2020–21 Sheffield United W.F.C. season

Sheffield United
2020–21 season
ChairmanLee Walshaw
Head CoachNeil Redfearn
StadiumTechnique Stadium, Chesterfield
Championship4th
FA CupFifth round
League CupGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Katie Wilkinson (19)
All: Katie Wilkinson (20)

The 2020–21 Sheffield United W.F.C. season was the club's 19th season and their third 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.

Prior to the start of the season, on 7 July 2020, Sheffield United announced they had parted ways with manager Carla Ward after "both parties opted to go down a different path."[1] Neil Redfearn was announced as the new manager on 28 August.[2]

Squad

As of 23 April 2021.[3]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF England ENG Ellie Wilson
3 DF Northern Ireland NIR Natalie Johnson
4 DF England ENG Leandra Little (captain)
5 DF England ENG Naomi Hartley
6 MF England ENG Kasia Lipka
7 FW England ENG Jade Pennock
8 MF England ENG Maddy Cusack
9 FW England ENG Katie Wilkinson
10 MF England ENG Alethea Paul
11 DF England ENG Chloe Dixon
12 MF England ENG Rhema Lord-Mears
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 GK England ENG Emily Batty
15 MF England ENG Tamara Wilcock
16 FW England ENG Lucy Watson
17 MF England ENG Katie Anderson
18 MF England ENG Sophie Walton
19 FW England ENG Charley Docherty
20 GK England ENG Fran Kitching
21 MF England ENG Bex Rayner
22 DF England ENG Ocean Rolandsen
23 FW England ENG Courtney Sweetman-Kirk
46 FW England ENG Melissa Johnson

Preseason

12 August 2020 Friendly Manchester City 6–0 Sheffield United Manchester
Report Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
16 August 2020 Friendly Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 Sheffield United Enfield
Report Stadium: Hotspur Way
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

FA Women's Championship

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
20 11 5 4 37 15  +22 38 4 4 2 16 7  +9 7 1 2 21 8  +13

Last updated: 2 May 2021.
Source: FA WSL

Results

6 September 2020 1 London City Lionesses 1–4 Sheffield United Dartford
14:00
Report
Stadium: Princes Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Sarah Garratt
13 September 2020 2 Sheffield United 2–2 Leicester City Chesterfield
14:00
Report
Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
27 September 2020 3 Sheffield United 4–0 London Bees Chesterfield
14:00
Report Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Georgia Ball
11 October 2020 4 Coventry United 0–3 Sheffield United Coventry
14:00 Report
Stadium: Butts Park Arena
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Magdalena Golba
18 October 2020 5 Sheffield United 0–0 Lewes Chesterfield
13:00 Report Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Simon Simpson
1 November 2020 6 Sheffield United 3–0 Crystal Palace Chesterfield
14:00 Report
Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Tom Reeves
8 November 2020 7 Liverpool 1–0 Sheffield United Birkenhead
14:00
Report Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Daniel Locker
15 November 2020 8 Sheffield United 0–1 Durham Chesterfield
14:00
Report
Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Andy Sykes
22 November 2020 9 Charlton Athletic 0–1 Sheffield United Crayford
14:00 Report
Stadium: The Oakwood
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Simon Finnigan
13 December 2020 10 Sheffield United 3–3 Blackburn Rovers Chesterfield
14:00
Report Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Oliver
20 December 2020 11 Sheffield United 0–0 London City Lionesses Chesterfield
14:00 Report
Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis
10 January 2021 12 Leicester City 2–1 Sheffield United Quorn
14:00
Report
Stadium: Farley Way Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
17 January 2021 13 Sheffield United 3–0 Coventry United Chesterfield
14:00
Report
Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Amy Barber
24 January 2021 14 Lewes 0–2 Sheffield United Lewes
13:00 Report
Stadium: The Dripping Pan
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Robert Whitton
7 February 2021 15 London Bees 2–4 Sheffield United Canons Park
14:00
Report Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Simon Finnigan
14 March 2021 16 Sheffield United 1–0 Charlton Athletic Chesterfield
14:00 Report Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Oliver
28 March 2021 17 Durham 1–1 Sheffield United Durham
12:00
Report Stadium: Maiden Castle
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Amy Fearn
4 April 2021 18 Crystal Palace 0–3 Sheffield United Bromley
14:00 Report
Stadium: Hayes Lane
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Amy Barber
25 April 2021 19 Sheffield United 0–1 Liverpool Chesterfield
14:00 Report
Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Magdalena Golba
2 May 2021 20 Blackburn Rovers 1–2 Sheffield United Bamber Bridge
14:00
Report
Stadium: Sir Tom Finney Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Karl Buckley

