By Joe Cooper
The game started slowly with a couple of chances at either end, until the 11th minute when Kate Mallin’s shot grazed the bar following a cut-back from debutant Rebecca Beresford.
Derby responded with a big chance of their own 6 minutes later, as Isabel Sheriden found herself in a good position down the wing and was then able to find Amy Sims in the box however her shot was straight into the hands of Faye Hazelton who caught the ball comfortably.
It was a quiet following 15 minutes, until Derby scored the opening goal of the game. It was Amy Sims with the goal, as she got on the end of a long ball that wasn’t dealt with properly by the Town defence and she was able to nod it past Hazelton who came out to get the ball.
Town nearly responded through Kate Mallin but her shot once again narrowly missed the target, which meant Derby led 1-0 going into the break.
The 61st minute saw Caz Fields pull the game level. Rebecca Beresford picked the ball up in the box with her back to goal, laying it off to Fields 18 yards out who managed to switch the ball onto their right foot and place it past Anna Draper into the bottom right corner.
It took 10 minutes for Derby to regain their lead, this time through Eleanor Ashton who shot across the keeper and found the back of the net.
3 minutes later Derby got another, and it was Charlotte Steggles with the goal as she chested in a deep corner.
Glen Preston opted for a triple substitution, bringing on Freya Watson, Scarlett McMahon and Aisha Nsangou.
Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to change the game, as Derby took the 3 points leaving Town winless on the road in 5, and now 7 points from safety.
