Derby County 1 (Sutherland 59) Wolves Women 2 (Wilson 14, Hughes 36)
Wolves Women made a winning start to their 2023/24 FA Women’s National League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Derby County Women at the Don Amott Arena.
First half goals from debutant Ellie Wilson and forward Amber Hughes gave Wolves the perfect start to the league season.
Derby halved the deficit through Molly Sutherland but Wolves held on to record a well-earned three points on the road.
Wolves made use of a bright opening as Beth Merrick’s free-kick was glanced home by Wilson who was making her league debut for Wolves Women with only 14 minutes on the clock.
Goalkeeper Shan Turner had to be alert a minute later to deny Becky McGrother after a corner fell kindly for Derby’s full-back.
Wolves almost had a second when Hughes’ cross was deflected into her own side netting by the Derby defender.
Hughes wasn’t to be denied though as she won the header and foot race ahead of the defender out wide, before cutting inside her marker and slamming home from inside the area with a fine individual effort on 36 minutes.
A superb solo goal 👏 pic.twitter.com/MZ1fs6mvpP
— Wolves Women FC (@WolvesWomen) August 20, 2023
Merrick tried her luck from distance moments later but Derby shot-stopper Anna Draper saw her effort fly over the crossbar.
Destiney Toussaint’s low cross was diverted onto the crossbar late in the first half as Wolves’ pressure continued before the break.
Half-time | Derby County 0-2 Wolves
Jess Camwell arrived in the box late and struck a fine right-footed effort towards the top corner but Turner clawed it away from danger as the Ewes eyed a way back into the encounter.
Seconds later, Turner was powerless to deny Sutherland who hammered a long-range effort into the far corner of the goal to halve the deficit just before the hour.
Goal scorer Wilson almost turned provider for Hughes but her cross was inches away from the forward’s stride.
Derby pressed for an equaliser and came close through Emilia Wilson whose volley from the edge of the box bounced wide of Turner’s far post.
Wolves’ defensive resolve was tested into the closing stages as the hosts gained more territory without creating many clear-cut opportunities.
There was no way through the visitors’ defence as Wolves opened their account with three points over Derby County on the opening day.
Full-time | Derby County 1-2 Wolves
A hard-earned victory 😅 pic.twitter.com/aUplJaBA0z
— Wolves Women FC (@WolvesWomen) August 20, 2023
NEXT FIVE
27/08/23 Doncaster (H) League Cup
03/09/23 Burnley (A)
06/09/23 Stourbridge (H)
10/09/23 Halifax (H)
17/09/23 Stoke City (A)
TEAMS
Derby County | Draper, Jackson, Sutherland, Steggles, Joyce, Mosby, Wilson, Sims, McGrother, Ashton (Rhodes-Andrews 87), Camwell (Rai 67).
Subs not used | Maguire, Timms, Sheridan.
Wolves | Turner, Wilson (E. Cross 80), Morphet, George, Will, Dermody (Fergusson 70), Johnson, Toussaint (Dicken 90+1), Roberts, Merrick, Hughes (J Cross 87).
Subs not used | Fryer.
Report by Josh Evans
