Derby County Women had to come from behind to claim a 1-1 draw against Liverpool Feds and salvage a hard-fought point in the 94th minute on Sunday.
The Ewe Rams unfortunately found themselves on the wrong end of a last-minute goal in their opening game against Burnley last Sunday in a 3-2 loss, but the boot was on the other foot this time around as Sam Griffiths’ side hit back late on.
Derby’s persistence against Liverpool Feds earned them a share of the spoils as Amy Sims managed to equalise with the last kick of the game to earn Sam Griffiths’ side their first point of the season.
An inspired performance by Feds goalkeeper Rachel Darbyshire made it difficult for the Ewe Rams to score, despite having plenty of chances throughout.
The Ewe Rams started the game well, especially Marli Rhodes-Andrews who looked dangerous on the right-hand side causing plenty of problems for Abby Pope.
An early chance in the match fell to Rhodes-Andrews as she latched onto a cross, but her header was just wide of the post.
Moments later it was Ewe Rams again who had chance to open the scoring, this time through Jess Camwell. She was played in by last week’s player of the match Sims, but she fired her shot well over the bar.
Despite the early chances for the hosts, Liverpool Feds looked to be a threat. Imogen Maguire was called into action to deny Katie Thomas the opening goal of the game with an incredible save.
A cross was whipped into the area which found its way to Thomas who was five yards from goal, but a point blank save by Maguire with her right boot was enough to keep the ball out of the net.
Another chance fell in the way of Liverpool Feds but fortunately for the Ewe’s no player could capitalise on it.
A free-kick and yellow card was awarded against Becky McGrother for a handball. The resulting free-kick was delivered into the area but was comfortably dealt with by Maguire, until the ball slipped out of her hands and rolled towards the goalline - but the danger was eventually dealt with.
The second half started in similar fashion with both side’s creating chances, but neither side able to find a breakthrough.
It took until the 67th minute for the deadlock to be broken, as Liverpool Feds took the lead.
Pope, who scored in the Feds’ 1-1 draw against Wolves last Sunday, got her second goal of the season. She attempted to cross the ball into the Derby penalty area but her delivery deceived Maguire and found its way into the back of the net.
The Ewe Rams came close to finding a leveller in the 86th minute but were unfortunate to be denied by the woodwork as the clock ticked down.
It took until the 94th minute for Ewe Rams to find the back of the net as Sims added to her tally following her two goals against Burnley last weekend.
The Ewe Rams were pushing for the equaliser in the dying moments of the match and when a shot rebounded back to Sims, she tapped home the rebound to level the game and seal a point ahead of their midweek home clash with Loughborough Lightning on Wednesday evening (7:45pm kick-off).
Report taken from the Derby County Women website.
