Wilkinson double enough for Sheffield United at Lewes

Lewes take on Sheffield United at the Dripping Pan / Pictures: James Boyes

United secured a second FA Women’s Championship win in a row with a hard-fought but deserved 2-0 victory. A double from Katie Wilkinson was the difference between the sides in a game the visitors controlled and could have scored more.

Heavy rain pre-match meant early chances were few and far between as both sides adapted to the conditions, but it was United who soon gained a foothold in the game. After several half-chances came and went, it was Wilkinson who positioned herself to get on the end of Bex Rayner’s cross to head home her first of the afternoon.

United looked to build on their advantage and saw a goal disallowed when Courtney Sweetman-Kirk was judged to be offside before Rhema Lord-Mears curled an effort over.

Action from Lewes v Sheffield United / Pictures: James Boyes

At the start of the second half, only the width of a post stopped a Lewes own goal and the Blades sealed the game when Wilkinson curled home a free-kick from the edge of the box with just over 25 minutes to go.

Lewes had their own free-kick soon after but Megan Mackey’s effort struck the wall, before Wilkinson saw the crossbar deny her a hat-trick and Rayner volleyed the rebound wide. From that point on, Neil Redfearn’s side saw out the win with a controlled final 15 minutes to wrap up a deserved three points.

New signings Ini-Abasi Umotong and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford both came on for their debuts in the second half.

Sheffield United goalscorer Katie Wilkinson said:““It was very boggy, I think the girls are feeling it now! To go on any surface and play like that is pleasing and it's extra pleasing to do it under conditions like that."

Lewes remain sixth in the table.

Lewes (4-4-2):Laura Hartley, Sam Quayle, Rhian Cleverley, Ellie Hack, Sophie O’Rourke, Katie Rood, Danielle Lane, Ellie Noble, Megan Mackey, Georgia Timms, Simran Jhamat. Subs:Ini-Abasi Umotong for Jhamat 58’, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford for Mackey 71’, Ellie Leek for Lane 71’, Emily Donovan for Timms 87’, Nicola Cousins for Quayle 87’. Subs not used:Tatiana Saunders, Emma Jones, Filippa Savva

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