Sheffield United Women avoid drop despite defeat in Durham
Sheffield United Women’s status in WSL 2 was confirmed on Sunday
Sheffield United Women will remain in WSL2 next season, despite defeat to Durham on Sunday.
The Blades, secon dfrom bottom of the table, were in the North East for an early kick off and went down 2-1 in their penultimate game of the campaign.
There were emotional scenes on the pitch at the end as coach Stephen Healy and his staff spoke with the players, with their status hanging in the balance.
However, results elsewhere on the day meant that with only one team being relegated this season, Portsmouth will drop out of the division and United are saved.
On the huddle at the end, Healy said: “Yes, the girls are feeling it, the staff are feeling it as well, and it's not through lack of effort or lack of want and desire from everyone in and around us.
“It's making sure that we get a response and reaction from Wednesday [a 4-1 defeat to Ipswich], as we did. We're still creating some chances. At the moment, we seem to be punished for any little mishap, and it's making sure that we try and reduce them as much as possible, applying to areas that we need to create the chances that we need to further up the pitch.
“It's about dusting ourselves down and making sure that we work hard in training next week, which we do, and getting ourselves ready for our last home game at Bramall Lane.”
That last game of the season sees United take on Bristol City at the Lane on Saturday afternoon, with a 3.00pm kick-off.
On Sunday past at Durham, United found themselves 2-0 down, despite an improvement in performance from that heavy loss to Ipswich. Amy Andrews registred a late goal from the penalty spot but despite pressure from the visitors, they couldn’t fine an equaliser.