Derby County Women saw the points shared after a battling performance resulted in a goalless draw against Sporting Khalsa at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday.
The Ewes were aiming for a third victory on the bounce in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division, following consecutive victories against Hull City and Stourbridge, but both sides struggled to carve out clear-cut chances during the game.
It was a closely fought contest between the two sides, in which neither managed to get a firm grip hold on the match and score a decisive goal.
It was an even start to the game, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but failing to test the respective goalkeepers.
Derby’s first shot on target came from Ella Hilliard, as the defender tried her luck from distance in an attempt to repeat last weekend’s stunning free-kick goal against Stourbridge. Her strike was parried away excellently by Elise Stocking in the Sporting Khalsa net.
Khalsa responded with their first big chance of the game moments later when winger Layla Kennerley fired over the bar after getting on the end of a dangerous cross into the box.
The Ewes had the ball in the back of the net after 20 minutes following captain Emily Joyce’s rocket from distance. However, it was ruled out by the referee, who had blown his whistle prior to Joyce unleashing the strike, as two Khalsa players were down and required treatment.
Centre-back Charlotte Steggles blazed an audacious strike from 40 yards narrowly over the bar as the Ewes continued to push for an opening goal towards the end of the half.
Minutes before half-time Steggles threatened the goal once more nodding Hilliard’s deep free-kick towards goal, but her effort was clawed away as Stocking stood strong in the Khalsa net once more and kept the score level going into the break.
Chances were few and far between early in the second half, with the first shot on target in the second period coming from Khalsa’s Lowri Walker. Her effort was straight down the throat of Derby goalkeeper Lucy Jones, who collected it comfortably.
Sam Griffiths’ side pressed for a late winner as the clock ran down. Chenè Muir broke through down the right flank and squared the ball across the box into the path of Evie McCaffrey, but the ball was smothered by Stocking.
Khalsa broke forward moments later, as substitute Emily Brett was able to get a shot away from close range, but her low strike was no trouble for Jones.
Derby’s biggest chances in the game came in dying embers, as Ewes substitute Kate Oakley skewed a golden opportunity just wide of the post.
Striker Muir cut in on her right foot and steered her shot from outside the box past the post a minute later, as the Ewes piled on the pressure in search of three points.
The full-time whistle marked the end of a frustrating afternoon, with both sides unable to take chances to claim all three points.
Griffiths' side now have an extended break ahead of their next fixture - the clash with Khalsa was their final home game of 2024. They take on Wolverhampton Wanderers Women at the New Bucks Head on 15th December (2pm kick-off) in their final outing of 2024.
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Steggles, Jackson, Hilliard, Jenkins, Wilson, Joyce (C), Dalton (McGowan 70), McCaffrey (Burt 77), Rai (Oakley 70), Muir.
Unused Substitutes: Tweedie, Ward, Meadows, Miller.
After the match, Derby County Women Head Coach Sam Griffiths said: “We wanted to take the three points. However, I’m not sure we were quite good enough to warrant the win, but also, we weren’t bad enough to not take anything away from the game.
“We are disappointed because football is a game of moments, and we had a couple of good moments that we didn't take advantage of.
“Some of those really important moments where we don't quite connect or we took a little bit too long to make that decision have probably cost us today. That was a difference. If we take those couple of chances that we have towards the end it's a different story, but we didn't.
“The extended break gives us a real chance now to stop, reflect, and assess where we're at. Those players who need them will get some minutes under their belts.
“We're going to keep ourselves ticking over with friendlies through December as well as playing the Wolves game, which is going to be important. Then, hopefully, we can hit the ground running again in January.”
Words: Ella Barber
Images: Terri Lee
