Three second half goals including a brace off the bench for Ali Miller meant all three points were claimed by Wolves as they beat Derby.
Amber Hughes put Dan McNamara’s side ahead early on in the second half, but Anita Gaspar drew the game level just minutes after. It was two late goals from Miller that secured the victory for Wolves.
The home side had the majority of chances in the opening 15 minutes, with three shots in quick succession for Derby all narrowly missing the target. Both keepers had plenty to do early on as Wolves grew into the game and chances began to fall for both sides, but neither were able to take the lead.
The biggest chance of the half came to Hughes with around 10 minutes to play. She took the ball round Derby keeper Imogen Maguire but was off balance and couldn’t fire her shot on target.
A moment of uncertainty at the back left Wolves keeper Bec Thomas backtracking with the ball, and Kiera Barry closed down well, but the ball deflected off her and over the bar just before the half-time break.
Half-time | Derby 0-0 Wolves
Just five minutes into the second half, Maz Gauntlett met a long ball over the top and looped her shot over Maguire, but the ball sailed just wide of the post.
Wolves built on this well and sustained pressure on the Derby defence, and 10 minutes into the second half it paid off as Hughes managed to push her side ahead.
A scramble in the box resulted in Hughes’ 10th league goal of this campaign as McNamara’s side took a deserved lead.
The hosts reacted well to going behind however, and just seven minutes later drew level as winger Gasparfired the ball past Thomas.
A sustained period of pressure then came for Derby County who had a few chances in front of goal, but the Wolves defence did well to contain the pressure and keep it level.
Both sides believed they could go on and win it, but it was second half substitute Miller who made the difference, her shot finding the bottom left corner with 15 minutes left to play, just a minute after coming on.
With just five minutes remaining, a long-range strike from Kiera Barry looked bound for goal, but it sailed just wide of the post. Moments later Miller broke free through the middle and demonstrated excellent composure to round the keeper and slot home her second goal of the game to give Wolves some breathing space and the victory.
Full-time | Derby 1-3 Wolves
REACTION
Speaking after their 3-1-win, assistant manager Andy Jones said: “It’s difficult to come here, we had a game plan to go with it, I thought the girls coped really well with it. They made things difficult, especially in the middle.”
On the half-time team talk
“We went in and said a similar message we’ve been saying for the past few week. It’s just a case of being patient in possession, sticking to the gameplan and looking to exploit their weaknesses when we can. Just to tidy up a little bit really, we were a bit disappointed with some of the quality we showed in the first 10 or 15 minutes, we wanted to put a bit of pressure on the girls to improve the quality and I think we did that in the second half.”
On Hughes’ 10th league goal
“We all know what Amber can give us. She gives us goals, but she gives us more than just goals she gets the credit for. Second half performance she battled well, she’s good at receiving the ball. She works relentlessly hard and that’s the culture we’ve built across all the girls, they all work for the team. Pleased for her to get another goal but more pleased for the work she’s doing off the ball.”
On Miller’s brace off the bench
“She had a bit of a slow pre-season but her attitude and application for the past few weeks has been outstanding. She gives us that real pace, that real threat, that real desire and she’s done it again today.”
On the next game against Brighouse
“They’re a good side, Brighouse always give us problems, they’re always a tough opposition to face. It’s just about momentum for us, getting in for another good week of training the best way we can for next week.”
NEXT FIVE
6/11 Brighouse Town (H)
18/12 Fylde (A)
8/1/23 Liverpool Feds (H)
29/01/23 Huddersfield (H)
5/02/23 Loughborough Lightning (A)
TEAMS
Derby | Maguire, Jenkins, Clarkson, Sims, Wilson, Joyce, Sutherland, Gaspar (Camwell 75), Barry, Rhodes-Andrews (Kira Rai 58), Jackson.
Wolves | Thomas, Morphet, E.Cross, George (Dicken 90+2), Gauntlett, J.Cross, Dermody, Hughes, Holmes, Johnson, Merrick (Miller 73).
By Louis Woodrow
