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Sheffield United overcame a first-half deficit to sink London City Lionesses 3-1 at Bramall Lane on Saturday [7 October].
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah headed Carolina Morace’s squad into an early lead in the Barclays Women’s Championship, but they were derailed after the break by goals from Isobel Goodwin and Ashley Hodson.
The Pride’s disappointing afternoon was compounded by a red card to Georgia Brougham, who brought Goodwin down as she raced into Grace Moloney’s penalty area.
Fran Stenson performed excellently for the hosts, denying long-range efforts from Lois Joel and Danielle Carter to ensure Jonathan Morgan’s side collected all three points on home soil.
“After we took the lead, we had more chances to score but we didn’t take them,” Morace said at full-time, “I think we need to manage the ball more calmly when we are winning and are conceding too many goals without reason.
“Individually, we need to improve at how we protect the ball and use more energy because this is a league where you win the game if you win most of your individual duels. There are some positives, we played well down the left wing in the first half, but we need to get better at winning duels.”
Boye-Hlorkah broke the deadlock on the 25-minute mark, rising highest in the penalty area to connect flick Emma Mukandi’s corner delivery beyond the reach of Stenson.
However, the Blades produced a determined response in the second-half, equalising through Goodwin shortly after the break with a well-executed corner of routine of their own.
Hodson fired the hosts ahead in the 64th minute, cutting inside from the left before blazing her shot across Moloney and into the top corner.
Goodwin doubled her tally for the afternoon with 12 minutes remaining, converting from the penalty spot after the dismissal of Brougham.
The Pride return to Princes Park on Wednesday [11 October], welcoming Watford to Dartford in the Continental Tyres League Cup for a 7pm kick-off.