A resilient performance from Derby County Women saw them hold Wolverhampton Wanderers Women to a 0-0 draw at the New Bucks Head on Sunday.
The result means the Ewe Rams have drawn consecutive games in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division following the 1-1 draw with Brighouse Town last time out.
Back-up Derby goalkeeper Sarah Morgan and Megan Clarkson both played their part in ensuring the Ewe Rams kept a clean sheet, with plenty of chances coming for Wolves in the second half.
A cagey start to the first half saw both sides trying to find their feet in the opening ten minutes of the game. The Ewe Rams' best chance came from Marli Rhodes-Andrews, who ran to the byline cutting the ball back to pick out Amy Sims, who audaciously attempted a backheel, but her effort was weak, rolling into the hands of Shan Turner.
Once again, Sims was threatening the Wolves goal just minutes later as she powerfully fired inches wide of the post.
It took until the 31st minute for the next chance to arise for either side, as Wolves midfielder Laura Cooper volleyed over following an in-swinging corner.
Another half-chance fell to Sims, this time in the 38th minute. She tried her luck from the edge of the area, but she fired her effort wide once again.
Moments later, Beth Merrick rifled an effort from range which forced an excellent save out of Morgan to push the ball out for a corner.
The resulting corner was whipped in with power, which was met by a Wolves head, but Megan Clarkson was on hand to head the ball off the line.
Derby started the second-half lively, with an opportunity falling in the way of Rhodes-Andrews. However, her effort was high and wide.
Another corner caused problems for Derby in the 49th minute; this time, it was Katie Johnson’s header that forced Morgan into a save, tipping the ball over her bar from close range.
Wolves should have opened the scoring in the 54th minute. Jade Cross drilled a low cross into the area, which fell to Merrick, who somehow fired wide from close range.
Three minutes later, Destiney Toussaint beat Derby’s high line to get in behind before cutting inside and unleashing a tame effort into the hands of Morgan.
Another glorious opportunity for Wolves went begging in the 75th minute, as Merrick once again missed in a similar fashion to the chance she had earlier in the game.
Wolves had a penalty shout firmly waved away by the referee in the 81st minute as Clarkson brought down Cross inside the area, but her challenge was deemed a fair one.
Emelia Wilson had a chance to snatch the winner late on, but her effort was straight at Turner, following substitute Jess Camwell’s excellent wing play.
Clarkson made a second goal-line clearance from another corner at the dying embers of the game to ensure Derby kept a clean sheet.
The Ewe Rams will return to action on Sunday 23rd April, as they travel to Huddersfield Town (2pm kick-off).
Derby County Women: Morgan (GK), Sims, Ward (C), Clarkson, Joyce, Wilson, McGrother, Sutherland, Hilliard (Camwell, 76), Gaspar (Rai, 56), Rhodes-Andrews.
Substitutes Not Used: Maguire (GK), Jenkins.
Report taken from the Derby County Women website.
