Derby County Women National League Plate Preview: Sutton Coldfield Town (A)

Derby County Women will take a brief break from their league campaign when they head to Sutton Coldfield Town in the Quarter Finals of the FA Women's National League Plate on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off).

dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you will need to know ahead of the cup clash.

Pre-Match Thoughts - From The Coaching Staff...

First Team Coach Mark Russell has stressed the importance of going into Sunday’s Quarter Final clash with a positive mindset.

Derby have overcome two lower-league opponents in the National League Plate so far this season by producing professional performances on the road.

Russell is calling for more of the same as the Ewes target a place in the final four of the competition.

He said: “It will be a tough game for us.

“What is important this week is that we prepare right, like we would do for any other fixture.

“We’ll go there with a positive mindset and see what comes from it.”

Pre-Match Thoughts - From The Dressing Room...

Winger Kira Rai, who made her long-awaited return after almost three months out injured in last weekend’s 2-0 home win over Stourbridge in the league, says the Ewes will have to be on their game this weekend.

Sutton Coldfield Town are an open-age team playing in the Premier Division of the West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League and Rai is not underestimating the challenge the side will face.

With a place in the Semi-Finals up for grabs, Rai knows the importance of the side being at their best.

She said: “A cup game is a cup game, so it doesn’t matter what league the opposition are in.

“We need to bring our best performance and be on our game.

“If we can do that, there’s no reason why we can’t pick up a win.”

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.

Match Highlights...

Full match highlights from Sunday's game will appear online on dcfc.co.uk following the final whistle.