The Don Amott Arena, home of Derby County Women based in Mickleover, Derby, Derbyshire and play their trade in the Women’s National League North. Nicknamed the “Ewes” after the Men’s team being nicknamed the “Rams”. They play at the home of Mickleover FC who play in the Northern Premier League but tonight we are here for Derby County Women who face Stoke City Women.
Derby County as a whole club are not having the best of times right now sadly with the club in Administration and in desperate need for a buyer to save them from potential liquidation… Let’s hope the club can be saved and that it can kick on!
An hour’s trip down the M1 and A38 sees me at the ground and in the car park in good time! £5 to watch this Women’s National League North tie! Buzzing! I never did get to visit this ground before it was redeveloped but it sure looks good at first glance and there is a lot of people in attendance tonight which is great to see in the Women’s game!! Out come the teams, “Come on you Ewes!”
Kick Off! The opening stages of the game sees Stoke earning corner after corner but Derby successfully defend them all and survive. 12 minutes in and Stoke have the ball on the left, it’s played in over the top for Sherry McCue and Maneula Delle to chase, the keeper charges out… McCue goes down and Delle has the goal at her mercy… She scores! But the Referee has blown for a Derby free kick. It looked like the keeper had taken out her own player there to me but the decision stands with no real appeal from Stoke… Maybe the Ref had a better view…
15th minute and Derby play forward, a ball is played over the top to Ellie Gilliatt who gets onto it, she gets into the box and she shoots… Good save by the Stoke keeper there and Stoke clear the danger, first sight of goal there for Derby. “Da da dadada dadadada Derby!” A bit of noise from the many fans in attendance and even a drum!
21 minutes on the clock and Derby win the ball back in the Stoke half, it’s played through to Precious Hamilton who gets into the box, she hesitates and shoots… Keeper gets there and Stoke clear… One touch too many there! 3 minutes later and Derby have a corner, it’s played short, it comes to Ellie Gilliatt around 25 yards out and she goes for goal… OH! She’s struck the bar but it’s not done yet, here’s Emily Joyce who heads it forward to Precious Hamilton… She’s offside! What a goal that would have been from Ellie Gilliatt there though!
The game has slowed down a lot now with both teams enjoying spells of possession but no real end product from either sides as of yet. 40th minute and Stoke have the ball just outside their own box… Not any more and Derby have dispossessed them and they play it through to Precious Hamilton who’s in… SHE SCORES!!! Derby lead!! 1-0!!
2 minutes later and Derby have a corner, in it comes… Precious Hamilton with the header… SHE’S DONE IT AGAIN!!! A free header and Derby double their lead! 2-0! At half time the score remained 2-0 to the home side.
Second half, 50th minute and Derby play down the left side, it’s crossed in towards Precious Hamilton but the Stoke defender gets there but it falls to Jade Formaston for the volley… It comes straight to Precious Hamilton who controls it well and takes a touch and shoots… Blocked! Stoke clear for a Derby corner, in it comes… The header… Wide!
55th minute and Derby play forward again, a ball is played to Precious Hamilton but Stoke stop here and clear but Derby retrieve it and it’s played to Jade Formaston, 35 yards out and she goes for goal… Oh brilliant! OHHHHH BRILLIANT!!!! What a SENSATIONAL goal there by Formaston!! It loops over the keeper into the top corner!! That is an unbelievable strike and Derby have 3!! 3-0!!
1 hour on the clock and Derby play a long ball forward to Ellie Gilliatt who’s in here… Oh no she’s put the shot just wide… So close to being 4! 4 minutes later and Stoke have a free kick on the left side, in comes the free kick… That’s going in… But the keeper tips it away for a corner. Nearly another crazy goal there from Stoke’s Callan Barber.
70 minutes now and Derby play another ball over the top and it comes for Precious Hamilton again in the box, is this the hat trick…? No! Good goalkeeping once again! 76 minutes now and Derby work it down the left flank, it’s crossed in… It’s Precious Hamilton with the header!! It is the hat trick now!!! 4-0!! 3 points for Derby!!!
“We love you Derby we do! Oh Derby we love you!” 87th minute and Derby play down the left again, crossed in low, it comes for Sophie Domingo at the back stick… NO! She’s blazed it over… Big chance! Into the 90th minute now and Derby play forward down the right this time, it’s crossed in low, Stoke get a foot to it but it comes to Ellie Gilliatt, she cuts inside in the box and goes for goal… Great strike!! 5-0!! Game, set & match to Derby!!!
FT: Derby County Women 5-0 Stoke City Women
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – A lovely atmosphere here tonight!! Everyone in a happy mood! Plenty of children here tonight enjoying themselves too! Not the loudest but definitely a stepping stone for fans at Women’s football! Great to see them banging the drum as well!
- The Ground: 7.5/10 – It’s a nice setup! Looks a lot more modern than before! I like the stand and I love the bar and seating area outside it! Great for Mickleover’s level!
- Expense: 10/10 – Saw plenty of goals and some good quality especially with that third goal!! All for £5!
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – I enjoyed tonight! Great to see the nice atmosphere and great to see some good goals tonight!!
28.5/40