MID-SEASON BREAK CAN BE A BONUS SAYS WARD

SHEFFIELD FC’S WSL 2 debut season has been eventful to say the least. A change of coach in the first week was followed by a string of defeats and then a surprise win against title favourites Bristol City. But, following the midseason break, captain Carla Ward insists they have taken stock of their campaign so far and are ready to attack the remainder with renewed vigour. In March, coach Zoe Johnson succeeded Mick Mulhern who, after four months in charge, called it quits before the season even kicked off. But the signs are there that things are now coming together. Their first league win of the season came in a 3-1 triumph over Bristol six games in. Then, the summer break arrived at arguably just the wrong time. However, Ward insists the month off the field came with its advantages, too, as coach Johnson has continued to shape the squad in her own image. “We have had no luck in the first half of the season,” said the midfielder. “As soon as we won a game and got a little bit of momentum, there was a break in the middle and we lost it. “But the break has been good for us. “We’ve worked hard and become more familiar with the tactics of the manager and improved certain things. “We have a clear way we want to play in the second half of the season and we’ve worked on that. “We had a disrupted start, so, with time, we’ve got better and sharper and more in line with the manager.” Johnson had been busy before the transfer window shut at 5pm on Thursday, with the addition of defender Olivia Wild and forwards Sophie Jones and Kirsty Hanson, providing much-needed strength in depth. And it is 18-year-old Hanson who has made an immediate impression. Ward expects big things from the ex-Liverpool forward. “Kirsty has surprised me. I didn’t know a lot about her but she looks really promising,” she said. “She has pace, power and she adds something very different to what we have here. “She is another attacking option .We’re all about hard work here and she works hard, which stuck out to me. “In training, my first impressions were really positive and we hope she will get off to a good start this weekend. “There is no pressure on her from the club, but we can see why she is so good. We will support her as best we can.” Both of Sheffield’s victories this season – they also beat Durham in the Continental Tyres Cup preliminary round – have come at home. But performances in front of their own fans should now improve, according to the skipper, pictured. “In the first half of the season, we wanted to play away more than at home because the pitch was so bad,” added Ward, whose side returned to action against Bristol in the cup yesterday. “But now it’s had a rest, that’s changed and we’re relishing back-toback home games on a surface which suits us.”