Foxes made multiple changes for their 4th game of the season. With Young running the virtual London marathon Steele took the armband and Lowe stepped into the starting XI. Ritchie also made her first start for Foxes in place of Knight.
A strong start for the visitors saw Cooper and Steele combine from a corner. Cooper connected well with the volley but it went just wide of the post. Another corner from Foxes then fell to Lowe whose first time shot was spilt by the keeper and cleared by the defender.
Sheffield also had opportunities early on but Webb was able to block the shot. Sheffield were awarded a free-kick just outside of the box after the ball struck Taft’s arm. Mayfield was able to make a strong save at her far post from the resulting free-kick. The home side continued to push and pounced on a parried save from Mayfield and slotted it home to take the lead.
Foxes continued to play well and Steele nearly converted from a long range free-kick as she saw the goalkeeper stood out of position. Loughborough made multiple chances, most notably the well worked move from inside their own half with resulted with a strong volley from Walters which the keeper was well placed to save.
Ella Ritchie put the Foxes equal as her shot misfooted the Sheffield goalkeeper. However Sheffield pulled themselves back into the lead before half time after forcing a defensive error from Foxes. The goal gave Sheffield momentum going into half time which they capitalised on after the break putting a third in from a corner.
Foxes frustrations continued with Sharpe getting a talking to from the referee as she contested his decision. After a strong performance upfront Ritchie was replaced by Knight who was determined to bring the Foxes attack a goal with her first shot of the game hitting the bar. Sheffield continued to get opportunities but a great save from Mayfield and a strong offside line from the Foxes defence stopped them from building on their lead.
Loughborough kept on putting together strong linkup plays to create chances but they could not convert. Opportunities from Steele, Mcgrother and Walters towards the dying minutes forced Sheffield to stay alert. Overall a frustrating day for Foxes who now sit bottom of the FAWNL north table.