3/1 To Win
Derby County Women fell to a 4-0 defeat against high-flying Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division at New Bucks Head Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Four first-half goals in difficult playing conditions separated the sides. Amber Hughes scored the first early into the half, followed swiftly by Charlotte Greengrass who doubled the lead. A penalty converted by Anna Morphet and a goal by Jade Cross in the 45th minute completed the scoring.
Derby limited the hosts' chances in the second half and created some of their own, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the four-goal deficit.
The clash against Wolves was the Ewes' first competitive game in 70 days, after having their first two fixtures of 2025 postponed due to adverse weather.
Versatile winger Becky Hogg also returned to competitive action for the first time since her return from an ACL injury sustained in September 2023, while Becky May also made her long-awaited return after injury.
Key Moments
The hosts started quickest and managed to capitalise as Cross put a low-driven ball into the box which was parried as far as Hughes, who tapped it into the goal to give the hosts the advantage.
Derby were looking to get a foothold in the game but in the 18th minute, Greengrass robbed the ball from Sarah Jackson and slotted it into the goal to double the hosts’ advantage.
Wolves made it three after an unfortunate handball from Daisy Burt saw the hosts awarded a penalty and Anna Morphet struck the ball with poise and converted the spot kick.
It was a half to forget for the Ewes as the ball slipped past Lucy Jones and was bundled into the goal by Cross right on the stroke of half-time.
Derby’s Head Coach Sam Griffiths made a triple change during the interval, which livened up the front line.
Substitute Lily Skeldon stormed into a dangerous position early in the second period and had her effort deflected and cleared to safety.
Derby’s tenacity saw a closer encounter in the second half, with the hosts given few opportunities throughout the half.
Sacha Lewis, after recently arriving on a dual-registration from Manchester City, played an inviting ball into a dangerous area in the 71st minute, but the delivery was pounced on by Wolves goalkeeper Bec Thomas to deny the chance before a Derby player could latch onto the ball.
The final whistle drew the game to a close as the Ewes put on a battling display in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a clinical first half from the hosts.
Derby will return to action for their first competitive fixture of the year on home turf when they go head-to-head with promotion-hopefuls Burnley at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday 2nd February (2pm kick-off).
Team News
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Jackson, Hilliard, Wilson ((Steggles 46), Joyce (C), Muir (Lewis 69), Oakley (Skeldon 46), Hogg (Rai 46), Burt, May, McCaffrey.
Substitutes Not Used: Tweedie, Ward, McGowan.
Words: Max Stairs
Images: Chris Clarke
