Derby County Women were beaten 4-0 by a clinical promotion-chasing Burnley in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday afternoon.
A goal for Claudia Walker broke the deadlock before an own goal doubled the visitors’ advantage.
Two second half goals from Danielle Maxwell and Laura Elford finished up a disappointing afternoon for the Ewes.
Key Moments
Both teams scrapped for a foothold early in the game, but Derby looked the favourites to do so when, in the 16th minute, Evie McCaffery picked the ball up and found Chenè Muir, but her low-driven effort was saved well by Kirstie Levell in the Burnley goal.
The Ewes had another chance three minutes later as Lily Skeldon found McCaffery in the area, she twisted and turned before she played a ball into Muir, but it was cleared away which kept the match at a deadlock.
Despite a dominant spell, a corner for Burnley in the 22nd minute was fired in, and a well worked set-piece saw Walker free at the back post and her headed effort rippled the net to give the visitors the advantage.
Derby continued to apply pressure onto the Burnley defence, but it was Clarets who doubled the advantage as Walker sent a low-driven cross into the box and unfortunately for Daisy Burt turned it into her own net on the stroke of half-time.
In the 58th minute Muir, who had been a problem for the Clarets defence all afternoon, played a decisive ball that split the Burnley line and a perfectly timed run made by Lily Skeldon gave Derby an opportunity to get one back, but Skeldon’s shot was smothered by Levell.
Rhema Lord-Mears managed to break through the Derby defence and played an inviting low cross into a dangerous area and debutant Danielle Maxwell buried the chance to make it 3-0 to the visitors.
Burnley scored a fourth putting the game out of reach for the Ewes as Aimee Kelly played a looping cross into Laura Elford and her effort flew it into the back of the net.
The Ewes will travel to Stoke City in their next league outing on Wednesday 12th February (7:45pm kick-off).
Team News
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Steggles, Jackson, Hilliard, Wilson (McGowan 77), Joyce (C), Muir (Oakley 72), Burt (Rai 46), May (Tweedie 77), Skeldon, McCaffery.
Unused Substitutes: Morgan (GK), Ward, Meadows.
Words: Max Stairs
Images: Chris Clarke
