Derby County Women were narrowly beaten by Newcastle United in their latest FA Women's National League Northern Premier
Division outing on Sunday - with the Magpies claiming a 1-0 win at the Don Amott Arena.
Bridget Galloway’s header just before the interval was the only goal of the game despite the visitors putting Sam Griffiths' side under stong spells of pressure.
A late penalty save by Ewes goalkeeper Anna Draper kept Derby in the game but they were unable to find an equaliser as Newcastle picked up all three points.
Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for the Ewes to take away from the match ahead of Sunday's away fixture at Hudderfield Town (2pm kick-off).
“I'm Proud Of The Team For Staying In The Game For As Long As They Did” - Griffiths
Manager Sam Griffiths was pleased with the way her side competed against one of the league’s promotion favourites.
The Magpies are a full-time outfit and Griffiths thought the visitors’ quality showed on the pitch, but she was proud of the way Derby rose to the challenge and pushed them all the way.
She said: “You can’t get away from the fact that the girls have competed against a full-time outfit. I thought Newcastle were excellent; their movement, first touch and runs off the ball were all very good.
“I have no complaints with the 1-0 scoreline and I am really proud of the team for staying in the game as long as they did. They put a real shift in. The way they played today pleased me and it says a lot that Newcastle were desperate for the full-time whistle.
“We were a bit disappointed to concede when we did just before half-time. It is never ideal to do that and it certainly changed the team-talk at half-time for both teams.”
The versatile Becky McGrother started the game at left-back but was forced off at half-time owing to a knee injury sustained in the build-up to Newcastle’s goal.
McGrother was only just back in the side after a three-match absence due to injury and Griffiths was left ruing the Ewes’ luck when it comes to the number of players on the sidelines with Megan Tinsley, Ella Hilliard, Rebecca May and Kira Rai also missing out against the Magpies.
She said: “We will make sure Becky is assessed properly but it doesn’t look great at the moment.
“We’ve been really unlucky with injuries recently. We’ve been unable to get some consistency in key areas of the pitch as a result but it is what it is and we’ll deal with it.”
Despite tasting defeat following last weekend’s 7-1 rout of Stourbridge, Griffiths is confident the Ewes have every reason to face the Terriers in a confident frame of mind.
She said: “The players should be confident and I think we have seen enough in this game and the second half at Stourbridge to provide the belief that we can go on and win matches.
“We should go into Huddersfield with a lot of confidence and if the girls keep doing what we’re doing then the results will come.”
“We Can Hold Our Heads Up High” - Draper
Goalkeeper Anna Draper felt the Ewes’ defensive performance, from front to back, was to a high standard despite coming out on the wrong side of the 1-0 scoreline.
The summer recruit from Aston Villa, who is with Derby on a dual registration basis for the campaign, has started all four league games so far this term.
She feels the Ewes have plenty of positives to build on with the games coming thick and fast over the next few weeks.
The 7-1 rout of Stourbridge was followed up with a determined display against the Magpies and although the fixture ended in defeat, Draper says the side have every reason to hold their heads up high.
She said: “It is disappointing to lose the game by a single goal as we’d have loved a clean sheet or to get some points on the board from it.
“The workrate was fantastic from back to front collectively to defend as a team, getting blocks and clearances in.
“Newcastle are a full-time outfit so we knew this would be a difficult test but we showed we could match them or even be better at times. To lose by a single goal, as disappointing as it is, is a positive and now we need to build on this and get some more points.
“If we keep our heads up high and keep working hard in training, our hard work will definitely pay off. We’ve got plenty of big games coming up so hopefully we can get into a good rhythm.”
On her penalty save in the second half, Draper added: “It is always good to do that, especially as moments like that can be crucial in games.”
