Derby County Women fell to a 2-1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Don Amott Arena in their first home game of the 2024/25 FA Women’s National League - Northern Premier Division campaign on Sunday.
An early goal from summer signing Paris Dalton was cancelled out by Anna Morphet’s penalty and a header from Katie Johnson in the first half. Chances went begging for both sides in the second period.
The rhythm of the game broke up and both teams saw players dismissed from the field of play, as Derby’s Becky May and Wolves’ Morphet were shown red cards.
Sam Griffiths’ Ewes side came into the game buoyed by a 4-1 win on the road in their first outing of the season against Sporting Khalsa last Sunday, while Wolves also netted four against Stourbridge without reply.
Derby began well and Dalton gave the Ewes the lead just five minutes into her home debut as she neatly lobbed the ball over Wolves goalkeeper Bec Thomas and into the back of the net from 25 yards out.
Lucy Jones was forced into action in the ninth minute as Jade Cross and Tammi George both saw dangerous-looking strikes met by a firm hand from Derby’s goalkeeper.
Beth Roberts played George into a busy penalty area in the 18th minute, but Jones was once more equal to her strike at the back post.
Wolves were awarded a penalty for handball in the Ewes’ penalty area in the 20th minute. Wolves captain Morphet took her opportunity to draw the game level, as she finished into the bottom corner and gave Jones no chance to save, despite diving the right way.
The Ewes came close to going back in front when May’s in-swinging corner almost went into the back of the net, but Thomas was on hand to tip the ball onto the crossbar.
It was Wolves who took the lead as Johnson's free header at the far post flew into the back of the net in the 32nd minute.
Morphet had the chance to solidify the visitors’ lead just before the half-time whistle as Wolves were awarded a second penalty as Roberts was judged to have been brought down in the box. But Morphet hit the ball hard from the spot and saw it sail over the crossbar.
The second period began with both teams sizing each other out with the introduction of Derby’s Chenè Muir looking to freshen up the Ewes’ attack, as she replaced Lara Miller in the middle of the park.
Morphet came close from distance in the 56th minute as she struck the ball just beyond the post.
Steggles had a looping shot smothered by the Wolves goalkeeper in the 64th minute after some good link-up play between May and Daisy Burt on the right flank found the Derby centre-back in space on the edge of the box.
The Ewes looked to pressure the visitors further as Griffiths brought Kira Rai into the game to replace Kate Oakley.
Derby saw the benefit as a lengthy spell of possession saw Rai set up Muir to shoot in the 72nd minute, but Thomas was equal to it in the Wolves net.
May was dismissed from the field of play as he was shown a red card in the 90th minute for an off-the-ball incident.
Dalton played Muir in on goal deep into added time as Derby mounted a final attack, but she was brought down by Morphet to deny a goalscoring opportunity. The Wolves defender saw red for the foul and saw the numbers even for the last knockings.
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Burt, Jackson, Steggles, Jenkins, Miller (Muir 46), May, Joyce (C), Wilson, Dalton, Oakley (Rai 71).
Unused Substitutes: Morgan (GK), Ward, Hilliard, Meadows, McGowan.
Wolves Women: Thomas (GK), Morphet (C), Holmes, George, J Cross, Greengrass, Johnson, Anderson, Roberts (Loyden 84), Smith, Jenner.
Unused Substitutes: Elbro (GK), E Cross, McPhail, Ban, Fryer, Denhah.
Manager Sam Griffiths gave her reaction following the final whistle at the Don Amott Arena.
Captain Emily Joyce also offered her post-match thoughts after the narrow defeat.
