Defensive duo Hannah Ward and Sarah Jackson were on target as Derby County Women were beaten 4-2 by a ruthless Stoke City at the Don Amott Arena in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division on Wednesday night.
Ward opened the scoring early on before Stoke hit back to lead 3-1 at the break.
The Potters went 4-1 up just after half-time but the Ewes continued to battle away, playing with plenty of heart, and deserved their consolation goal as Jackson thundered home a fine long-range free kick.
Key Events
Head Coach Sam Griffiths was without the unavailable Lara Miller, Charlotte Steggles, Kira Rai, Becky Hogg, Megan Tinsley, Becky May and Chene Muir, which meant she had to shuffle her pack somewhat.
Youngster Lily Skeldon was named in the starting line-up, after making her senior debut against Rugby Borough at the weekend, while fellow Female Talent Pathway players Eve Shepherd, Cait Deeley and Amy Cotton were on the bench.
Derby got what they deserved in the opening stages by taking the lead in the eighth minute. Stoke’s Tamara Wilcock committed a high-footed challenge which set up a beautifully worked set-piece goal which was converted clinically by Club Captain Ward with a low finish from inside the box.
The start allowed the Ewes to grow in confidence, but after the Referee awarded a controversial corner to Stoke in the 21st minute, it was Millie Ravening who rose the highest and headed the ball past goalkeeper Lucy Jones.
Stoke did not want to slow down but the Ewes were equal to the challenge maintain a good rhythm but, right on the 45th minute, Jess Reavill volleyed a free kick into the Derby box over Jones.
Stoke had one last opportunity to extend their advantage deep into added time. The ball was cut back onto the edge of the box to Shannon Stamps, who hit it goalwards with the outside of her boot and wrapped it into the bottom corner.
The visitors came out from the break at a fast pace and in the 49th minute Milly Holder latched onto a loose ball and let fly from distance, with her strike hitting the underside of the bar and bouncing over the line to put the away side in control.
The Ewes continued to battle hard and almost got a goal back when Ella Hillard flicked the ball back to Paris Dalton, who went to finish acrobatically but Stoke’s Liz Hobson made a fine save.
New signing Evie McCaffery, who has joined from Manchester City and replaces the injured Kate Oakley in the first half, drew a clever foul with three minutes remaining, leaving Jackson on a free kick from 35-yards out. The defender blasted it past Stoke’s substitute goalkeeper Lauren Bracewell into the top corner for just her second goal in Derby colours.
McCaffery continued to impress on her debut and had a late chance after being sent one-on-one with Bracewell, but a Stoke defender got back as she prepared to shoot and cleared the danger.
Despite the result being the third straight defeat, the Ewes put on a battling display with several encouraging signs to build on ahead of the of the FA Women’s National League Cup First Round tie at home to League Cup holders Hashtag United on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
The Team
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Ward, Jackson, Hilliard, Jenkins, Wilson, Burt, Dalton, Joyce (C), Skeldon (McGowan 46), Oakley (McCaffrey 34).
Unused Substitutes: Morgan (GK), Cotton, Meadows, Deeley, Shepherd.
Post-Match Reaction
Head Coach Sam Griffiths offered her reaction to Derby's home reverse against the Potters.
Defender and goalscorer Sarah Jackson provided her post-match verdict shortly after the final whistle.
Words: Max Stairs.
Images: Chris Clarke.