3/1 To Win
Derby County Women were beaten 2-0 on the road against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division on Sunday afternoon.
Two goals late in the second half - a long-range strike from Ali Miller in the 81st minute and a spot-kick from Rhianne Oakley in the final stages - were enough to condemn the Ewes to a defeat, with Sam Griffiths' side limited in their shooting opportunities.
The result sees Derby eighth in the table with two games to go in the 2024/25 season, with the gap to seventh place increasing to four points.
Key Moments
The Ewes were still without striker Chenè Muir, who had netted three goals in three games before picking up an injury in the week ahead of their 2-0 loss at Nottingham Forest a fortnight ago, while Becky Hogg and Megan Tinsley remained sidelined.
Derby’s first opportunity came when defender Ella Hilliard fired a dangerous free=kick into the box in the second minute, but no Derby player was able to reach the ball.
Derby continued to dominate the early stages of the game, with Albion coming close on the ten-minute mark via a long-range strike from former Ewe Marli Rhodes-Andrews, with her shot saved comfortably by Lucy Jones.
Moments later, good combination play between Camille Jenkins and Emelia Wilson slotted Sarah Jackson in space to cross from the right wing. The ball evaded Kate Oakley’s attempted shot and ricocheted off Paris Dalton towards goal, but West Brom goalkeeper Laveena Johnson comfortably saved.
A free-kick deep into the box from Jackson was flicked across goal by Wilson, but Albion’s defence cleared comfortably in the 15th minute as Derby striker Oakley again couldn’t stretch to steer the ball towards goal.
The match remained at an even pace for both sides until Daisy Burt launched a strong counter-attack on the right flank in the 31st minute. Her cross to the back post was aimed at Jenkins but was claimed by Albion shot-stopper Johnson before any shooting opportunity could arise.
Jones was called into action in the 42nd minute to tip away an Albion cross, with Hilliard there to clear the ball away from danger.
Teetering on the edge of half-time, a dangerous through ball from Charlotte Steggles was set to reach Jenkins, but some fast reactions from Albion’s Johnson saw the goalkeeper claim the ball, with the deadlock remaining intact going into half-time.
Griffiths made three changes at half-time. Young duo Evie McCaffrey and Sacha Lewis, alongside Helena Meadows, came on to replace Hilliard, Becky May and Newcastle United loanee Burt.
McCaffrey received the first booking of the game after the midfielder went in with a flying challenge in the 49th minute.
The 56th minute saw the referee wave away a penalty appeal for the Ewes after McCaffrey was brought down in the box, with Albion deemed to have won the ball.
A long-range free kick from Jackson in the 62nd minute was directed toward the Albion goal, but Johnson was able to claim it with relative ease.
Substitute Kira Rai, who replaced Oakley in the 65th minute, came close to the opener in the 74th with an effort from close range which went just wide and into the side netting.
The hosts would break the deadlock in the 78th minute, with a long-range strike from Miller beating Jones after a misplaced pass from the Derby backline.
Maddie Oliver became the second booking of the game, after the Albion defender brought down Lewis on the counter in the 84th minute, with the free-kick cleared for a corner.
Derby captain Emily Joyce managed to get a strike off from the edge of the box, but some good defending from Albion kept the game within a small one-goal margin.
Rai had one final chance for the Ewes in the 91st minute, with her headed effort from close range too close to Johnson.
A penalty for the hosts proved to be the final kick of the game and cemented the result.
Phoebe Warner was brought down by Jones after the shot-stopper attempted to claim a loose ball, and West Brom attacker Oakley placed her penalty into the bottom-right corner to double the hosts' tally before the referee blew for full-time.
The Ewes will be back in action for their final home game of the season against Hull City Ladies at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday 13th April (2pm kick-off). Ticket information for Derby's last home fixture of the campaign can be found by clicking here.
Team News
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Steggles, Jackson, Hilliard (McCaffrey 46), Jenkins, Joyce (C), May (Meadows 46), Jenkins; Burt (Lewis 46), Dalton, Oakley (Rai 65).
Substitutes Not Used: Morgan (GK), Ward, McGowan.
Images: Terri Lee
Words: Reuben Clarke
