Derby County Women will make the long journey to Devon to take on Exeter City in the Semi-Final stage of the FA Women's National League
Plate on
Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off).
dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you will need to know ahead of the cup clash with a place in the Final up for grabs.
Pre-Match Thoughts - From The Boss...
Manager Sam Griffiths is eager to see her side grasp the opportunity to reach the National League Plate Final.
Griffiths knows that the Ewes will face a tough test against the FA Women’s National League Division One South West leaders.
Exeter have won 13 and drawn one of their 14 matches in the league, so there’s no chance of Derby underestimating the challenge ahead of them.
She said: “As a manager, I’ve not won any silverware yet so it would be nice to get to the Final and try and change that.
“It is something we are taking very seriously.
“We will make sure we put a strong team out and hopefully we can take that next step.”
Pre-Match Thoughts - From The Dressing Room...
Midfielder Emelia Wilson knows the Ewes will need to put on a performance if they’re to overcome the challenge Exeter will pose.
Wilson, who has been a regular in the Derby side throughout the campaign, is relishing the opportunity to compete for a place in the Final.
She said: “This is a competition we want to win; we’ve said that before.
“This game, like every single one we play in, is an opportunity for us to show we’re a good side and we can compete against anyone.
“We’re looking forward to the game.”
National League Plate So Far...
Derby County Women produced a
five-star display on the road against Doncaster Rovers Belles in their National League Plate First Round tie in October.
Sam Griffiths’ side were 5-0 winners against the National League Division One North outfit to safely avoid a cup upset.
Derby
stormed into an early lead through forward Marli Rhodes-Andrews, with
just three minutes on the clock, and she went on to double the Ewes’
lead at the midway point of the half.
Midfielder Rebecca May netted her first goal in Derby colours, following her recent arrival from Manchester United, on the half hour mark before defender Maria Timms made it four before the break with a stunning strike.
Derby added a late fifth when defender Sarah Jackson netted her first goal for the club from distance to round off a comprehensive victory.
The Ewes turned on the style in the Second Round too with a convincing 5-2 win on the road at Northampton Town.
Derby led 2-1 at the break against the Cobblers thanks to goals from winger Kira Rai and captain Amy Sims.
Substitute Yasmin Mosby, left-back Megan Tinsley, getting her first goal since missing the whole of last season with a heart issue, and in-form forward Eleanor Ashton got on the scoresheet before the hosts pulled a late goal back.
The Ewes booked their spot in the Semi-Finals with a 5-0 victory at Sutton Coldfield Town in the Quarter Finals.
Skipper Amy Sims scored a hat-trick inside the opening 45 minutes to take her tally for the season to 16 in all competitions.
Midfielder Becky May and winger Kira Rai both scored late in the second half to round off a comprehensive victory for Sam Griffiths’ Ewes, while Sims also saw a penalty hit the post in the latter stages.
Match Highlights...
Full match highlights from Sunday's game will appear online on dcfc.co.uk following the final whistle.
