By 
Aston Villa Women got their first win of their Continental Cup campaign with a win at Boldmere against Sheffield United Women.
Words: @findfoy
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Aston Villa Women faced Sheffield United Women for what feels like the seventeenth time in the last two seasons, and the second time this season at Boldmere St. Michaels, in the Continental Cup this evening under the floodlights.
The game had a relatively stagnant opening – with both sides playing around the midfield. Within the first fifteen minutes there had only been one shot – from Sheffield United Women – with Daniela Kosinska saving easily.
After the slow start, it only took a further five minutes for the Aston Villa Women to take the lead. Captain Jade Richards rose the highest from a corner, heading dominantly into the back of the net to give the home side the lead.
Just two minutes later, England youth international Emily Syme managed to find herself able to round the ‘keeper and slot into the empty net for her first goal in claret and blue.
Their two goals within a three minute period meant that the two sides went in at the break with Aston Villa Women holding a relatively strong lead.
The second half started strongly for the Villans, and within eight minutes they had added another to their lead.
Young forward Shania Hayles, playing alongside veteran striker Kerri Welsh, turned sharply within the opposition box before placing her shot into the bottom corner.
The 66th brought something that fans had been waiting for – the return of starlet Jodie Hutton from injury. We had spoken to her recently about how the injury has been affecting her, so it is sublime to see her back on the pitch.
Just four minutes after Jodie’s arrival, the Blades managed to drag themselves towards a potential way back in to the game as Pennock pounced on a loose ball following a save from Villa ‘keeper Daniela Kosinska.
As the game etched towards its final embers, Amy West and Charlotte Greengrass were subbed on for Aston Villa.
The last ten minutes were sustained Sheffield pressure, and after a prolonged period of extra time, several minutes in fact, Jade Richards was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity for Sheffield United Women.
Despite the prolonged pressure and eventual red card, the Aston Villa Women held strong to secure their victory and place some points onto the table within their Continental Cup group.
