Durham defeat Sheffield United on penalties in the Women’s League Cup

Durham have continued their good start to the season with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Sheffield United in the Women’s League Cup at Maiden Castle this afternoon.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in normal time before Durham held their nerve to win the resulting penalty shootout 4-3.

The first half was a scrappy affair between two sides that were much-changed from their most recent league fixture.

Ella Kinzett forced a good save from Durham keeper Anna King after 19 minutes. A mistake from King later in the half then presented an opportunity to Olivia Edwards but the keeper recovered to make a save.

Durham’s best opportunities in the first half were from distance but visiting keeper Bethan Davies remained largely untroubled.

Durham had a great opportunity to break the deadlock early in the second half when Abby Holmes found herself in on goal but her effort was blocked at the near post.

The Wildcats were made to rue that miss with Sheffield United opening the scoring through Monique Robinson. A quick break upfield saw Durham outnumbered. The ball was played to Robinson inside the box and she picked out the bottom corner of the Durham net.

The hosts were behind for just six minutes. Beth Hepple’s free-kick was spilt by Bethan Davies and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle bundled the loose ball home.

Sheffield United then went close to regaining the lead from a corner kick. King spilt the ball and Satara Murray sent a header towards goal but Durham somehow survived.

Durham almost grabbed a winner with 18 minutes to go. Holmes’ cross was met by Ryan-Doyle but Davies made a stunning save to push the ball behind. The forward also took aim at goal deep in second half injury time but looped her effort over the bar.

In the penalty shootout, Durham netted four of their five spot kicks as they claimed a bonus point with a 4-3 victory from 12 yards.

Following this afternoon’s result, Durham end the Women’s League Cup group stage with a fixture at Sunderland while Sheffield United travel to Blackburn Rovers. Both of those ties take place on 11 December 2024.