Derby County Women suffered a 6-0 away defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division on Sunday.
Five first-half goals and one strike in the second period saw the home side extend their unbeaten league campaign at the SEAH Stadium.
Layla Kennerley made her Ewes debut in an improved second half from Sam Griffiths’ side, but Derby were unable to find a way back into the contest.
The Ewes will look to bounce back on home turf in two weeks, when they host Burnley at the Don Amott Arena.
Key Moments
An early chance saw the hosts rattle the bar. Lyndsey Harkin’s back-post delivery found Louanne Worsey in the box, who nodded an effort towards goal, but it was clawed away by Ewes goalkeeper Lucy Jones.
Wolves then broke the deadlock in the eighth minute. Amber Hughes’ strike was denied by the feet of Jones, but Worsey was there to tap home from close range to put the hosts ahead.
The home side doubled their lead in the 25th minute, courtesy of Charlotte Greengrass. The forward was first to react after a dangerous ball into the box from Hughes, slotting beyond Jones to make it 2-0.
Wolves added a third just minutes later. Hughes, involved once again, won the ball with an excellent tackle before sliding Beth Roberts through. Roberts delivered the ball into the danger area, where it deflected off an Ewes player into the net before it could reach the onrushing Greengrass at the back post.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and made it 4-0 in the 33rd minute. Chloe Williams’ pinpoint cross into the box found Worsey in space, and she made no mistake to fire the ball home first time from close range.
Worsey then completed her hat-trick before the interval, making it 5-0. She rose highest to head home Harkin’s well-delivered cross into the box.
Before the half-time whistle, the Ewes threatened through Kate Oakley. The forward darted through on goal before unleashing a strike, but it was collected by Wolves’ shot-stopper Alex Brooks.
Early in the second period, Chenè Muir was a bright spark for the Ewes. First, her mazy run forward opened up a shooting opportunity, before she dragged her effort narrowly wide of the post.
Soon after, she broke forward into a dangerous position once again and powered a strike at goal, but Brooks was alert to make a strong save.
Wolves made it six before the hour mark. Becky Anderson’s thunderous strike rattled the crossbar before rebounding into the path of Hughes, who was there to turn it in from close range.
Minutes later, an outstanding save from Jones denied the hosts a seventh. Beth Merrick’s powerful, curling free-kick was clawed away by the Ewes ‘keeper at full-stretch.
A double substitution followed for Griffiths’ side, with Georgia Stevens brought on to add another focal point upfront, and Kennerley, signed earlier this week, brought on for her Derby debut.
Jones made yet another fantastic save as the game entered its closing stages, denying Wolves substitute Racheal Quigley with lightning reflexes.
A chance opened up for Ewes debutant Kennerley soon after. The forward broke down the right before darting infield and letting fly, but she failed to convert from what was a tight angle as Brooks parried it away.
Jones then continued her excellent second-half showing, denying Anderson a late goal with a strong hand.
In stoppage time, Hannah Sparkes’ deep free-kick was delivered into a dangerous area at the back post. Substitute Stevens met it, but her header was claimed by Wolves’ number one.
Team News
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Melrose (Drake 82), Mason, Edwards (Kennerley 63), Joyce (C), Oakley (Stevens 63), Wilson (Ward 45), Locke, May, Sparkes, Muir (Donnison 75)
Unused Substitutes: Morgan (GK), Bryan.
Next Fixture
Derby are back in action in two weeks, as they return to the Don Amott Arena to host Burnley on Sunday 22nd March (2pm kick-off).
Click here for tickets for the Ewes’ home matches.
Words: Ella Barber
