Sheffield Wednesday Ladies’ FA Cup run is done for 2022/23 after a 6-0 defeat by Morley Town.

Bidding to reach the third qualifying round of the competition, the final stage before the First Round proper, the Owls came unstuck against the West Riding Prem side thanks to a strong performance from forward Lauren Nicholls.

A series of late developments meaning the hosts were only able to name a 12-player squad for the tie, with goalkeeper Courtney Tingle the lone name on the bench, but Stewart Alexander’s side came out firing and enjoyed good spells throughout the first 15 minutes.

Morley would capitalise on a goalmouth scramble against the run of play shortly after though, forging ahead in the game and positioning themselves to score another on the half hour mark.

Down by a pair of goals at the break, Alexander gave his players a boost to begin the second half but a knee injury to midfielder Molly Wilde meant she had to be withdrawn with half an hour to go, and with few options available, a reshuffle ensued and Tingle was sent up front for the remainder.

The shot stopper performed admirably, holding up the ball and bringing others into the play, with the rest of the Owls battling to find a way back into the contest.

Tired legs began to show however, with Morley pulling out of sight as Nicholls collected further goals to put her side into the hat for the next round.

SWLFC manager Alexander said after the game: “The ladies put together a gutsy performance where we started the game brightly, keeping most of the possession and playing some good football.

“Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to build on as we turn our attention toward our league campaign once again.”

SWLFC return to league action next Sunday, 9 October, at home against Barnsley FC Ladies. That game will kick off at 2pm at our home venue, SHU Sports Park, Sheffield, S9 1UA. Entry is free to all.

Elsewhere this weekend, the U16s recovered from a 2-1 half-time deficit to beat Scawthorpe Scorpions 3-2, with Kara Bennett bagging a brace and Alexandra Wyborn chipping in off the bench.

Likewise, the U15s also left themselves some work to do in the second half of their game with SAFC United. Down and out at 4-1, the Owls picked themselves up and produced a stunning fightback to win 6-5.

Sophie Carys Goodwin knocked in a hattrick to give the young Owls the spark they needed, with Kelsey Spink-Robinson (2) and Evie Fothergill also getting onto the score sheet.

The U14s made it a trio of wins as they beat Dronfield Town 7-2, whilst the U13s lost out against a strong Barnsley Ladies FC side, with a 10-1 final score in that one.

And as always, although we don’t report the scores of our younger age groups, well done to our U11 Whites against SJR Worksop Girls, our U11 Blues against Handsworth Girls and our U10s against Barnsley. All three played some great football this weekend.

For a gallery of photos from the Morley Town game, please go to the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/195857854@N04/albums/72177720302603138 

For more information on this story, please contact Dave Higgins, chairman@swlfc.co.uk