in their favour - as Mother Nature blew some very good balls over the top of the Altofts backline. Sadly, however, it was the home side that found the third goal - scoring from the spot via Nadine Bates after being awarded a fortuitous penalty.

Once again, however the visitors responded well. By showing resilience, and refusing to let their heads drop, SWLFC kept up the pressure. They continued to battle for every ball, and were finally rewarded in the 70th minute through Jodie Gregory, who reacted quickest to a loose ball and slotted into the bottom corner. 2-2.

Wednesday tried to push for a winner as the game drew to a close, and ultimately created the better chances of the two sides. The biggest opportunity came through U18s talent, Annie Hall, whose goal-bound effort was brilliantly saved by the Altofts goalkeeper, denying what looked like a certain winner. The spoils were shared, but not through a lack of trying.

Wednesday may feel slightly disappointed not to taking all three points, but there were once again plenty of positives to take moving forward after a hard-fought performance against a tough side in harsh conditions. The Player of the Match award went the way of Hall for a tireless performance on her first start, and the Owlesses remained in third place. Altofts are just a point behind with a game in hand.

Next up for SWLFC is their penultimate game of the 25/26 season, with a tough test at home against title-challenging Leeds Modernians not too far away.

By Ollie Ledger

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It wasn’t a fast start from the Owlesses, with Millmoor making things difficult early on and preventing the visitors from settling into their usual rhythm. Despite that, Kieron Lee’s side were able to show their quality when it mattered.

Just past the 10-minute mark, their new signing, Keely Franklin, broke the deadlock with a close-range goal right into the roof of the net, marking her third goal in just two appearances for Wednesday.

Then, 15 minutes later, the lead was doubled by Nicole Shaw… And in style, too. She took on a couple of Millmoor players before calmly slotting into the corner - a tidy finish, and her first goal since returning.

Going into half-time, the visitors were 2-0 up in tricky conditions and could be pleased with their efforts against a home side putting up a great fight as they battle to stay in the division.

Despite their valiant efforts, the hosts were simply outclassed by Wednesday. And it was substitute, Courtney Kaye, who delivered the final blow. Her acrobatic effort on the half volley made it 3-0 to seal the win, and also made it two goals in two games for the striker.

While Wednesday weren’t quite at their best, they did remain defensively solid at Droppingwell Road and took the chances that were presented to them. Standout performances came from Imogen Yeardley and Bekah Pratley, with the duo sharing the Player of the Match award for their composed display at the back.

That win saw Lee’s troops move up to third in the table with just three games left to go in the season, and they’re looking to finish strongly. Next weekend, on the road again, comes a massive fixture for the Owlesses as they seek a top-three finish - they face Altofts, who sit just two points behind in fourth, and have a big chance to take ownership of their current position.

By Ollie Ledger

Following last week’s disappointing result against Handsworth, returning manager Lee looked to hit the ground running as Wednesday took on Rossington.

The first ten minutes set the pace for what would be a chaotic ninety minutes of football, with neither team able to establish any real control early on.

The first breakthrough came in the twelfth minute when a lovely low-driven ball through drew the Rossington keeper off her goal line. In a rash decision, the ‘keeper cleaned out Jodie Gregory, and Wednesday were awarded a penalty. It was coolly slotted home by Keeley Franklin to give the hosts an early lead.

They came close to doubling their lead almost immediately, too, when Rachel Norsworthy whipped in a superb cross towards captain, Eleanor Vessey… Unfortunately, the skipper couldn’t quite get her toe to the ball to steer it home.

Not long after, in the 21st minute, Rachel Norsworthy delivered another great cross from the right-hand side. This time around a goal looked certain as Gregory met the ball first in acres of space, but the effort rolled agonisingly wide of the post and it remained 1-0.

The Owlesses’ number 21 didn’t take long to redeem herself though, doubling Wednesday’s lead soon afterwards with a powerful header as she rose above the away centre-back to head home.

Wednesday weren’t resting on their laurels, and continued to press forward as they looked to close out the half. Amy Broomhead’s well-struck attempt rattled the woodwork in the 35th minute, but it would be Franklin who grabbed a deserved third goal of the half. After a defensive mishap presented the ball to Vessey, the captain laid it off to the number nine, who expertly lifted the ball into the roof of the net from close range. The hosts ended a dominant first-half display with three goals to show for it.

Momentum shifted after the restart, Lee’s troops took a little time to settle into the game again. Rossington were enjoying their best spell of the game, but against the run of play the home side made it four.

A long ball over the top from Imogen Yeardley was met in the air by Gregory, and her clever knock-on created a one-on-one opportunity for Broomhead. It was bread and butter for the striker, and she made no mistake as she calmly placed the ball past the goalkeeper.

Rossington, to their credit, continued to grow into the game and were eventually rewarded with their first goal, converting a penalty following a handball decision in the box. A dangerous delivery bounced up onto the arm of Molly Crossland, giving the referee little choice.

The visitors’ momentum proved to be short-lived, though. With just over an hour played their defence was once again exposed by a simple ball over the top. Courtney Kaye extended the lead to 5–1 after finding herself with acres of space behind the back line, and she finished calmly from just inside the box. They were cruising, but the away side weren’t about to throw in the towel.

Lee Briggs’ side pulled another goal back when a well-taken chance fell to their right winger on the edge of the box, who neatly slotted into the bottom left corner. 5-2.

Again the hosts responded, though, and in the 72nd minute, Millie Colford was fouled around eight yards outside the penalty area after a late tackle from the defender. Colford stepped up herself, and with a worldie of a free-kick that nestled perfectly into the top right corner she made it 6–2.

Rossington rallied late, grabbing two consolation goals, but it wouldn’t change the final outcome. The first came in the 76th minute when an attempted cross hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity before looping over the Hollie Coughlan and bouncing into the roof of the net. The second, and final goal of the game arrived with six minutes of normal time remaining as a moment of individual brilliance saw Rossington’s winger strike a first-time effort from twenty-five yards that rocketed into the top corner. Coughlan stood no chance at all.

Despite the away side’s late efforts, Wednesday were thoroughly deserving winners at the Jubilee Sports Ground, and were delighted to claim their victory as the referee blew the final whistle. A 6-4 goalfest, and three big points on the board.

By Ollie Ledger