Sheffield United 1-4 Morecambe Ladies

Emma Kay had the first real chance of the game for Morecambe as she got a foot to Jade Thornhill’s low cross, only to see the ball scurry past the post.

The first goal came from the crowding out of Danielle Green and Kimberley Brown. Morecambe took possession on the right and eventually the ball was pushed up to Becky Whittingham who looked up to see Emma Kay making a run.

The ball was lobbed over the Sheffield United defence and Kay’s shot was parried by Lauren Santoro but Kay collected the rebound and squeezed the ball home.

It wasn’t long before Morecambe extended their lead when Beth Fisher intercepted and passed to Hannah Williamson who moved the ball up to Hannah Paling who clipped the ball out to Sophie Fish making the run out onto the right wing and Her deep cross was met by the on rushing Kay to make it 2-0.

Paling then saw a rasping shot go just wide and Fish brought a save from Santoro while Kay nearly latched onto the rebound.

The second half saw Sheffield United pushing forward leaving opportunities for Morecambe to counter, Paling brought a save from Santoro who collected the ball before it crossed the line.

With 21 minutes gone of the half, Jade Thornhill found herself behind Lucy Dent and her penetrating cross was only cleared as far as Becky Whittingham on the edge of the Sheffield United area.

She had time to control the ball, compose herself and blast the ball into the net to make it 3-0.

Morecambe were then awarded a penalty when Kay’s shot was handballed – Thornhill stepped up and hit it straight down the middle to make it 4-0.

United captain Christina Skull then sent a speculative pass forward which beat the Morecambe defence and found Ruby Hall who beat Kayleigh Hindle for a consolation goal.