3/1 To Win
Derby County Women secured a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Halifax Women in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division at the Don Amott Arena.
A first half of real intent from Derby resulted in two goals from Kira Rai and Camille Jenkins to secure the Ewes’ first three points of the calendar year.
Sam Griffiths’ side came into the game buoyed by a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their last previous fixture against a high-flying Rugby Borough side, giving them momentum going into the final stretch of the season.
Derby have regained form by playing in front of their home crowd and despite Halifax claiming their only point of the season in the return fixture earlier in the campaign, in a 0-0 draw, they were able to ease past their opponent to get an important win.
Key Moments
The home side came out flying as they dominated possession of the ball and built-up play to create chances, but couldn’t find the final touch in the opening exchanges.
Derby’s play was rewarded, though, and the deadlock was broken in the 19th minute as their first shot on goal ended up in the back of the net.
The opener came from a perfectly executed set-piece created from an inch-perfect ball by Sarah Jackson which was then finished off by Rai from close range.
The winger’s instincts saw her net her third goal of the season after
she jostled well to divert the ball into the back of the net inside a
packed penalty area.
Derby followed up just minutes later with a second goal, this time from Jenkins in the 24th minute with a tidy finish into the bottom right corner to extend the lead and mark her 10th goal for the club.
The start to the second half brought the same intensity with Derby pushing for a third and the visitors still searching for their first.
Despite no goals coming from the second half, Derby created some great chances with efforts from Evie McCaffrey and Daisy Burt.
The Ewes battled it out in the last 20 minutes to see out the win, with a determined effort to secure the three points and a clean sheet.
Derby will now look ahead to their next fixture away to Liverpool Feds on Sunday 9th March (2pm kick-off).
Team News
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Lewis, Steggles (McGowan 73), Jackson, Wilson (Ward 73), Joyce, Muir (Hogg 65), Jenkins, Rai (Dalton 73), Burt (Skeldon 65), McCaffrey.
Substitutes Not Used: Hilliard, Meadows.
Words: Ella Smetana.
Images: Terri Lee.
