Sheffield Wednesday Ladies’ highly anticipated fixture with Sheffield United Community Foundation saw the Owlesses hope to do the double over the side sat 10th in the league prior to kick-off.

Andy Gilligan and Gary Wilson opted to make three changes to the side that was narrowly defeated last time out to Handsworth, with Kirsty Tonner returning for the side in-between the sticks, whilst Lily-May Jackson was also brought into the side, with Skye Webster and Abbie Hastie bowing out of the side. There was also a change in the frontline with Rachel Norsworthy being introduced for the unavailable Nicole Shaw.

It was an electric start by the Owlesses who got an early advantage through Maisie Brennan. The roaming Wednesday midfielder got on the end of a Jackson corner, and slammed a header to the bottom right and past the Sheffield United keeper.

The onslaught continued from Gilligan and Wilson’s side, who yet again took advantage of another set-piece. It was Jackson on call once again to whip in a corner from the right corner, and this time it was Imogen Yeardley on the end of it, whose effort gave the keeper no chance. With just 15 minutes gone, Wednesday Ladies had themselves a healthy early lead.

It had been a vintage showing by the Owlesses so far, with the wide players causing particular concern for the Blades. Harriet Lloyd was getting plenty of coverage on the ball, including one brilliant moment as she flicked the ball behind and past an oncoming Sheffield United player, fashioning a chance solo from a tight angle, but it was met by a smart save by the Blades goalkeeper.

The Owlesses looked the more likely of the two to bag that third crucial goal, and by the 30th minute, Wednesday Ladies had that three-goal cushion. Norsworthy was sent away on the right-flank, and thundered a shot into the roof of the net from 25-yards-out.

From the goalscoring form that Wednesday Ladies were displaying, it was only going to be a matter of time before Amy Broomhead got in on the act. The Owlesses No8 was played through on goal, and despite the keeper saving the first attempt, Broomhead followed up and passed it into the vacant net.

As if the first half for Wednesday Ladies couldn’t get even better, Broomhead notched her brace with a carbon copy finish to the first, putting the Owlesses five in front at the interval.

As Wednesday Ladies kicked-off for the second half, Sheffield United looked somewhat rejuvenated and managed a quick start to the stanza, bagging a finish that went past Tonner.

Sheffield United were enjoying a decent spell, but any faint hopes of a comeback were soon quashed after the Owlesses were handed a penalty. The resulting set-piece was handed to Chloe Rose, who had come on from the bench just moments later. Despite the pressure from the spot-kick, the attacker smashed it to the right of the keeper to restore Wednesday’s five-goal lead.

The goalscoring action showed no signs of slowing down as Lloyd got in on the goalscoring action, with what was the pick of the bunch. The Wednesday Ladies left-winger picked up the ball 25-yards-out and, with precision, arrowed her effort precisely into the top corner, out of the reach of the Sheffield United goalie to make it 7-1.

It's safe to say that, from defence to attack, it was a complete performance from the Owlesses, who completed the double over their noisy-neighbours in fantastic style.

Starting XI: Tonner; Gilligan, Lee, Yeardley, Vessey; Stancill, Brennan, Jackson; Norsworthy, Lloyd, Broomhead. Subs: Webster, Birtles, O’Reilly, Crossland, Jackson.