3/1 To Win
Derby County Women’s Under-21s side claimed FA Women’s National League Reserve Cup glory via penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth Women Under-21s at St George's Park on Saturday afternoon.
Mia Wheeler opened the scoring early on for Derby, and the young Ewes were the team on top for the majority of the contest, but Elin Starck equalised in the 83rd minute for Bournemouth to make sure the game was decided from the penalty spot.
After six penalties apiece, it was Leilani Lovell who saved the final spot-kick, helping Derby to win 4-3 in the shoot-out and become FA Women's National League Reserve Cup Champions.
The Female Talent Pathway side, overseen by Head Coach Michael Noon and
Professional Development Phase Coach Alex Walker, entered the Final off
the back of a 3-0 loss against Leeds United in the league, but they have been in
scintillating form this season, sitting third in the Reserve Midland
Division.
The Young Ewes have only lost two of their 16 league matches this season, but opponents Bournemouth are an equally formidable opponent after going unbeaten in the Reserve Southern Premier so far this season.
Key Moments
The Ewes’ first chance came in the third minute as Wheeler skipped past her marker with some incredible footwork and whipped a delightful cross into the box, but it was cleared away before a Derby player could make an impact.
In the 12th minute, Cait Deeley had a free kick in a dangerous position and her ball found substitute Maya Williams at the far post, but the ball was punched away by Bournemouth goalkeeper Annu Roy.
Williams had entered the field following a head collision early in the contest, with Belle Peach departing.
Bournemouth launched an attack of their own as Maddie Rook shot low and hard goalwards, which forced Leliani Lovell into a fine save.
In the 18th minute, Williams, who had looked dangerous since coming on, beat her marker and fired a low driven cross into Wheeler. The Ewes’ attacker composed herself and rifled the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.
The lively start to the game died down as Derby sat back and managed the rest of the half, giving them a 1-0 lead going into half-time.
Bournemouth had a chance to equalise in the 53rd minute as Amie Cooper drove into a dangerous area, but it was blocked and cleared to safety.
Olivia Tomkins picked the ball up in midfield and aimed from 25 yards out in the 60th minute. The shot whistled past the far post, just inches away from doubling the lead.
In the 79th minute, Wheeler raced onto a ball from midfield and chipped the ball over Roy in the Bournemouth net, but her effort was put wide and out for a corner.
Bournemouth had a free-kick in a dangerous position, which was crossed in on the 83rd minute. It was Starck who rose the highest, and her headed effort flew into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
The game went to penalties, and after six penalties for each team, shootout hero Lovell got down to stop a crucial penalty, winning the game for Derby.
Team News
Derby County Women Under-21s: Lovell (GK), Peach (Williams 12), Barritt, Dickens (C), Tomkins (Qose 64), Trail, Brassington (Cecchini 70), Sharpe, Wheeler, Boyland (Cotton 57), Deeley (Skeldon 50).
Words: Max Stairs
Images: Terri Lee
