Sun 07 Sep - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 4mins
Derby County Women maintained their perfect record in the FA Women’s National League Cup Group Stage with an emphatic 6-2 win over Lincoln United at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 19th minute, but a swift response saw Derby go into the break with a one-goal lead after strikes from Marnie Drake and Chenè Muir.
Second-half finishes from Kate Oakley, Lily Skeldon and a double from Olivia Edwards completed a ruthless set of goalscoring to take all three points - despite a free-kick goal from Lincoln adding to the tally.
The win was the Ewes’ second in the competition after a 4-1 win over Notts County away from home last month.
Derby were strong from the off, with Becky May’s free-kick forcing a save down low from goalkeeper Mayfield with five minutes gone.
The positive combination play continued as a neat move saw Ella Bryan fire just wide of the mark in the seventh minute after Muir squared the ball into her path.
The striker was nearly the beneficiary of a cross in from Jess Melrose, as Muir connected with a volley that went just over the crossbar.
Despite the domination, Lincoln took advantage of a defensive mix-up in the 19th minute as Yasmin Mason’s under-hit back pass was pounced upon - and a clearance from the loose ball ended up in the back of the net.
The scores were levelled in the 36th minute, though, as Drake steered the ball into an empty net after a prolonged spell of Derby possession unlocked the defence, and Georgia Stevens’ cross found the young attacker in position to tap in.
From there, Derby took control with Muir giving the Ewes the lead in added time of the first half after she was found in the box, and a composed turn saw her evade the goalkeeper and slot into an empty net to register her first goal since returning to the club a fortnight ago.
The dominance continued after the break, as substitute Mia Wheeler’s tenacious pressing saw her win the ball high up the pitch but her effort at goal spun just around the wrong side of the post.
Fellow half-time substitute Oakley made it 3-1 as she headed in from close range after Edwards headed a corner kick back into the striker’s path to nod home.
Skeldon netted her first senior goal for the club to make it four in the 70th minute – tapping home after another well-constructed move down the left-hand side.
The visitors did pull one back moments later when a free-kick from distance flew into the back of the Derby net in the 71st minute.
A swift response from Derby meant the Ewes regained their three-goal advantage quickly as Edwards fired a bullet header into the net from May's corner.
It looked to be six when May won a penalty in the 79th minute. Oakley stepped up but was denied by a strong save from the goalkeeper and Edwards’ effort from the rebound was cleared away.
The sixth goal did come, this time as Edwards claimed her second goal of the afternoon in the 83rd minute when she latched onto a long ball from May and evaded the onrushing goalkeeper to roll the ball into the net with a composed effort.
The 6-2 victory ensures Derby’s place at the top of Group P in the FA Women’s National League Cup after two games played, with Notts County’s 2-0 win over Sheffield FC seeing them in second place.
Derby County Women: Wayne (GK), Melrose (Shepherd 46), Mason (Skeldon 64), Joyce (C), Bryan (Edwards 46), Ward, Drake, Stevens (Wheeler 46), May, Sparkes, Muir (Oakley 46).
Unused Substitutes: Jones (GK).
Head Coach Sam Griffiths spoke to RamsTV after the side's first home win of the campaign.
Olivia Edwards also caught up with RamsTV as he netted her first two goals for the Ewes.
The Ewes return to league action in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division, with another home clash in Mickleover against Halifax on Sunday 14th September (2pm kick-off).
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Images: Chris Clarke
