REPORT: Stoke City Women 1-1 Derby County Women

Derby County Women claimed a point on the road in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division after a hard-fought clash with Stoke City ended 1-1 on Wednesday night.

Sam Griffiths' side notched their second draw on the road of the week, after also playing out a 2-2 at Halifax on Sunday afternoon.

Georgia Stevens scored her second goal in as many games for the Ewes, winning and scoring from the spot on Sunday, as well as against Stoke.

Evie Priestley gave the hosts the lead after 15 minutes at the Wellbeing Arena, when the attacker pounced on a loose pass from the back and ran beyond onrushing goalkeeper Lucy Jones before converting into an empty net.

The Ewes were kept at bay by a dominant Stoke in the first period, with Georgia Stevens, Kate Oakley and Chenè Muir looking to run in behind the Potters’ defence but struggling to force an opening in the first half.

Derby’s clearest chance came just before the whistle when Oakley latched onto a low delivery into the box, which Stoke shot-stopper Lucy Farrell got down low to save.

After the break, Derby looked to take advantage of the conditions, with play going through Stevens as a target player. Oakley and Muir flowed down the flanks as the rain battered down in Staffordshire - but Stoke remained resolute.

Derby’s chance did come when Stevens carried the ball into the box and took a smart foul to win the penalty, which she slotted into the bottom-left corner to make it 1-1 in the 52nd minute.

The Ewes were buoyed after the goal and look good value to notch. A swift flowing move saw Derby go near in the 57th minute; Ebonie Locke played a fast give-and-go to Stevens on the right, who moved the ball to Olivia Edwards to play a low cross into the penalty area.

Chenè Muir was at the end of the delivery, but her effort was swept up by the defence before she could take full advantage.

Stevens came close to a second with two attempts before the 70th minute. The first saw an audacious attempt at a looping shot from distance, which bounced and whistled wide of the post.

Another tidy move moments later saw Stevens latch onto the ball in the box, but her strike didn’t have enough power to trouble the goalkeeper.

Stoke regained more control in the closing stages, with the hosts having a spell of corner balls forcing the Ewes to dig deep and defend to hold out for a well-earned point.