Sun 07 Dec - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 3mins
In their penultimate game of the calendar year and final league outing of 2025, Derby County Women fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Rugby Borough Women in the FA Women’s National League North at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday.
Neither team were able to break the deadlock in a tight contest in the opening 45 minutes, but the visitors got in front on the hour mark through Sofia Mallon’s close-range strike.
The Ewes were unable to find an equaliser in the last half an hour of the game, with defender Jess Melrose going close in the latter stages for Sam Griffiths' side.
The game began strongly for the visitors, with early pressure forcing shot-stopper Lucy Jones into early action between the sticks in terms of claiming balls into the box.
A free-kick in the 15th minute allowed Derby to put pressure on the visitors, but despite a quick break on the right flank, no clear chance was able to be created.
Being forced into defensive action moments after the break up the other end of the pitch, Ewes defender Hannah Sparkes threw her body in front of a powerful strike from a Rugby player to keep the game at a stalemate in the 19th minute.
Jones made a brave darting save in the 24th minute to win a one-on-one with Borough midfielder Mai Moncaster, who had broken clear and into a shooting position.
Both sides continued to enjoy brief spells of possession and a few chances to go on the attack as the first half unfolded, but the defences for both sides remained resolute.
Defender Hannah Ward made a vital clearance in the 37th minute after a Rugby low cross was played toward the bottom-right corner as the Ewes continued to face pressure towards the end of the first half.
The best chance of the half for the Ewes came in the 42nd minute as Kate Oakley fired a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area, with her strike dipping wide of the bottom-right corner.
Two changes were made for the Ewes at the break as Griffiths opted to bring on the attacking duo of Chenè Muir and Ché Thomas to bolster the attack in place of Oakley and Minnie Wilson.
Rugby began the second half as the stronger side and, despite Derby's resolute defending, the visitors took the lead in the 60th minute as Mallon tapped in to finish off a sharp attacking move and a low cross from the right.
The final ten minutes of the game saw the Ewes go on the attack in the hunt for an equaliser.
The best opportunity fell in the 85th minute after a deep free-kick fell for Thomas, who saw her shot ricochet around the penalty area as Melose, Muir and Wildgoose all fired shots off, with the Rugby defence managing to hold firm.
With the clock running down the Ewes continued to search for a leveller, but Rugby held on to claim the victory.
The focus now switches to the Third Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup as the Don Amott Arena prepares to welcome Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland Women on Sunday 14th December (2pm kick-off).
Tickets for the Ewes' home game next weekend are FREE, when booked in advance.
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Melrose, Mason, Edwards (Wildgoose 77), Joyce (C), Ward, Oakley (Muir 46), Wilson (Thomas 46), Stevens (Skeldon 60), May, Sparkes.
Subs: Morgan (GK), Bryan, Shepherd.
Words: Reuben Clarke.
Don Amott Arena
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