2019–20 Sheffield United W.F.C. season

The 2019–20 Sheffield United W.F.C. season was the club's 18th season and their second in the FA Women's Championship, the second level of the women's football pyramid. Outside of the league, the club also contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup. In November, having played three Championship and one League Cup game at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium, the club announced all future home games would be played at Proact Stadium in Chesterfield.[1]

Sheffield United
2019–20 season
ChairmanLee Walshaw
Head CoachCarla Ward
StadiumProact Stadium, Chesterfield
(Olympic Legacy Stadium, Sheffield until 24 November)
Championship2nd
FA CupFourth round
League CupQuarter-final
Top goalscorerLeague: Katie Wilkinson (15)
All: Katie Wilkinson (20)
Highest home attendance1,521
(vs. Manchester City, 15 January, League Cup)
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 306
(vs. Blackburn Rovers, 23 February)
All: 248
(vs. Blackburn Rovers, 3 November, League Cup)
Average home league attendance542 as of 23 February 2020

On 13 March 2020, in line with the FA's response to the coronavirus pandemic, it was announced the season was temporarily suspended until at least 3 April 2020.[2][3] After further postponements, the season was ultimately ended prematurely on 25 May 2020 with immediate effect.[4] Sheffield United sat in 2nd at the time and retained their position on sporting merit after The FA Board's decision to award places on a points-per-game basis.[5][6] Katie Wilkinson won the Championship golden boot and player of the season awards.[7]

Squad
As of 28 February 2020.[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 GK Becky Flaherty
2 DF Sophie Barker (captain)
3 MF Samantha Tierney
4 DF Leandra Little
5 DF Naomi Hartley
6 MF Kasia Lipka
7 MF Jade Pennock
8 MF Maddy Cusack
9 FW Katie Wilkinson
10 MF Alethea Paul
11 FW Chloe Dixon
No. Position Player
12 FW Rhema Lord-Mears
13 GK Emily Batty
14 FW Keri Matthews
15 FW Izzy Ford[lower-alpha 1]
17 FW Veatriki Sarri
18 DF Ali Johnson
19 FW Olivia Fergusson
20 MF Mollie Green (on loan from Manchester United)
23 GK Emily Ramsey (on loan from Manchester United)
26 FW Lucy Watson
– DF Megan Tinsley[lower-alpha 1]
  1. Dual registration with loan-club Derby County and remains eligible for Sheffield United when called upon

FA Women's Championship
Main article: 2019–20 FA Women's Championship

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
14 11 1 2 46 16  +30 34 5 1 1 23 7  +16 6 0 1 23 9  +14

