'DMUWFC are Varsity champions for the first time in five years after 2-1 win'

De Montfort University Women’s football team beat long time varsity champions University of Leicester with a dominant 2-1 win, with both goals scored by DMU winger and player of the match Zina Cheikh. UoL’s Jo Woodman scored in the last few minutes of the game after a big mistake from the referee and a second half played over 60 minutes.

It was a cold Monday afternoon on March 20, 2023, the sky was grey and bus after bus was arriving at Beaumont Park Football Ground to drop off excited students. The side-line of the 3G pitch crowded with cheering students, holding up signs for their friends who were representing each university. It was a great turn up for Women’s football varsity, the greatest turn up in years with an estimate of over 300 supporters.

DMU´s starting line-up consisted of a majority of freshers, where seven of the players had only played for the team this 22/23 season. In the first 20 minutes of the game DMU players had nervous legs, getting rid of the ball and not playing it properly. Left back Ellen Gustafsson, who worked hard full 90 minutes in defence, made a foul in the first 20 minutes and got a warning. DMU started to warm up to the game and UoL fell further back on their half. In the 35th minute, right winger Jennie Habbits crosses the ball to left winger Cheikh who scores. Half time whistle blew and DMU were 1-0 up, for the first time in five years.

The first ten minutes of the second half were important, those minutes would reveal what team would dominate and win the game. That is what DMU did, they played, and they defended, they had several chances and UoL had no way of getting through a solid defence.

UoL were getting frustrated, the play was getting more physical, and UoL directed their play to left winger Woodman who DMU right back Liv Steel brilliantly kept delaying.

UoL central midfielder Patricia Martins had quick feet, and was the centre of UoL’s game plan, the ball went to her and was sent forward brilliantly, DMU identified that, and man marked her.

In the 70th minute, DMU played the ball backwards to Gustafsson who shot an almost perfect ball, right between the UoL goalkeeper and the last person in defence, pacey Cheikh got on it and shot it over the keeper, 2-0 was scored for DMU.

In the last 20 minutes two stronger links for both teams, Martins and Habbits got subbed off due to injuries, where Habbits sustained a serious knee injury and ended up in crutches. There were many pauses which resulted in 15 minutes of added time. The clock turned to the 100th minute, UoL got a wrongly decided corner, after they clearly shot away the ball. It was a big mistake from the referee, UoL’s corner, Woodman scores. Panic formed over the DMU players, and they were stuck defending right before the 18-yard box.

DMUWFC after the final whistle

And then the final whistle blew. And DMU had done it for the first time in five years, the underdogs, surprised everyone that evening. DMU women’s football team had finally taken back the trophy. DMU women's football team became 2023 varsity winners.