Sun 23 Nov - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 4mins
Derby County Women secured their place in the Third Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup following a 4-1 victory over Stockport County Ladies at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday.
Despite being a goal down 25 minutes into the Second Round tie, a spirited comeback featuring goals from captain Emily Joyce, Becky May, Georgia Stevens and Minnie Wilson ensured the Ewes would feature in the next round of the competition.
Derby began with an almost perfect start as midfielder Ella Bryan saw her powerful strike parried away by Stockport’s goalkeeper Freya Heap in the first minute.
The early pressure continued for the Ewes in a flurry of chances during the opening 15 minutes, with Stockport mainly contained to their half. Some strong build-up play from striker Chenè Muir in the 14th minute allowed the forward to let fly from range, with her strike going just wide of the bottom-right corner.
Stockport took the lead in the 24th minute after a misplaced pass from the Derby backline saw the ball land at the feet of Abbie Podmore - and the Stockport midfielder fired beyond Lucy Jones from just inside the penalty box to hand the Hatters the lead.
Derby continued to control the tempo of the game during the first half, but chances were few and far between.
Joyce brought the Ewes back level in the 40th minute after a well-worked passing sequence in the Stockport half found the skipper at the edge of the penalty area, with her curling effort fired into the top-right corner and beating the outstretched arm of Stockport’s Heap.
The Ewes went on the hunt for their second goal to take the lead immediately. A well-timed run from Muir sent her one-on-one with Heap, but her strike was deflected off a last-gasp block from Stockport’s defence.
A free-kick in the 45th minute for the Ewes gave May the chance to shoot from 25 yards out, but her strike was directed towards Stockport’s shot-stopper.
Just before half-time, a well-worked pass to Ché Thomas saw her deflected strike fall towards Muir at the back-post. Her headed effort was miss-hit and wide of the goal as the referee brought the first half action to a close.
Derby opted for a singular change at half-time, with Bryan being replaced by Wilson. However, the visitors almost regained their lead in the 48th minute as Jones’ parried save fell to Jess Battle, but the striker’s finish sailed over the crossbar.
A corner for the Ewes in the 51st minute saw May’s floated delivery toward the far post land at the feet of defender Jess Melrose just inside the penalty area, but a well-organised Stockport defence closed out the Ewes' challenge.
Derby took the lead just before the hour. From 30 yards out, May fired home a sensational free-kick straight to the top-left corner, rattling in off the underside of the crossbar and giving the Ewes the deserved lead in the 57th minute.
With a newfound sense of confidence, the Ewes kept charging on to try and extend their lead, with Muir seeing her powerful strike in the 62nd parried back to her feet; the follow-up was blocked and cleared by Stockport.
Substitute Stevens made an immediate impact only four minutes after being brought on the field as a low cutback from fellow substitute Kate Oakley left the forward staring down an open net - and the forward coolly slotted home in the 72nd minute to extend the Ewes' lead to two.
A free-kick in the 84th minute for the visitors saw Jones off her line to parry, but the ball fell to a Stockport attacker. The strike was blocked on the line following a last-ditch challenge from Mikayla Wildgoose to keep the Ewes’ two-goal advantage as the game’s conclusion drew closer.
Derby had room for one more goal in the 85th minute from Wilson on the counter-attack saw her low-driven effort roll past Stockport’s shot-stopper and secured the Ewes’ spot in the Third Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
The Women’s FA Cup Third Round draw will take place on Monday 24th November at 7pm. You can follow the draw live on the official Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel alongside the TNT Sport and Channel 4 YouTube channels.
Full focus switches back to the league as the Ewes host Wolves Women
at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday 30th November (2pm kick-off).
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Melrose (Ward 82), Mason, Wildgoose, Thomas (Edwards 56), Joyce (C), Bryan (Wilson 46’), Drake (Oakley 56), May, Sparkes, Muir (Stevens 69).
Substitutes Not Used: Skeldon, Morgan (GK).
Words: Reuben Clarke