Last updated: 23 February 2020.
Source: FA WSL

Matches
18 August 2019 1Aston Villa3–2Sheffield UnitedBoldmere
  • Johnson  42', 54', 66'
 Report
Stadium: Trevor Brown Memorial Ground
Attendance: 500
Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis
25 August 2019 2Sheffield United7–1Leicester CitySheffield
 Report
Stadium: Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium
Attendance: 503
Referee: Lucy Oliver
15 September 2019 3Blackburn Rovers2–3Sheffield UnitedBamber Bridge
  • Jordan  18'
  • Flint  90+3'
 Report
  • Dixon  21'
  • Wilkinson  75'
  • Pennock  83'
 Stadium: Irongate
Attendance: 491
Referee: Lucy Oliver
29 September 2019 4Sheffield United5–1Coventry UnitedSheffield
  • Fletcher  7'
  • Wilkinson  9', 42'
  • Fergusson  8'
  • Palmer  29'
  • Cusack  70'
 Report
  • Axten  20'
 Stadium: Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium
Attendance: 490
Referee: Magdalena Golba
13 October 2019 5Crystal Palace1–5Sheffield UnitedBromley
  • Mosengo  25',  29'
  • Goddard  85'
  • Johnson  88'
 Report
  • Williamson  19'
  • Pennock  24', 31', 73'
  • Fergusson  55'
  • Sarri  71'
 Stadium: Hayes Lane
Referee: Chloe-Ann Anderson
27 October 2019 6Sheffield United2–2Charlton AthleticSheffield
 Report
Stadium: Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium
Attendance: 423
Referee: Amy Barber
Note: Opening goal incorrectly credited to Pennock in original match report
17 November 2019 7Lewes1–2Sheffield UnitedLewes
 Report
  • Pennock  12'
  • Cusack  36'
  • Sarri  38'
 Stadium: The Dripping Pan
Attendance: 503
Referee: Steven Hughes
24 November 2019 8Sheffield United1–0DurhamChesterfield
 Report
  • Achterhof  62'
 Stadium: Proact Stadium
Attendance: 509
Referee: Amy Fearn
1 December 2019 9London City Lionesses1–2Sheffield UnitedDartford
 Report
Stadium: Princes Park
Referee: Aji Ajibola
8 December 2019 10Sheffield United3–1London BeesChesterfield
  • Pennock  17'
  • Fergusson  26'
  • Wilkinson  59'
 Report
  • Whinnett  57'
  • West  63'
 Stadium: Proact Stadium
Attendance: 404
15 December 2019 11Leicester City1–4Sheffield UnitedQuorn
 Report
Stadium: Farley Way Stadium
12 January 2020 12Sheffield United0–1Aston VillaChesterfield
Report Follis  56' Stadium: Proact Stadium
Attendance: 1,157
Referee: Cristiana Hattersley
19 January 2020 13Coventry United0–5Sheffield UnitedCoventry
Report
  • Palmer  16'
  • Wilkinson  39', 56'
  • Green  43'
  • Pennock  49', 53'
 Stadium: Butts Park Arena
Referee: Jon Kenny
2 February 2020 Sheffield UnitedP–PCrystal PalaceChesterfield
Stadium: Proact Stadium
Note: Postponed due to Crystal Palace's rescheduled FA Cup game
9 February 2020 Charlton AthleticP–PSheffield UnitedCrayford
Stadium: The Oakwood
Note: All Championship games postponed due to adverse weather conditions[9]
23 February 2020 Sheffield UnitedP–PLewesChesterfield
Stadium: Proact Stadium
Note: Postponed due to Lewes's rescheduled FA Cup game
23 February 2020 14Sheffield United5–1Blackburn RoversChesterfield
  • Pennock  12', 16',  50'
  • Wilkinson  56'
  • Green  59'
  • Lord-Mears  83'
 Report
  • Flint  36'
  • Fletcher  43'
  • McDonald  45'
 Stadium: Proact Stadium
Attendance: 306
Referee: Ed Duckworth
1 March 2020 Sheffield UnitedP–PCrystal PalaceChesterfield
Stadium: Proact Stadium
Note: Rescheduled from 2 February 2020. Postponed due to waterlogged pitch
15 March 2020 15Sheffield UnitedCancelledLewesChesterfield
Stadium: Proact Stadium
Note: Rescheduled from 23 February 2020. Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
22 March 2020 16DurhamCancelledSheffield UnitedDurham
Stadium: New Ferens Park
Note: Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
29 March 2020 17Sheffield UnitedCancelledLondon City LionessesChesterfield
Stadium: Proact Stadium
Note: Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
5 April 2020 18London BeesCancelledSheffield UnitedCanons Park
Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Note: Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
3 May 2020 19Sheffield UnitedCancelledCrystal PalaceChesterfield
Stadium: Proact Stadium
Note: Rescheduled from 1 March 2020. Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
TBD 20Charlton AthleticCancelledSheffield UnitedCrayford
Stadium: The Oakwood
Note: Rescheduled from 9 February 2020. Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Aston Villa (C, P) 14 13 1 0 39 11 +28 40 2.86 Promotion to the WSL[lower-alpha 1]
2 Sheffield United 14 11 1 2 46 16 +30 34 2.43
3 Durham 14 10 2 2 33 10 +23 32 2.29
4 London City Lionesses 15 8 2 5 25 24 +1 26 1.73
5 London Bees 12 4 3 5 16 19 −3 15 1.25
Source: FA WSL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted.
Notes:
  1. Dependent on obtaining a licence.

Women's FA Cup
Main article: 2019–20 Women's FA Cup

As a member of the top two tiers, Sheffield United entered the FA Cup in the fourth round, losing to FA WSL team Birmingham City in their opening fixture.[10]

26 January 2020 Fourth roundSheffield United0–3Birmingham CityChesterfield
Report
Stadium: Proact Stadium
Attendance: 335
Referee: Adam Williamson

