Missed chances lead to heavy Sheffield Wednesday Ladies defeat - third place still up for grabs
Sheffield Wednesday Ladies fell to a 5-0 defeat against title hopefuls, Leeds Modernians, in their final home game of the 25/26 season.
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