Derby County Women claimed a hard-earned point in the East Midlands Derby as the Ewes drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest at Pride Park Stadium on Sunday.
An unfortunate Camille Jenkins own goal cancelled out an early second-half strike from Rebecca May.
The result sees the Ewes unbeaten against Forest in the FA Women’s National League Northern Division this season, after a 2-1 win at the City Ground back in October.
Key Moments
Goalkeeper Sarah Morgan kept the scoreline even in the opening exchanges. Forest started fast as Charlotte Greengrass got a shot in following a goalmouth scramble, but the Ewes’ shot stopper diverted the ball away from goal with her legs.
Morgan put her body on the line again in the 13th minute after Sophie Domingo was played into a one-on-one situation by Greengrass, but the goalkeeper was brave and threw her body onto the ball.
Domingo had a golden chance to break the deadlock on the brink of half-time. She was played in by Manders again, but Morgan produced a crucial save to keep Forest at bay.
Forwards Eleanor Ashton and Dolcie O’Connor both fashioned chances on goal in the first period for Sam Griffiths’ side but the visitors’ defence held firm for the duration of the half.
May gave Derby the lead shortly after the break. Ashton beat her opposite number on the wing and found the midfielder free in the box, where she lunged to bundle the ball beyond Forest goalkeeper Emily Batty to break the deadlock.
Morgan came to the rescue again a few minutes later, as a ball over the top found Domingo. This time, however, the former Derby winger was denied by the onrushing goalkeeper.
O’Connor had a chance to double the Ewes’ lead in the 49th minute. The winger ran beyond the defensive in possession of the ball with Amy Sims in support – but O’Connor went for the shot and could not hit the target.
The scores were levelled in the 65th minute after a lengthy spell of possession for the visitors. Domingo’s cross from the right was fired towards goal by Greengrass and inadvertently directed into the net by the unlucky Jenkins.
A minute later a neat corner routine found Forest defender Mollie Green with room to shoot in the box, but Morgan was equal to the strike as she collected it at head height.
Forest had the bit between their teeth after the goal, with Greengrass having consecutive chances - with a glancing header and shot going just wide, moments apart from each other.
Morgan played her part once more before the final whistle, as she fended off two long-range strikes from Nat Johnson and Becky Anderson, as both sides were forced to settle for a point apiece.
The Ewes now have a week away from action after their scheduled home fixture against Liverpool Feds was re-arranged for Sunday 28th April (2pm kick-off), meaning they will resume their league programme with a visit to Halifax FC on Sunday 14th April (2pm kick-off).
The Teams
Derby County Women: Morgan (GK); Jenkins, Jackson, Steggles, Ward; Wilson, Joyce, Sims, May (Meadows 87); Ashton (Rai 87), O’Connor (Rhodes-Andrews 59).
Unused Substitutes: Shepherd, Sheridan.
Nottingham Forest Women: Batty (GK); Cowie, Harkin, Green, Johnson; Thomas, Manders (Moncaster 90), Anderson; Domingo, Greengrass, Worsey (McMurchie 90).
Unused Substitutes: Cook, Aguirre, Haughey.
Attendance: 2,289
Words: Alfie Dickin.
