Sheffield United Women 1 Durham Women 0: Blades kick-off Proact era with a win

Aimee Palmer’s stunning strike ten minutes from time settled a close match against Durham for the Blades, who confirmed this week they would be leaving the Olympic Legacy Park with immediate effect.

It was the second time in little over three days the sides were meeting after United ran out convincing winners in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup on Thursday, but this one was a much closer match up.

It was the visitors who started brightest and controlled the majority of the first half, but they couldn’t make the most of their pressure.

Beth Hepple went closest as her close-range effort was deflected behind for a corner before Becky Flaherty had to be alert to stop a header from the resulting set-piece.

The visitors felt they should have had a penalty soon after and Jade Pennock forced a save from Megan Borthwick down the other end as the game became stretched, but it was Durham who continued to look the likelier to make the breakthrough.

Their biggest chance came in the second half when Iris Achterhof robbed Naomi Hartley of the ball and ran through on goal but Flaherty stood big to push the ball over the bar.

It turned out to be a vital moment as the game continued to become stretched towards its finale.

With little over ten minutes remaining, Palmer picked the ball up well outside the box and unleashed a rocket into the top corner which ultimately decided the encounter.

Durham pressed for what would have been a crucial equaliser but it was the Blades who held on for a vital three points.

Blades boss Carla Ward said: "I said to the team sometimes you have to win ugly and we've done that.

“They were the better team, they dominated the ball and we were furious at half-time.

"The second half I can't fault the fight and desire and that desire to see the game out was something else.

"When Aimee [Palmer] turned up today I told her to start backing herself from distance.

“She scored a free-kick on Thursday and she handed the next one over so I told her to be more selfish and if you get a chance to hit one from distance then back yourself.

"That today was like the first team defending. Throwing bodies on the line. Sam, Naomi and Lea were throwing themselves left, right and centre.

"We know we were sloppy in possession and that we're not very happy with but all in all that desire was what was most pleasing."

United: Flaherty; Barker, Hartley, Little, Dixon (Sarri 46); Tierney, Palmer, Cusack; Pennock, Wilkinson (Lipka 72), Fergusson. Subs not used: Batty, Paul, Matthews.

Durham: Borthwick; Robson, Hill, Salicki, Holmes; Hepple, Robson, Robertson; Bell (Christon 85), Gears, Achterhof (Sharpe 73)

Subs not used: Reid, Weithofer, Manders.

Referee: Amy Fearn

Attendance: 509

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