REPORT: Derby County Women 1-1 Liverpool Feds

Derby County Women signed off their 2025/26 FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division campaign with a hard-earned point, as Layla Kennerley’s early strike secured a 1-1 draw against Liverpool Feds at the Don Amott Arena.

It was a tightly contested encounter in front of a packed-out crowd, as both sides tussled for control throughout the afternoon but ultimately failed to find a decisive winner.

Kennerley handed Sam Griffiths’ side the perfect start with a composed early finish, but the visitors were back on level terms midway through the first half following an unfortunate own goal, ensuring the points were shared on a sunny afternoon in Mickleover.

With the season now drawn to a close, the Ewes will look forward to another season in Tier 3 after cementing their spot in the division with a string of positive results to end the season.

Key Moments

A bright start from the hosts saw the Ewes take the lead in the seventh minute following a rapid counter-attack. Kennerley pounced on a long ball forward and was clinical to fire in from close range, putting Derby 1-0 up.

Soon after, Chenè Muir’s afternoon was cut short early, going down with an injury. Kate Oakley replaced the forward in a change that saw Kennerley drift infield to operate centrally, with Oakley occupying the left flank.

Before the 20-minute mark, Liverpool Feds midfielder Katie Anderson unleashed a rocket from the edge of the box, but Lucy Jones was there to parry it away with an outstanding stop at full stretch.

The resulting corner was delivered dangerously and met by Feds striker Chloe Fisher at the front post, before an important block kept the Ewes ahead. The ball then dropped for Seren Carrington on the follow-up, but her effort sailed well over the bar.

The visitors continued to press for an equaliser and got themselves back on level terms in the 20th minute. Jess Brady darted in behind the Derby backline and fired the ball across the box. Jones got a hand to it, but it cruelly ricocheted off an Ewes defender and into the net.

A chance for Derby followed as the hosts looked to restore their lead quickly. A well-worked move saw the ball drop for Kennerly just outside the box, but the forward dragged her shot narrowly wide of the post.

Becky May, looking to replicate her wondergoal scored at the Hawthorns last time out, then left fly from distance. This time, she was unable to get it on target as her effort curled wide.

A string of crucial interventions from Jones followed. First, the Ewes shot-stopper held Anderson’s long-range strike comfortably. Then, she was alert to deny Fisher’s shot from a tight angle at her near post, before rushing out of her net to punch away Faye Coulthard’s looping cross moments later.

Just before the break, Kennerley threatened the Feds' backline once again. The Ewes number 20 showed great determination to chase a lost cause and dispossess a Feds defender, before driving through on goal and attempting to squeeze the ball inside the near post. Feds goalkeeper Eva Spencer was there to deny her from a tight angle.

In the final action of the half, May received the ball in space, opened up her body and tried her luck from distance, but failed to trouble Spencer as it drifted wide. The Ewes headed into the break level after a competitive opening 45.

Griffiths opted to make a double change to inject fresh energy at the break, with Ebonie Locke and Bryony Donnison brought on to replace Olivia Edwards and Georgia Stevens for the second half.

Jones was called into action early in the second period as the ball dropped kindly for Feds forward Fisher, but the Derby goalkeeper was able to claw away her effort from a tight angle.

The Ewes responded with a chance of their own. A slick passing move eventually fell to Kennerly, who was able to slide in Locke, who stood in acres of space in a dangerous position. The substitute unleashed a powerful strike, but Spencer was equal to it to tip the ball away.

Soon after, the ball dropped for May on the edge of the box. The midfielder spun her marker and powered a rocket towards goal, but it was wide of the target.

Just before the hour mark, Meg Boydell’s pinpoint free-kick found the head of Henna Butcher, but she was unable to keep it under the crossbar.

A reflex stop from Jones followed to keep the game level. Anderson found space inside the box and fired a strike towards goal, but the Derby goalkeeper reacted excellently to divert it away with her foot.

Jones was alert again to deny the Feds a winner as the game headed towards its final quarter of an hour. She kept out Butcher’s header with a diving save to her left.

With both sides continuing to knock on the door, the Ewes came close with 10 minutes left to play. Oakley teed up Kennerley on the edge of the area, and she hit a thunderous first-time volley towards goal, but it was just wide of the target.

The Ewes came agonisingly close to finding a dramatic winner in the 91st minute. Jess Melrose found a pocket of space and drove forward before bending an effort across goal from outside the area, but an outstanding stop from Spencer at full-stretch denied Griffiths’ side all three points in their final outing of the 2025/26 season.

Team

Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Melrose, Mason (Wilson 82), Edwards (Locke 46), Joyce (C), Ward, Stevens (Donnison 46), Kennerley (Bryan 90+3), May, Sparkes, Muir.

Unused Substitutes: Morgan (GK), Drake.

Words: Ella Barber

Images: Terri Lee