SAINTS Women ended their long wait for a win in 2025 by recording a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United on Sunday.

Lucia Kendall, on her second consecutive start after an injury return, headed them in front with a smart header, before Sheffield United levelled through Jacqui Hand.

Saints captain Jemma Purfield restored the lead, and Georgia Mullett slotted home her first goal for the club as Saints recovered from that setback.

Abbie Lafayette scored a second for the Blades on 97 minutes, but it was too little too late for the hosts remained bottom of the table on seven points.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale made one change to her starting line-up, as loanee Vivenne Lia returned to start at Bramall Lane.

Kendall bounced back from an early miss to give Saints the lead with a stooping header past Sian Rogers at the near post.

Alyssa Aherne and Maria Farrugia missed chances for Sheffield United, allowing Saints to lead at the break, but the hosts did find a breakthrough soon after the restart.

Hand fired home on the second attempt, after an initial effort rebounded off the post, five minutes into the second half.

Purfield turned home amid chaos in the box, and Mullett remained composed to double the Saints lead by slotting into the bottom corner 12 minutes later

That opened the England under-23 international's account at Saints with one game remaining before she returns to her parent club, Aston Villa.

The Blades did find a second goal to reduce the deficit again, as Abbie Lafayette powered in a penalty in stoppage time off the underside of the crossbar.

Sheffield United: Rogers, Cowan, Lafayette, Kinzett, Farrugia, Hand, Morgan (Earl. 70'), Wilding (Butler, 70'), Scofield (Robinson, 85'), Aherne (Connolly-Jackson, 85'), Murray.

Unused subs: Davies, Jones, Bailey, Page, Foy.

Saints: Stenson, Mott (Watts, 84'), Bourne, Peake, Purfield, Peplow, Kendall, Palmer (Harbert, 74'), Lia (Dennis, 64'), Pike, Mullett.

Unused subs: Haaland, Milne, Roberts, Udebhulu, Dean.

Referee: Ella Broad.