Leafield Athletic Ladies
Derby County Women suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Leafield Athletic Ladies in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup First Round Proper on Sunday afternoon.
Leafield sit second in Division One Midlands, the league below Derby, but made Camille Jenkins’ goal count for nothing as Sam Griffiths’ side bowed out of the competition at the first hurdle at the Don Amott Arena.
Angie Morley caught the Ewes sleeping just six minutes in. Evie Gallop put a low cross in from the right which found Morley at the back post who side-footed the visitors into the lead.
Derby hit back soon after through Jenkins. Chenè Muir applied pressure to Leafield’s backline and forced an error and the Ewes’ defender was first to react and finished calmly to put the side level with her fourth goal for the season.
Recent signing Sarah Tweedie came inches away from putting the Ewes into the lead with an impressive strike from 25 yards out early in the second half, but her effort was denied by the fingertips of the Leafield goalkeeper.
The visitors pushed their noses back in front as the clock hit 62 minutes after Jess Lowe headed Abi Cowie’s corner into the net from close range.
Jenkins came close to bagging her second of the game after defender Ella Hilliard’s free-kick was headed back across goal and into the path of the youngster who looped her header of her own over the bar.
The Ewes did have the ball in the back of the net two minutes later through substitute Charlotte Steggles but the defender, who was acting striker, was ruled offside.
Substitute Tiara Hemans secured Leafield’s third goal and place in the next round with a lofted shot to beat goalkeeper Sarah Morgan on her 200th Derby appearance.
Griffiths’ side must now turn their attention back to league action in a week’s time as they host Stourbridge at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday 10th November (2pm kick-off).
Derby County Women: Morgan (GK), Muir (Dalton 46), Jackson, Tweedie, Jenkins, Wilson, Joyce (C), Miller (McGowan 66), Ward (Hilliard 66), Rai (Steggles 68)
Unused Substitutes: Jones (GK), Meadows, Williams.
Words: Hannah Walker.
