Derby County Women will take on Cambridge United in the Final of the FA Women's National League
Plate on
Sunday afternoon at the home of FC United of Manchester (2pm kick-off).
dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you will need to know ahead of the Cup Final as the Ewes look to get their hands on some silverware.
Ticket Information...
Tickets are available on arrival at Broadhurst Park ONLY.
Prices are as follows:
£5 Adults
£3 Children
Updates relating to tickets will be posted on the Derby County Women X feed.
Pre-Match Thoughts - From The Boss...
Manager Sam Griffiths says Sunday’s final is an important and crucial game for her side.
Griffiths feels success in the competition and lifting silverware would provide a positive slant on what she has described as a disappointing campaign.
The Ewes are eighth in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division with seven wins, two draws and ten defeats to their name.
There have been progressive signs, however, for Griffiths’ young squad but the Derby boss would love nothing more than to lead her side to victory in the National League Plate for the first time in their history.
She said: “It wasn’t ideal in terms of preparation by losing at Halifax last weekend, but we are excited.
“This is a new week for us and we can look at that defeat as a reality check and a chance to refocus ahead of our first cup final.
“Other than the County Cup, which we used to take part in, we don’t have much experience of playing in a final so it will be a new experience for several players and a great occasion.
“As much as we want to say ‘it is just another game’, we know it isn’t and you have to treat it a bit different.
“We will treat Cambridge with the respect they deserve and we know anything can happen in a cup competition. We will have to be at our absolute best to lift the trophy.
“We feel it has been a disappointing season in the league, we wanted to be pushing for the top four or five, so this is an important and crucial game for us to show we have had some success this season.
“It is important for the girls to realise there’s a massive opportunity there for them on Sunday to go and win some silverware and make history.”
On her side’s campaign in the National League Plate, she said: “It has been important for us and cup runs can really help you in the season.
“It is given us opportunities to look at different players and especially some youngsters who have played their part.
“We didn’t want to be in the Plate as we’d have preferred to be in the League Cup, but as soon as we knew what competition we’d be in we wanted to win it.”
Pre-Match Thoughts - From The Dressing Room...
Captain Amy Sims is eager to get her hands on some silverware for the first time as a Derby County player - but knows a big performance is required against a strong Cambridge outfit.
Sims, who turned 25 last week, has stressed that the Ewes need to step up on the big stage.
The attacker has come right through the ranks with Derby and firmly established herself on the first team stage, so she’s aware of the importance of the club reaching a cup final.
She said: “Playing in any cup final is exciting and this is no different.
“We know we need to respond to the defeat at Halifax last week. The only way we can put things right is by showing a reaction and we know we need to put a big performance on.
“I haven’t won anything in my senior career, so it would mean a lot to me. I was fortunate to win some things at Academy level, so I’d love to do something similar with the senior team.”
National League Plate So Far...
Derby County Women produced a
five-star display on the road against Doncaster Rovers Belles in their National League Plate First Round tie in October.
Sam Griffiths’ side were 5-0 winners against the National League Division One North outfit to safely avoid a cup upset.
Derby
stormed into an early lead through forward Marli Rhodes-Andrews, with
just three minutes on the clock, and she went on to double the Ewes’
lead at the midway point of the half.
Midfielder Rebecca May netted her first goal in Derby colours, following her recent arrival from Manchester United, on the half hour mark before defender Maria Timms made it four before the break with a stunning strike.
Derby added a late fifth when defender Sarah Jackson netted her first goal for the club from distance to round off a comprehensive victory.
The Ewes turned on the style in the Second Round too with a convincing 5-2 win on the road at Northampton Town.
Derby led 2-1 at the break against the Cobblers thanks to goals from winger Kira Rai and captain Amy Sims.
Substitute
Yasmin Mosby, left-back Megan Tinsley, getting her first goal since
missing the whole of last season with a heart issue, and in-form forward
Eleanor Ashton got on the scoresheet before the hosts pulled a late
goal back.
The Ewes booked their spot in the Semi-Finals with a 5-0 victory at Sutton Coldfield Town in the Quarter Finals.
Skipper Amy Sims scored a hat-trick inside the opening 45 minutes to take her tally for the season to 16 in all competitions.
Midfielder Becky May and winger Kira Rai both scored late in the second half to round off a comprehensive victory for Sam Griffiths’ Ewes, while Sims also saw a penalty hit the post in the latter stages.
Derby booked their
place in the Final with a
4-2 victory at Exeter City in February.
In a thrilling contest against the Grecians, Sam Griffiths’ side stepped up and produced an impressive display in Devon.
Derby fell behind to Hollie Taylor’s strike just after the half-hour mark, but they hit back superbly to lead 2-1 at the break thanks to goals from Eleanor Ashton and Charlotte Steggles.
An own goal from captain Amy Sims’ cross put the Ewes 3-1 to the good after half-time but Amber Pollock quickly got a goal back for Exeter with a low strike from distance.
Derby went 4-2 up when substitute Camille Jenkins volleyed home her first goal of the season to extend their two-goal advantage at the near post from a corner.
No further goals followed as the Ewes saw the game out well and avoid any late drama.Match Highlights...
Full match highlights from Sunday's game will appear online on dcfc.co.uk following the final whistle.