MATCH REPORT: Derby County Women 2-0 Halifax Women

Derby County Women got their first FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division points of the 2025/26 season on the board with an assured 2-0 home win over Halifax Women.

First half goals from Kate Oakley and former Halifax player Minnie Wilson secured a deserved three points for Sam Griffiths’ side at the Don Amott Arena.

Derby had chances to add to their tally in both halves in what was a convincing performance, but the pair of first half strikes proved to be enough.

Ainsley Strickland was sent off for Halifax late on as the Ewes registered their first league win and first clean sheet in confident fashion.

Positive steps have been made in recent weeks as Griffiths’ new-look and youthful squad blends together and the victory was a fitting reward for the side’s display over the course of the 90 minutes.

Key Moments

Head Coach Griffiths made four changes from last weekend’s resounding 6-2 home win over Lincoln United in the League Cup group stages by restoring first-choice goalkeeper Lucy Jones, midfielder Liv Edwards and goalscorers Wilson and Oakley to the starting line-up. There was also a welcome return on the bench after injury for defender Mikayla Wildgoose.

In the driving Derbyshire rain, the opening stages were relatively uneventful although there was a clear competitive edge to proceedings as two sides looked to wrestle hold of control early on.

Halifax forced the first chance of the contest on 18 minutes - and Derby were indebted to goalkeeper Jones to keep the visitors out. The Ewes’ number one rushed off her line to block Farah Crompton’s low effort with a good save after midfielder Becky May had been dispossessed inside the Derby half.

The Ewes responded with a chance of their own two minutes later. Yasmin Mason won possession down the left-hand side and drove forward with purpose before moving the ball to striker Chenè Muir on the edge of the box, which resulted in her low effort being comfortably saved.

Derby took the lead just before the half hour mark to get their noses in front. May’s left-foot free-kick into the box from the right evaded everyone and was pushed away by Halifax goalkeeper Maddie Crosbie towards Oakley, who kept her cool to fire low into the net from a tight angle to notch her fourth goal of the campaign.

The Ewes continued to press forward and look for a second and the midfield combination of May, Edwards and captain Emily Joyce saw them hold control for long spells, while full-backs Mason and Jess Melrose offered real width to the attack.

Derby’s pressure told as they doubled their lead five minutes before half-time. Excellent work in the middle and a smart pass by Joyce sent Melrose away down the right and she squared the ball across the box for Wilson to sweep into the net from eight yards out to net her first Ewes goal.

A third goal could have followed before half-time after more good football, but Muir dragged her shot wide after good link-up play between May and Wilson.

Derby were forced into a change at half-time after Oakley collided with the advertising boards around the side of the pitch and, following lengthy treatment, she was replaced by youngster Marnie Drake.

The Ewes started the second half how they ended the first, on the front foot. Edwards won the ball in midfield and charged forward to shoot from range as she looked to add to her two goals against Lincoln United last weekend, forcing an excellent save from Crosbie in the visiting goal.

Muir tested Crosbie with another effort from distance on the hour as she pressed well from the front to regain possession inside the Halifax half.

Halifax began to push forward with more intent after the hour as they looked to force their way back into the contest, but the Ewes defended well as a collective, displaying good shape and organisation to keep the visitors at bay and centre-backs Hannah Sparkes and Hannah Ward leading by example.

The visitors were reduced to ten players late on as Strickland was shown a straight red card for dissent, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the dying stages.

Jones made another smart stop from Macy Settle and had to be alert to tip a deep cross from the right over the bar, which looked to be drifting into the far corner, as the clock ticked down to preserve a much-needed clean sheet.

Those rare moments aside, the Ewes saw the latter moments out in strong fashion to record a deserved victory on home turf.

Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Melrose, Sparkes, Ward, Mason, Joyce (C), May, Edwards (Wheeler 86), Oakley (Drake 46), Wilson (Skeldon 90), Muir (Stevens 77).

Substitutes Not Used: Morgan (GK), Bryan, Wildgoose.

Post Match Reaction

Head Coach Sam Griffiths spoke to RamsTV following the final whistle to offer her assessment on the 90 minutes.

Captain Emily Joyce also spoke to RamsTV after the game to give her verdict on the home win.

Next Fixture

The Ewes are back on the road next weekend when they make the journey to Sporting Khalsa Women on Sunday 21st September in league action once again (2pm kick-off).