FA Women's League Cup
Main article: 2019–20 FA Women's League Cup

Group Stage
22 September 2019 Group stageLiverpool2–3Sheffield UnitedBirkenhead
12:00
Report
  • Hartley  44'
  • Palmer  48'
  • Wilkinson  55'
  • Cusack  87'
  • Pennock  90+4'
 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 687
Referee: Kristian Silcock
19 October 2019 Group stageAston Villa3–1Sheffield UnitedBoldmere
  • Richards  20',  90+4'
  • Syme  23'
  • Hayles  52'
 Report
  • Pennock  69'
  • Dixon  78'
 Stadium: Trevor Brown Memorial Ground
Attendance: 405
Referee: Ashley List
3 November 2019 Group stageSheffield United4–1Blackburn RoversSheffield
  • Wilkinson  15' (pen.), 40'
  • Tierney  53'
  • Pennock  68'
  • Hartley  79'
 Report
  • Jukes  14'
  • Jordan  79' (pen.)
  • McDonald  85'
 Stadium: Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium
Attendance: 248
Referee: Lauren Impey
21 November 2019 Group stageDurham0–4Sheffield UnitedDurham
  • Wilson  60'
 Report
  • Matthews  29'
  • Palmer  38'
  • Pennock  64'
  • Cusack  88'
 Stadium: New Ferens Park
Referee: Lucy Oliver
11 December 2019 Group stageSheffield United2–2
(1–3 p)		Coventry UnitedChesterfield
  • Wilkinson  67', 87'
 Report
  • O'Brien  31'
  • Dermody  65'
 Stadium: Proact Stadium
Referee: Jack Hall
Penalties
  • Merrick
  • Crackle
  • Miles
  • O'Brien
Pos Team Pld W WPEN LPEN L GF GA GD Pts Qualification SHU AST LIV DUR COV BLB
1 Sheffield United 5 3 0 1 1 14 8 +6 10 Advance to Knock-out stage — — — — 2–2 4–1
2 Aston Villa 5 3 0 1 1 12 8 +4 10 3–1 — 2–0 — — 5–2
3 Liverpool 5 3 0 0 2 16 7 +9 9 2–3 — — 3–1 — —
4 Durham 5 3 0 0 2 11 8 +3 9 0–4 3–0 — — 4–0 —
5 Coventry United 5 0 3 0 2 6 14 −8 6 — 2–2 1–5 — — 1–1
6 Blackburn Rovers 5 0 0 1 4 5 19 −14 1 — — 0–6 1–3 — —
Updated to match(es) played on 11 December 2019. Source: thefa.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record

Knockout phase
15 January 2020 Quarter-finalSheffield United0–4Manchester CityChesterfield
Report
Stadium: Proact Stadium
Attendance: 1,521
Referee: Jane Simms

Squad statistics

Appearances

Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.

No. Pos Nat Player TotalFA WSLFA CupLeague Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Becky Flaherty 1401200020
2 DF Sophie Barker 1911211060
3 MF Samantha Tierney 17111+100051
4 DF Leandra Little 1601101040
5 DF Naomi Hartley 2101401060
6 MF Kasia Lipka 701+500010
7 MF Jade Pennock 191411+110105+14
8 MF Maddy Cusack 213141103+32
9 FW Katie Wilkinson 212012+215105+15
10 MF Alethea Paul 1506+30104+10
11 FW Chloe Dixon 1514+511050
12 FW Rhema Lord-Mears 310+210+1000
13 GK Emily Batty 50100040
14 FW Keri Matthews 1314+40002+31
17 FW Veatriki Sarri 20310+430+104+10
18 DF Ali Johnson 701+40000+20
19 FW Olivia Fergusson 21712+27104+20
20 MF Mollie Green 422+121000
23 GK Emily Ramsey 20101000
26 FW Lucy Watson 00000000
FW Millee Clarke 100+100000
Players away from the club on loan:
15 FW Izzy Ford 00000000
20 DF Megan Tinsley 200+200000
Players who appeared for Sheffield United but left during the season:
16 MF Aimee Palmer 1861250061
26 DF Ellie Fletcher 403+100000

Goalscorers
Rank No. Pos. Name Championship FA Cup League Cup Total
1 9 FW Katie Wilkinson 150520
2 7 MF Jade Pennock 100414
3 19 FW Olivia Fergusson 7007
4 16 MF Aimee Palmer 5016
5 8 MF Maddy Cusack 1023
17 FW Veatriki Sarri 300
7 20 MF Mollie Green 200 2
8 2 DF Sophie Barker 1001
3 MF Samantha Tierney 001
11 FW Chloe Dixon 100
12 FW Rhema Lord-Mears 100
14 FW Keri Matthews 001
Total 4601460

