Sun 28 Sep - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 5mins
Derby County Women secured a 2-0 victory against Sheffield FC at the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium to finish top of Group P in the FA Women’s National League Cup.
A first-half strike from Mia Wheeler and an 88th-minute goal from Minnie Wilson earned all three points, with a spirited performance providing the Ewes’ fourth win on the bounce and third clean sheet in a row in all competitions.
Having completed the group stage at the summit of Group P with nine points, following previous wins over Notts County and Lincoln United, the Ewes will discover their next opponents in the FA WNL Cup First Round draw, which takes place at 7:15pm on Monday 29th September.
Head Coach Sam Griffiths made seven changes from the side that won 1-0 away to Sporting Khalsa in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division last weekend.
Hannah Ward captained the side as Emily Joyce began on the bench, with minutes spread amongst the squad in the cup competition.
Harriet Wayne started in goal, while defenders Mikayla Wildgoose and Eve Shepherd, midfielder Ella Bryan and attackers Wheeler, Marnie Drake and Georgia Stevens also came into the side.
Derby started the first half with a quick break on the counter proving an early test for Sheffield goalkeeper Marina Boni, who saved a strike from Kate Oakley in the fourth minute following a well-timed through ball by Wheeler.
Drake was next to test the Sheffield defence, with a well-timed through ball from Stevens allowing her to apply pressure on the edge of the box. After a drop of the shoulder, her strike at close range to the bottom-right corner was blocked by Sheffield’s shot-stopper and cleared by the defence.
The first chance for the hosts came in the 13th minute, with a break on the counter proving dangerous to Derby’s early strong start, but a well-timed block from Wildgoose denied Lexie Butterworth from registering Sheffield’s first shot on target.
A short free-kick routine from the hosts provided another chance for Sheffield to take the lead, but an effort from the edge of the box proved to be no threat as it sailed over the crossbar.
Derby took the lead through Wheeler in the 19th minute, with the first shot from Drake being parried directly onto the forward's path and a calm, composed finish into the bottom-right corner gave the Ewes a well-deserved lead.
Oakley came close to extending the lead in the 25th minute, with a well-timed cross-turned-shot forcing Boni into a diving save, with the constant Derby pressure proving fruitful for chances.
A well-timed through ball from Wheeler sent Stevens on the chase in the 44th minute, but fast reactions from Sheffield’s goalkeeper saw her reach the ball before the Derby striker could poke the ball towards goal.
Sheffield tested the Ewes’ defence within the final few seconds of the first half, with a spell of possession around the box giving Derby some strong defensive work to do. The resulting chance rose high and out of the ground for the hosts, with the referee blowing for half-time immediately after.
Derby made one change at the break, with experienced goalkeeper Sarah Morgan coming on in a pre-planned change to replace Wayne in between the sticks.
The first opportunity of the second period presented itself for the hosts in the 49th minute. Excellent defending from Wildgoose denied a strike from Sheffield’s Stacey Buxton with a strong sliding challenge, stopping the striker from getting a shot away.
The spell of early Sheffield chances continued with a headed attempt from Butterworth just wide of the right post.
A quick break on the counter from the Ewes saw a well-timed pass from Becky May finding Yasmin Mason on the flank, and her squared ball to Bryan in the box forced Sheffield into defensive action, with the resulting strike blocked well.
Buxton almost brought the hosts level in the 53rd minute, with a strike from the left of the box rattling off the crossbar.
The Derby backline had to remain firm as a whipped cross from Sheffield captain Tilly Hallas-Potts found Imogen Fowler in space to shoot at the far post, but a darting recovery run from Mason denied the Sheffield winger with a well-timed tackle inside the penalty area.
The Ewes’ first chance of the second half fell to Oakley, who charged down the left flank following a quick break on the counter-attack. After cutting inside, Oakley’s curling effort from range was saved by Boni.
Griffiths opted for three changes on the hour mark, with Joyce, Wilson and Olivia Edwards replacing May, Mason and Oakley.
The Ewes instantly tested Sheffield’s defence, with a strike from Drake at the near post forcing Sheffield’s shot-stopper to make the save in the 61st minute.
Drake continued to be an imposing force for the Ewes, with another strike from the right flank deflected by Sheffield and out for a corner in the 66th minute.
Sheffield piled on pressure in the later stages of the second half, with Joyce forced into a block on the stroke of the 80th minute, and the deflection gave Butterworth a headed shot, which went directly to the hands of Morgan.
Derby responded on the counter with winger Lily Skeldon coming off the bench and playing a dangerous cross in behind, but Boni was wise to it and claimed the ball.
Skeldon presented a thorn in the side of Sheffield’s defence in the closing stages, as a well-timed, powerful strike to the bottom-left corner forced the goalkeeper into a diving save.
With minutes remaining, Sheffield continued to press high in search of an equaliser, but quick reactions from Ward and Wildgoose kept Sheffield at bay.
Wilson put the game to bed with a quick counter in the 88th minute. A goal-line clearance from Wildgoose set Wilson on the chase, and after beating her opposite full-back, placed a low strike through Boni’s legs and into the net, giving the Ewes a two-goal lead and securing all three points on the road.
The Ewes will look to continue their momentum with a return to FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division action at the Don Amott Arena against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday 5th October (2pm kick-off).
Derby County Women: Wayne (GK) (Morgan 46) (GK), Mason (Joyce 60), Wildgoose, Bryan, Ward (C), Oakley (Wilson 60), Drake, Wheeler, Stevens (Skeldon 69), Shepherd, May (Edwards 60).
Unused Substitutes: Melrose, Sparkes.
Images: Terri Lee
Words: Reuben Clarke
