Sheffield ground out a hard fought draw at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium this afternoon with a goal from Lisa Bailey, writes Trevor Herrington. This despite playing for an hour with ten players after LIsa Giampalma was shown a straight red card for swearing at the referee.

The visitors started the game kicking with the sun and wind at their backs, and took full advantage with just five minutes played when a quick throw on the half way line from Gemma Gale found Lisa Giampalma, who in turn knocked it into the area where the Barnsley defence’s hesitancy allowed Lisa BAILEY to nip in ahead of the keeper and nod it over her and into the net. Gemma Gale was then involved again a few minutes later, this time getting in a good defensive block when a Barnsley forward was poised to shoot. Barnsley were trying to play a high defensive line, but Lisa Giampalma beat the system  and made headway to the edge of the box before squaring the ball across the area. Unfortunately, no Sheffield player could get the decisive touch to poke the ball home. Despite having a full complement of officials the refereeing was somewhat haphazard to say the least, with no consistency at all; some of the decisions leaving even the crowd puzzled at times. Barnsley got on level terms on 28 minutes when the assistant referee indicated that Caz Whiteman had stepped out of her area when releasing a kick upfield. The resultant free kick was well struck, giving the ‘unfortunate keeper no chance. Sheffield were still having most of the play at this stage, but the turning point was just minutes away. A challenge by Lisa Giampalma in which the ball hit her foot and then shot up to hit a Barnsley player in the face was deemed a free kick by the referee. The Sheffield player was aggrieved at the decision and swore at the official, who handed her a straight red card. Stunned by this, the Sheffield team took a few minutes to reorganise while Barnsley pressed forward, their centre forward lobbing the ball over Caz Whiteman when through on goal, but Lauren Davids was on hand to clear the danger. The last five minutes saw plenty of action at both ends as Gemma Gale's corner was cleared at the near post before then trying her luck with a free kick that was just wide of the mark. At the other end Sheffield did well to clear a corner, a Barnsley player lurking on the edge of the area then firing a fierce shot just over the bar. The last  action of the half saw Lauren Davids making one of her now customary 'last ditch' tackles to clear the ball when the Barnsley centre forward was poised to shoot.

As expected,  Barnsley came out of the blocks the quickest for the second half, Caz Whiteman having to make an early save. Helen Wakefield then fired in a shot for the visitors that was easily dealt with. Despite being a player short Sheffield were producing the better football, making sure that their passes were not wasted and taking the game to their hosts. LIsa Bailey found herself in a good position. but she dwelt on the ball too long and the chance was gone. Barnsley almost caught Sheffield on a break down the left wing but, despite the cross evading Caz Whiteman, Lynne Grainger was on hand to head the ball clear. The home side then had a short period of sustained pressure, but Sheffield just dug in and worked hard for each other, a point proved when Helen Wakefield tracked back to dispossess a Barnsley forward on the edge of the area. With legs tiring it was time to make a change, Rachel Charles making way for Clare Holmes. By now Sheffield had weathered the storm and were carving out opportunities for themselves, although some frustration started to appear when the assistant kept on flagging for offside against players NOT interfering with play. With time running out Gemma Gale tried her luck with a long range free kick which the keeper gathered at the second attempt, with Clare Holmes lurking dangerously. It was Barnsley now who were hanging on, constantly giving away petty free kicks and getting away with 'just a word' from the referee for swearing! Barnsley's best effort of the half came from a free kick out wide pumped into the area which, despite the sun being in her eyes, was gathered at the second attempt by Caz Whiteman who then released the ball for a flowing move from one end to the other involving Michelle Fletcher, Helen Wakefield and Clare Holmes, whose final pass to Marie Widerman saw the midfielder's shot well saved by the ‘keeper. Chloe Sutton then came on to replace Helen Wakefield for the last ten minutes of the game. The hosts thought they had nicked it with under five minutes to go when a rare lapse of concentration let in the Barnsley number nine, but she blazed wildly over the bar. At the other end, the visitors had an equally good chance when the ball was threaded through to Chloe Sutton, who was clearly at least a yard offside. She drove forward into the area but her shot was into the side netting. So the game ended in a draw, but there was much to discuss between the Sheffield manager and the referee at the final whistle.

Although Sheffield only came away with one (very well earned) point, it was a moral victory for the team who can be proud of today's performance. The way they 'dug in' and never gave up was a credit to everyone involved. Next up is a home encounter against Blyth Spartans at the Bright Finance Stadium on Sunday 2nd November.