Sheffield celebrated Women’s Football Weekend at The Home of Football on Sunday, with Sheffield FC Women’s and Peterborough United Ladies playing out a 1-1 draw.
Women’s Football Weekend aims to encourage anyone to come down to their local women’s side and take in what there is to offer, with the tagline being ‘Pick a Pride, Back A Side.’
Support for the women’s game is vital, especially as the football calendar begins to run down for those specific sides.
Sheffield FC Women’s only have five games left to play in Division One Midlands this campaign, John Bennett’s team currently occupying 9th position.
The Sheffield FC Women’s manager even had family supporting in the stands, his Dad – also called John – is a keen regular at Sheffield FC and advocate for the women’s game.
He said: “I think the effort the girls put into football is fantastic to the tune where I’d rather watch a girl’s match than a Premier Division match to be honest!”
Peterborough United Ladies came into this contest in more positive spirits, travelling up to the North after a convincing 3-0 win over Leafield Athletic.
Increased attendances at the Posh Ladies have added to the feel good factor at the club, with a number of away supporters from Peterborough present for this Women’s Football Weekend encounter.
Dan Lawlor, who manages Peterborough United Ladies, spoke of the changing attitudes towards the women’s game pre-match.
He said: “Women’s football has gotten so much more coverage over the years, especially since the Lionesses (England Womens winning the Euros)
With that in mind, anyone who comes to watch it will always have a different opinion on it. When you actually come and watch what these girls have to offer and what they can do, they’re such good footballers.”
The game on the day was an end-to-end, full-blooded affair.
Peterborough United Ladies scored within the first few minutes, Keir Perkins for the visitors crossing to Tara Kirk to place past Sheffield FC Women’s goalkeeper Leah Kellogg.
Sheffield FC Women’s instantly responded – and after spurning a few opportunities – levelled courtesy of a defensive mix-up from the Posh Ladies.
After that, the home side missed a penalty with the atmosphere at The Home of Football backing both sets of players in what was a competitive affair.
The final score would finish 1-1, a great advert for the women’s game.
Speaking to volunteer Peterborough United Ladies’ photographer Emma afterwards and keen supporters on the day, it’s clear lots of good is being done at both these clubs.
She said: “They’re amazing. The staff, the team, the supporters, everyone.
“It’s made me feel like I’m really part of it all. It’s fun!”