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
2 Durham 20 12 6 2 34 15 +19 42
3 Liverpool 20 11 6 3 37 15 +22 39
4 Sheffield United 20 11 5 4 37 15 +22 38
5 Lewes 20 8 4 8 19 22 −3 28
6 London City Lionesses 20 6 6 8 19 19 0 24
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored

Women's FA Cup

As a member of the top two tiers, Sheffield United will enter the FA Cup in the fourth round proper. Originally scheduled to take place on 31 January 2021, it was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.[4][5]

18 April 2021 Fourth round Middlesbrough 0–9 Sheffield United Billingham
14:00 Report
Stadium: Bedford Terrace
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
16 May 2021 Fifth round Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 (a.e.t.) Sheffield United Canons Park
14:00
Report
Stadium: The Hive
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Abigail Byrne

FA Women's League Cup

7 October 2020 Group stage Aston Villa 1–0 Sheffield United Walsall
19:30
Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Elizabeth Simms
3 November 2020 Group stage Sheffield United 0–6 Durham Chesterfield
19:45 Report
Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Christina Hattersley
19 November 2020 Group stage Coventry United 0–4 Sheffield United Coventry
19:45 Report
Stadium: Butts Park Arena
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Callum Parke

Pos Team Pld W WPEN LPEN L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AST DUR SHU COV
1 Aston Villa 3 2 1 0 0 11 1 +10 8 Advanced to knock-out stage 1–0
2 Durham 3 2 0 1 0 12 3 +9 7 Possible knock-out stage based on ranking 1–1 5–2
3 Sheffield United 3 1 0 0 2 4 7 −3 3 0–6
4 Coventry United 3 0 0 0 3 2 18 −16 0 0–9 0–4
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

Squad statistics

Appearances

As of 16 May 2021

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

No. Pos Nat Player Total League FA Cup League Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2 DF England ENG Ellie Wilson 6 0 4+1 0 0 0 1 0
3 DF Northern Ireland NIR Natalie Johnson 16 0 11+2 0 2 0 1 0
4 DF England ENG Leandra Little 23 1 18 0 2 0 3 1
5 DF England ENG Naomi Hartley 25 2 20 2 2 0 3 0
6 MF England ENG Kasia Lipka 25 0 20 0 2 0 3 0
7 FW England ENG Jade Pennock 20 5 11+7 4 0 0 2 1
8 MF England ENG Maddy Cusack 23 1 18 0 2 1 3 0
9 FW England ENG Katie Wilkinson 25 20 19+1 19 2 0 2+1 1
10 MF England ENG Alethea Paul 5 0 1+2 0 0 0 0+2 0
11 DF England ENG Chloe Dixon 13 0 9+2 0 0+1 0 1 0
12 MF England ENG Rhema Lord-Mears 24 3 14+5 0 2 3 2+1 0
13 GK England ENG Emily Batty 1 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0
15 MF England ENG Tamara Wilcock 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
16 FW England ENG Lucy Watson 15 2 3+8 0 0+2 2 2 0
17 MF England ENG Katie Anderson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 MF England ENG Sophie Walton 14 0 4+5 0 0+2 0 1+2 0
19 FW England ENG Charley Docherty 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
20 GK England ENG Fran Kitching 24 0 20 0 2 0 2 0
21 MF England ENG Bex Rayner 11 2 8+1 1 2 1 0 0
22 DF England ENG Ocean Rolandsen 10 0 8 0 2 0 0 0
23 FW England ENG Courtney Sweetman-Kirk 22 8 11+6 5 2 3 1+2 0
46 FW England ENG Melissa Johnson 19 6 9+6 5 0+1 0 1+2 1
Players who appeared for the club but left during the season:
1 GK Northern Ireland NIR Becky Flaherty 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
14 FW England ENG Keri Matthews 12 0 1+7 0 0+2 0 1+1 0
15 DF England ENG Hannah Coan 2 0 0+2 0 0 0 0 0
17 FW Greece GRE Veatriki Sarri 13 0 9+1 0 0 0 2+1 0
24 DF England ENG Ali Johnson 2 0 1+1 0 0 0 0 0
25 MF New Zealand NZL Olivia Chance 3 0 1+1 0 0 0 1 0

