WOMENS MATCH PREVIEW: Halifax Women (H)

Derby County Women will face Halifax Women at the Don Amott Arena in FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division action on Sunday (2pm kick-off).

The Ewes come into the clash in Mickleover off the back of a convincing 6-2 win over Lincoln United in the FA Women’s National League Cup last weekend.

The Group P match saw Marnie Drake, Chenè Muir, Kate Oakley, Lily Skeldon and Olivia Edwards on the scoresheet on home turf as the Ewes continued their perfect record in the cup competition this term.

Head Coach Sam Griffiths is still looking for her side to pick up their first league win as Derby are without a point from their opening three matches, following a 6-0 loss at Rugby Borough on the opening day and subsequent narrow losses at home to Loughborough Lightning (2-1) and away to Middlesbrough (1-0).

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Ewes’ clash with Halifax 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

After a last-minute reprieve in the 2024/25 season, where relegation was avoided as a result of Blackburn Rovers pulling out of the Championship, Halifax will be hoping to capitalise on their unexpected good fortune.

Halifax FC Women were formed in 2013 as Brighouse Town Ladies. Head Coach Rob Mitchell helped found the club and has guided them from Tier 6 to Tier 3.

The club experienced two promotions in their first three seasons, winning the NERWFL Southern Division in 2013/14 and then being promoted out of the NERWFL Premier Division in 2015/16.

The team would also reach the final of the West Riding County Cup that season, eventually losing out to then Tier 3 side Bradford City.

The next two seasons saw consecutive second-place finishes at Tier 4, with Hull City and Burnley being promoted ahead of Mitchell’s side.

Following the coronavirus pandemic, the FA announced that promotion would be awarded to any club that could submit a long-term development plan alongside meeting other criteria relating to sporting merit.

The club was successful and was awarded promotion, which saw them competing in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division for the first time in their history.

Two County Cup wins in successive seasons were joined with seventh and fifth place finishes at Tier 3 level.

In the summer of 2023, the club rebranded as Halifax FC Women and became completely independent and self-funded.

A strong second half of the 2023/24 season saw wins against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, and a point against champions Newcastle United helped the club finish sixth in the table.

The Eagles also ended the season by winning another County Cup with a victory over Leeds Mods.

Halifax finished 11th in 2024/25, in the relegation zone, but a bye was handed to them due to movement elsewhere in the pyramid sees them still operating at Tier 3 level.

With the club also confirming Mitchell as their first-ever full-time Head Coach over the summer, Halifax will be looking to kick on this season.