In an action-packed first half at the Blades’ training ground, Grace Breen handed us the lead with an excellent free-kick but that was quickly cancelled out with a stunning strike from Alexandra Rigg after just 20 minutes. Rigg grabbed her second of the afternoon to give her side the advantage before Rania Oukriss converted from the penalty spot to bring the scores level on the stroke of half time and net her second goal in as many games.
We regained the lead 10 minutes in the second period through Grace Bellwood - her 15th goal of the campaign - but the hosts fought back once again to turn the game into their favour, Mollie Austin finding an equaliser before Abigail Jones struck in the closing stages to earn her side the victory in our final away game of the season.
It was an evenly-match first quarter of the game on a lovely, sunny afternoon in south Yorkshire, with the first moment of note coming just after the 10th minute when Rigg curling effort was routine for Erin Radbourne. However, we took the lead on 16 minutes and it was something that we have come accustomed to see from Breen this season, as she sent a low, powerful drive from a central free-kick, around 25 yards out, into the bottom corner.
But that was short lived as, at the other end, Rigg produced an even better strike to bring the scores level. Receiving the ball from Ruby Shore on the right edge of the box, she sent a first time effort into the far top corner and Rigg quickly had her second of the afternoon to give her side the advantage, capitalising on Radbourne’s pass through the middle before lofting it over our shot stopper and into the back of the net.
Rigg was inches away from sealing her hat-trick by the 37th-minute, but Radbourne was on hand with a strong hand to tip her free-kick over the bar. As we approached the closing stages of the first period, Ruby Mace found Daria Ordean out wide, she raced inside and played a lovely ball into the feet of Oukriss who was brought down inside the box. Oukriss stepped up to take the spot-kick and calmly slotted away to send us in level at the break.
We started on the front foot after the restart, Ruby Gaitely firing narrowly wide from the edge of the box before some excellent pressing from Ruby Mace saw her win possession inside their half, then sliding the ball through for Bellwood to go one-on-one with the hosts’ shot stopper and she showed composure, curling low into the bottom corner. The Blades responded well after falling behind, Isobel Stewart unable to find the target from just outside of the area, but they managed to find the leveller once again in the 70th minute, Rigg turning provider with a low cross from the right and Austin got there first to slot home.
Then, seven minutes remaining of normal time, the home side completed the turnaround for the second time in the contest, Jones seeing her initial cut back blocked by Holly-Mae Elmes but she was able to force the ball home on the rebound. Rigg came close to grabbing her hat-trick in stoppage while, at the other end, Bellwood was unable to direct Eloise Summers-Mee’s cross on target, as the Blades escaped with maximum points in our penultimate game of the season.
Line-ups
Starting XI: Radbourne, Neill (Northwood 80), Elmes, Breen, Hills, Mace, Gaitely, Oukriss, Summers-Mee, Bellwood, Ordean (Deria 64). Substitutes (not used): Mylam, Bird.