Transfers

Transfers in

Date Position Nationality Name From Ref.
28 July 2020 FW England Melissa Johnson England Aston Villa [6]
7 August 2020 DF England Ellie Wilson England London Bees [7]
8 August 2020 MF England Sophie Walton England Nottingham Forest [8]
DF Northern Ireland Natalie Johnson England Leicester City [9]
22 August 2020 GK England Fran Kitching England Liverpool [10]
26 September 2020 MF New Zealand Olivia Chance England Bristol City [11]
2 October 2020 FW England Courtney Sweetman-Kirk England Liverpool [12]
8 January 2021 MF England Bex Rayner England Nottingham Forest [13]
16 January 2021 DF England Ocean Rolandsen England Watford [14]
6 February 2021 MF England Katie Anderson England Derby County [15]

Loans in

Date Position Nationality Name From Until Ref.
12 September 2020 DF England Hannah Coan England Everton 4 November 2020 [16][17]

Transfers out

Date Position Nationality Name To Ref.
12 June 2020 DF England Sophie Barker England Leicester City [18][19]
26 June 2020 FW England Izzy Ford United States South Alabama Jaguars [20]
27 July 2020 MF England Sam Tierney England Leicester City [21][19]
FW England Olivia Fergusson England Leicester City [21][19]
4 November 2020 DF England Ali Johnson England Blackburn Rovers [17][22]
23 November 2020 MF New Zealand Olivia Chance Australia Brisbane Roar [23]
7 January 2021 MF Greece Veatriki Sarri England Birmingham City [24]
17 March 2021 FW England Keri Matthews United States Arizona State Sun Devils [25]
23 April 2021 GK Northern Ireland Becky Flaherty England Blackburn Rovers [26][27]

References

  1. ^ "Carla departs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  2. ^ "Neil Redfearn announced as women's head coach". www.sufc.co.uk.
  3. ^ "First Team - Sheffield United". www.sufc.co.uk.
  4. ^ "The Women's FA Cup Season 2020–21 List of Exemptions" (PDF). thefa.com. The Football Association. 10 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Women's FA Cup to remain suspended during coronavirus lockdown". Sky Sports.
  6. ^ "Mel Johnson signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Ellie Wilson signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  8. ^ "Sophie Walton signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Nat Johnson signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  10. ^ "Fran Kitching signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  11. ^ "Olivia Chance signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  12. ^ "Courtney Sweetman-Kirk signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  13. ^ "Bex Rayner re-signs". Sheffield United FC.
  14. ^ "Ocean Rolandsen signs". Sheffield United FC.
  15. ^ "Katie Anderson signs". Sheffield United FC.
  16. ^ "Hannah Coan signs on loan from Everton". www.sufc.co.uk.
  17. ^ a b "Ali Johnson & Hannah Coan depart". Sheffield United FC.
  18. ^ "Sophie Barker and Ali Johnson depart". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  19. ^ a b c "LCFC Women: Meet The 2020/21 Squad". www.lcfc.com.
  20. ^ "Izzy Ford joins South Alabama". South Alabama Jaguars Women's Soccer twitter. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Tierney and Fergusson depart". www.sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  22. ^ "Johnson returns". www.rovers.co.uk.
  23. ^ "Olivia Chance departs". Sheffield United FC.
  24. ^ "Striker Sarri signs for Birmingham". BBC Sport.
  25. ^ "National Team Player Joins 2021 Class". Arizona State University Athletics.
  26. ^ "Becky Flaherty departs". Sheffield United FC.
  27. ^ "Becky is a Blue!". www.rovers.co.uk.