Blades primed for historic fixture at Springfield

Now just two promotions away from the ever-increasing riches of Women’s Super League football, the Blades’ top females have their sights on professional status over the coming seasons and will be keen to make the most of their first-ever ‘overseas’ encounter.

The part-time visitors, who signed former Sheffield FC Super League star Carla Ward this week, could make it two wins from two against Jersey in Saturday’s 4.30 pm kick-off, after beating the Islanders 2-1 at Bramall Lane in April.

Walshaw, who played in Jersey for the club’s first team in 1985, said: ‘There is a little bit of history being made for us with our first game overseas, and it’s all part of the girls’ development.

‘A lot of girls are playing for their futures – they know what’s happening at Sheffield United and they want to be part of it.

‘We’re still two promotions away from the WSL, but that is the aim for the club. Whether promotion [from Midlands Division One] is achievable this year I don’t know – we might have dropped too many points – but we’re making sure we’ve got the foundations right and that it’s sustainable.’

Rachel Ruddach and Natalie Froggatt – both scorers against Jodie Botterill and Dan Seviour’s side in the spring – are due to appear on the Springfield 3G, while chances are being given to some of the club’s junior faces.

Meanwhile, Jersey player-coach Jodie Botterill, who scored in the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane, has excluded herself from the hosts’ 16-strong squad due to a lack of game-time for her club.

Botterill has been struggling with injury this term, and with just two appearances for St Peter to her name since the summer both she and Daniel Seviour have opted for alternative options in attack.

However, the joint-head coaches still have plenty of experience at their disposal, with a significant number of Island Games medallists being joined by the likes of Louise van der Vliet and Lauren Jéhan, who return after extended periods away from representative football.

Teenager Ines Cipriano has also be included, for the first time.

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