Transfers

Transfers in
Date Position Nationality Name From Ref.
3 July 2019 FW Katie Wilkinson London Bees [11]
4 July 2019 DF Naomi Hartley Manchester United [12]
5 July 2019 DF Leandra Little Liverpool [13]
11 July 2019 FW Olivia Fergusson Yeovil Town [14]
FW Keri Matthews York RTC [15]
1 August 2019 GK Becky Flaherty Everton [16]
GK Emily Batty Doncaster Rovers Belles [16]
9 August 2019 DF Ali Johnson Bristol City [17]
16 August 2019 MF Kasia Lipka Sunderland [18]
10 January 2020 FW Rhema Lord-Mears Blackburn Rovers [19]
28 February 2020 FW Lucy Watson Doncaster Rovers Belles [20]

Transfers out
Date Position Nationality Name To Ref.
30 May 2019 DF Ellie Gilliatt Derby County [21]
12 July 2019 FW Tania Marsden Sheffield F.C. [22]
GK Nikki Davies Retired [22]
DF Danielle Cox Celtic [22]
DF Nicole Kemp Sheffield F.C. [22]
FW Georgia Stevens AFC Fylde [22]
MF Jodie Hartley [22]
12 August 2019 FW Rebecca Rayner Nottingham Forest [23]
29 October 2019 DF Hollie Barker Nottingham Forest [24]

Loans in
Date Position Nationality Name From Until Ref.
21 August 2019 MF Aimee Palmer Manchester United 23 January 2020 [25]
24 August 2019 DF Ellie Fletcher Liverpool 10 January 2020 [26][27]
11 January 2020 MF Mollie Green Manchester United End of season [28]
24 January 2020 GK Emily Ramsey Manchester United End of season [29]

Loans out
Date Position Nationality Name To Until Ref.
4 September 2019 FW Izzy Ford Derby County End of season [30]
18 October 2019 DF Megan Tinsley Derby County End of season [31]
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References
  1. "Proact shift for Sheffield United Women". www.sufc.co.uk.
  2. Association, The Football. "Decision made to postpone professional football until Friday 3 April at the earliest". www.thefa.com.
  3. Flood, George (13 March 2020). "Women's Super League and Championship suspended due to coronavirus". Evening Standard.
  4. "Statement: FA Barclays WSL and Women's Championship season ended". womenscompetitions.thefa.com.
  5. "Chelsea named Women's Super League champions, Liverpool relegated". BBC Sport. 5 June 2020.
  6. Association, The Football. "Chelsea Women awarded Barclays FA WSL title and Aston Villa win Women's Championship". www.thefa.com.
  7. "Championship awards handed out". womenscompetitions.thefa.com.
  8. "First Team - Sheffield United". www.sufc.co.uk.
  9. "Storm Ciara forces postponements". BBC.
  10. Association, The Football. "Women's FA Cup dates". www.thefa.com.
  11. "Katie Wilkinson signs". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  12. "Naomi Hartley signs for the Blades". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  13. "Leandra Little signs for the Blades". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  14. "Olivia Fergusson signs for the Blades". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  15. "Keri Matthews signs for the Blades". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  16. "Blades strengthen with goalkeeping duo". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  17. "Ali Johnson signs". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  18. "Sheffield United sign Kasia Lipka". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  19. "Lord-Mears signs for the Blades". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
  20. "Lucy Watson signs". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  21. "Sought after Gilliatt Joins as Ewe Rams Show Intent". Derby County Ladies Football Club. 2019-05-30. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  22. "Departures". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  23. "Reds swoop for Rayner". www.nottinghamforest.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  24. "Barker checks in". www.nottinghamforest.co.uk.
  25. "Aimee Palmer signs for the Blades". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  26. "Ellie Fletcher re-joins Blades on season long loan". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  27. "Ellie Fletcher returns to Liverpool". www.sufc.co.uk. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  28. "Mollie Green joins the Blades on Loan for the remainder of the 2019/20 season". www.sufc.co.uk. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  29. "Blades Women net Man United 'keeper Emily Ramsey on loan". www.sufc.co.uk. Sheffield United. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  30. "Ewe Rams Add Izzy Ford on Dual-Signed Deal with Blades". Derby County Ladies Football Club. 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  31. "Tinsley Makes Ewe Rams Return". Derby County Ladies Football Club. 18 October 2019.
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