Sheffield Wednesday Ladies may have exited the Women’s FA Cup following Sunday’s defeat to Chesterfield, but there were plenty of positives to take from a well-contested afternoon — including a significant moment for five players progressing through the club’s pathway.

With several regular first-team players unavailable, manager Keiron Lee called upon Hannah Baines, Tilly Wainwright, Sheridan Betts and Gracie Walsh from the Reserve squad, while Kianna Smith stepped up from the club’s U18s.

All five were named in the first-team squad for the tie and went on to make both their senior first-team and Women’s FA Cup debuts, with each producing an impressive performance on the afternoon.

Despite the eventual 3-1 defeat, Wednesday produced a competitive display and remained firmly in the contest for much of the game.

The Owls responded well after falling behind during the first half and twice went agonisingly close to an equaliser before the interval. Hannah Baines, who produced an energetic display in the heart of midfield, saw a header come back off the crossbar. Baines was an engine throughout, covering ground relentlessly and making her presence felt at both ends of the pitch.

Tilly Wainwright also impressed on her first-team bow, demonstrating terrific strength and composure throughout her debut as she stepped confidently into senior football.

A change in shape at half-time helped Wednesday pose a greater attacking threat, with Sheridan Betts introduced from the bench.

Betts made an immediate impact, finding the equaliser just two minutes after her introduction. Excellent work from captain Jodie Stancill created the opportunity before Betts applied the finish — marking her first-team debut with a goal on the Women’s FA Cup stage.

Gracie Walsh also looked assured when called upon, producing a composed performance and settling quickly into the demands of first-team football.

Between the posts, Kianna Smith provided a steady presence in goal. Having progressed through Wednesday’s junior ranks, the U18 goalkeeper handled the occasion with maturity on her senior debut and added another important experience to her development.

Although Chesterfield ultimately regained the advantage and secured their progression with two further goals, the performances of Wednesday’s five debutants provided a major positive to take from the afternoon.

For manager Keiron Lee and the club, their involvement represented another example of the pathway running through Wednesday’s junior, Reserve and first-team setups. More importantly, each player showed they were capable of stepping up when the opportunity arrived.

While the FA Cup journey comes to an end, Wednesday will now turn their attention towards the beginning of the 2026/27 league campaign with plenty of positives to build upon.

For Baines, Wainwright, Betts, Walsh and Smith, however, Sunday represented an important milestone — five first-team debuts, five impressive performances and another demonstration of the talent progressing through the club.

Congratulations, Ladies!

Photo Credit: Erin Dooley - SWLFC Photographer.