Sheffield Hallam 1′s 3-1 Oxford University 1′s
A Jess Sigsworth hat-trick fired Sheffield Hallam women’s 1′s to BUCS Trophy glory on Wednesday afternoon which also saw them complete the league and cup double after a terrific season.
Sigsworth, pictured above, is Hallam’s captain and she certainly lead by example but though she scored the goals, it was a terrific team performance from back to front with every player putting in 110%.
Lucie Bowden and Katherine Nutman both had early chances for Oxford but neither effort failed to test Sarah Horrocks in the Hallam goal. Hallam then started to grow into the game more and Sophie Davies could have put them ahead when she was found in the area from a corner, but her shot was cleared away.
It was Hallam who were doing the most probing and they got their reward when Sigsworth put them ahead. Danielle Biglin capitalised on a defensive error to win the ball and charge down the right wing; she then delivered a low cross which was perfect, allowing Sigsworth to slot the ball home under Oxford ‘keeper, Georgina Koffler.
Hallam did not have to wait too long before their lead was doubled. Sigsworth latched on to a through ball and from the right of the area, she hit a low shot across goal which nestled nicely into the far corner.
Though it was a great start by Hallam, Oxford knew they still had plenty of time to get back into the game and they kept trying to claw a goal back. They were awarded a freekick on the edge of the Hallam area but could only find the wall, yet with their next set piece, they were to halve the deficit. The ball was played into the Hallam area and Hannah Griffiths was on hand to turn the ball home.
The goal gave Oxford confidence but they nearly suffered a big blow as Hallam came agonisingly close to adding a third before half time. Sigsworth received a short corner on the left hand side and her cross was deflected off an Oxford defender and onto the top of the bar with Koffler stranded in the Oxford net.
Oxford were applying some strong pressure in the opening to the second half with Lucie Bowden heading a good chance over the bar from a corner. That was the best it got for them really with the Hallam defence standing firm and dealing with anything their opponents threw at them.
As the clock ticked down, Hallam found themselves caught between going for a third to kill the game off or sitting back and protecting their lead. They came inches away from doing the former, as the ball fell to Liv Greenhalgh from a corner and she smashed an effort towards goal which unfortunately struck the stanchion.
The ultimately decisive goal came around ten minutes from time. Sigsworth lept the highest to meet a corner from the right and her thumping header found the back of the net, despite the best efforts of Koffler.
Oxford nearly responded straight from kick off with what was their last meaningful attack. A ball over the top found Anne Plochowietz but Sarah Horrocks charged out of her goal to smother the effort.
Hallam could have added a fourth before full time as Alice Ashe was played through one-on-one, only to be denied by a good save from Koffler in what was the last attack of the game.
The referee’s final whistle sparked joyful celebrations from Hallam who fully deserved the win. In her post-match huddle, coach Julie Grundy spoke of her pride of the players but also challenged them to go and add another cherry to the top of the cake by winning the play-offs in April.
SHU Team: Sarah Horrocks; Millie Turner, Dionne Lawton, Becky Vickers, Chelsea Smart; Fay Cassidy (Sub off) , Alice Ashe, Sophie Davies; Danielle Biglin, Jess Sigsworth, Liv Greenhalgh. Sub on: Georgia Hewitt.
UoO Team: Georgina Koffler, Charley Turton (Sub off), Hannah Griffiths, Lucie Bowden, Anne Plochowietz, Helen Bridgman, Sophie Cooper, Nadia Haven, Anna Green, Rebecca May, Katherine Nutman. Sub on: Laura Jennings.
