WOMEN'S MATCH PREVIEW: Loughborough Lightning (H)

Derby County Women will play their first home game of the 2025/26 season when they host Loughborough Lightning Women at the Don Amott Arena in Mickleover on Sunday (2pm kick-off).

The Ewes tasted a 6-0 defeat to Rugby Borough in their opening game in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division on the road last weekend, but they bounced back emphatically with a 4-1 win over Notts County in the FA Women's National League Cup on Tuesday night.

After bringing ten new signings into the squad over the summer, Head Coach Sam Griffiths will be looking for her fresh-look side to kick-start their league season on Sunday.

Striker and summer addition Georgia Stevens got off the mark with a brace against Notts County in midweek, while Female Talent Pathway graduate Marnie Drake also netted her first goal for the senior team after rising up through the youth ranks.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Ewes’ clash with Lightning are still available to buy.

Supporters are urged to buy tickets in advance to avoid the matchday price increase.

Advance Ticket Prices

Adults - £5

Concessions (6-18 years or 65+) - £2.50

University of Derby Student (Student ID Required on entry) – £2.50

Click here to purchase your tickets ahead of Sunday’s home fixture.

Stadium Address

Don Amott Arena, Station Road, Mickleover, DE3 9FE.

The Opponents

Formed as Shepshed Foxes in 1999 and then named Loughborough Foxes in 2002, the Leicestershire-based outfit played in local leagues for 15 years before first earning promotion to the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division in 2015.

They were relegated in their first season at the level but went back up in 2018 and remained in Tier 3 until they were relegated in 2022/23.

The club took on the “Lightning” moniker in 2021 as the club became part of Loughborough University’s sports franchise - playing their games at the University’s sports facilities.

Loughborough finished as champions of the FA Women's National League Division One Midlands last season, with an eight-point lead over their nearest opponents, Northampton Town.

Lightning won 19 and drew three of their matches as they went unbeaten in Tier 4 on their rise back to the Northern Premier Division.

Promotion-winning Manager Charles Baxter joined the Lightning in January 2023 and heads into his third season with the club.

Meanwhile, last season’s Assistant Manager, Sarah Richardson, has since moved on, becoming the Head Coach of fellow Tier 3 side Stoke City Women over the summer.

Lightning's first game back at Tier 3 level saw them secure a point at home in a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

Derby last played Loughborough in the FA Women's National League Cup last season, beating them 2-1 at the Don Amott Arena.

Club Links

Loughborough and Derby share multiple links across the last few seasons, with the most recent being Charlotte Steggles and Becky Hogg.

Steggles spent two seasons with the Ewes, making 50 appearances in Derby colours before departing for Lightning in the summer.

While Hogg featured 27 times over three years with Derby - she was previously on the books of Loughborough, before leaving for Coventry United and then the Ewes. She returned to Lightning ahead of the 2025/26 season.