Derby County Women gave their all but fell to a 4-0 home defeat against a classy Women’s Super League side in Leicester City in the Fourth Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on a freezing day at the Don Amott Arena.
A player of the match display from goalkeeper Anna Draper helped keep the score down to 1-0 at the interval but even her efforts were not enough to stop the Foxes running away with the show in the second half.
Derby succumbed to only their second loss in 12 games, but manager Sam Griffiths could be delighted with her side’s performance seeing as professional outfit Leicester sit two full divisions above the Ewes.
Leicester took the lead just before the half hour mark when Jutta Rantala swung in a corner towards Lena Pettermann, whose header hit the post only for the ball to pinball and fall back to the German international who prodded the ball over the line.
It was two just before the hour mark when substitute Yuka Momika crossed to Janice Cayman who slotted home to deservedly get herself a goal despite the arm of Draper getting a touch on the ball.
Twenty minutes before time a corner came in from the right and Deanne Rose turned and thumped home Leicester’s third.
It was four on the 74th minute when a free kick was floated in by Momika who caused Charlotte Steggles to head the ball into her own net.
A positive result against top-flight side Leicester was always going to be a challenge but the Ewes gave a good account of themselves throughout.
Derby will hold with their heads held high as they prepare to return to league action against Stourbridge on Sunday 21st January (2pm kick-off) on home turf.
Derby County Women: Draper (GK), Sims (C), Steggles (Timms 88), Jackson, Wilson, Joyce, Ward, Ashton, Jenkins, Meadows (Rhodes-Andrews 68), May (Sheridan 84).
Substitutes Not Used: Hilliard, Morgan (GK).
Leicester City Women: Kop (GK), Tierney (C) ,Howard, Rantala (Rose, 62) ,Pettermann (Palmer,68), Cayman, Green (Nevin, 62), Takarada (Siemsen,68),Thibaud, Goodwin, O’Brien (Momiki,46).
Substitutes Not Used: Leitzig (GK), Whelan, Baker, Sherwood.
Words: Ryan Robinson.
