HARRIERS battled back from a goal down to secure a share of the spoils on the opening day, with Liv Mitcham’s second-half header earning a 1-1 draw against Sheffield.
The game kicked off with a lively pace, and saw Harriers dominate from the off. A flurry of chances in the seventh minute saw Mitcham have her initial effort blocked by a Sheffield defender, before Seanna McCann-Lloyd teed up Reia Henry, who found the back of the net, only to be flagged for offside.
It was Chelsea Tague who when tried her luck in the 17th minute, taking aim from range but her shot was high and wide.
The visitors grew into the game as the half went on, noting their first real attempt on goal in the 31st minute, although the effort drifted wide. Despite Sheffield enjoying a spell of pressure, Harriers remained a threat at the other end. Mitcham broke free from the Sheffield defence on 45 minutes and fired towards goal from the side of the box, but her effort struck the side netting.
There was still time for another opportunity before the interval, with Henry seeing a shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area saved by the Sheffield goalkeeper.
Harriers made a change at the interval, as Senna Robinson replaced Chelsea Tague, but Sheffield struck just four minutes after the restart to take a 1-0 lead. Harriers looked for an immediate response, with McFarlane delivering a cross into the box in the 53rd minute before Robinson fired high and wide.
It was McCann-Lloyd’s turn to take aim on goal, as her shot from distance was saved by the Sheffield goalkeeper.
Despite this, the visitors remained a threat as they looked to double their advantage. Sheffield came agonisingly close to taking a 2-0 lead in the 73rd minute, with Jenkins making an initial save before another Sheffield player followed up, only for Hill to produce a crucial block on the line and clear the danger.
Harriers continued to battle and were rewarded in the 81st minute, as Robinson’s shot from distance was tipped on to the crossbar, with Liv Mitcham the quickest to react as she rose to head home the rebound and bring Harriers level.
The equaliser sparked a strong finish from the hosts, with Robinson handed another excellent opportunity just a minute later, after being played through with only the goalkeeper to beat, but her effort went wide.
Harriers continued to push for a winner in the closing stages, with Robinson boasting a handful of chances as the hosts looked to complete the comeback.
Neither side could find a late winner, and the spoils were shared on the opening day of the 2026-27 season.
Report by Milja Stevenson