We're Coming Home

 NUW fans may not be braving the dark at St. James' Park this afternoon in the Gallowgate End in the rain but for the first time in 23 weeks, almost 6 months since we clinched promotion and the FAWNL Northern Premier Division title with a 10-0 defeat of Huddersfield Town, the lasses return to Kingston Park for the historic first home match in the Barclays Women's Championship against today's opponents Sheffield United.

Whilst we are a club very much on the rise after successive promotions and an opening day draw against London City Lionesses a fortnight ago Sheffield United, following the tragic passing of vice captain Maddy Cusack last September - Maddy Cusack tribute post - are a club who are trying to rebuild.

The club carried out an investigation following a complaint made by the Cusack family. Whilst the third party investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of head coach Jonathan Morgan he was ultimately relieved of his duties in February this year as a result of reports emerging of a relationship between Morgan and one of his players in his previous role of manager of Leicester City. An FA investigation into the events surrounding Maddy's passing remains ongoing.

Morgan's assistant coach Luke Turner saw out the remainder of last season in the head coach role. For this season, Turner has returned to his assistant coach role with former Sheffield United u21's head coach Ash Thompson taking the top job. 

The Blades have had a busy transfer window with signings including Malta international Maria Farrugia from last season's relegated side Lewes and Jamaica international defender, experienced 31 year old Satara Murray who arrives from Bristol City so will likely be familiar to some of our players. Possibly their key signing is 26 year old goalkeeper Sian Rogers. Starting out at Birmingham City before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Rogers spent two seasons with Arsenal but was unable to break into the first team. A move to Aston Villa saw Rogers win the 2019/20 Championship golden glove in Villa's promotion season and she arrives at Sheffield following two seasons with Charlton Athletic.

Sheffield weren't great on the travels last season, winning four losing six and drawing one. 17 goals scored and 17 goals conceded. They kept no away clean sheets in the league last season and didn't score on two occasions. They particularly struggled against Northeast opposition taking 3 of a possible 12 points from Sunderland and Durham. Moan kept a clean sheet at Bramall Lane last season in a 0-1 Sunderland win and again in a 3-0 home win for Sunderland. Durham also won 0-1 in Sheffield but gave United their biggest away win of the season, beating Durham 2-5 at Maiden Castle, Amy Andrews opening the scoring in that game. 

Sheffield United are still looking for their first points of the season, a 2-1 loss to league leaders Durham on opening day was followed by a 0-1 loss to Charlton Athletic last weekend. 

I don't believe they'll get their first points today, I predict either a 2-0 or 3-0 home win. With Emma Kelly back in training it will be interesting to see if she will be involved in today's squad. Also, will club captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs start ahead of Rachel Furness? Hopefully Kacie Elson will make the squad after missing out at London City due to illness and, personally, I'd like to see Beth Lumsden get more game time than she did down in Bromley. But we will see this afternoon. 

Please remember, minute's applause in memory of Maddy Cusack on the 8th minute.

Enjoy this historic day.