Isabel Sheridan scored a hat-trick and was among eight different goalscorers as Derby County Women’s Development Side thrashed Lincoln City 11-0 to reach the next round of the FAWNL Reserve Plate.
There was also a double for Sarah Newton, who also hit the post, on an afternoon where she recorded her first two goals of the season.
Derby made light work of their opponents, who put up a valiant effort after arriving at Moor Farm with just nine players.
The Ewes made two changes from last week’s victory over Sporting Khalsa, with Ruby Barnes and Alex Harding replacing Holly Otter and Amelia Towers.
It only took 40 seconds for Derby to take the lead. Molly Towers’ cross found Harding in space at the back post, who finished confidently for her first goal of the season.
The second came on 18 minutes. Newton’s perfect pass down the line allowed Iesha Rollins to find Ruby Barnes in the middle to tap home and double the Ewe’s lead.
Rollins herself got on the scoresheet soon after, finishing low from a tight angle right of centre via the aid of the woodwork after being spotted in space by Laila Abadi.
Lincoln briefly threatened when Scarlett Norman latched onto the end of a ball forward and saw her hopeful effort held by Lola Smith, but Derby went four ahead moments later.
It was Sheridan’s first of the afternoon as the Ewes top scorer fired one past Morgan Harris from 25 yards in what was the pick of the bunch.
Newton then had two efforts to score go begging. The substitute, who had replaced the injured Eleanor Humphrey early on, first turned inside the box expertly and cannoned an effort off the upright. Within seconds, she saw a left-footed effort that was destined for the bottom corner tipped round the post superbly by Harris.
Newton, who was well involved in the contest, earned her side a penalty which was duly dispatched by Sheridan, firing into the top corner and leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Sheridan, looking for her hat-trick, was denied twice in quick succession. Taylor Dean cleared off the line and Ella Fawcett blocked her efforts after some neat work from Rollins.
Newton got the goal she deserved just before half-time, rifling into the roof of the net for the hosts’ sixth goal of the tie.
Captain Abadi added her name onto the scoresheet early in the second half, her excellent strike flying into the top corner from outside the penalty area.
Rollins turned provider again as Derby made it eight, Newton grabbing her second of the day by tapping home the winger’s cross after getting between two defenders.
It was nine on 69 minutes. Laura Monk was on hand to rifle home her drilled effort into the bottom corner for her third goal of the season after Newton’s cross was only half-cleared.
Another Newton cross led to the Ewes getting into double digits. Sheridan was found in acres of space and had the simplest of tasks to tap home from six yards out to complete her hat-trick, taking her season tally to eight.
The final goal of the day came courtesy of Towers, who hammered in after Newton found another teammate in space, delivering low from a free-kick to the edge of the penalty area.
The Ewes record their sixth straight win and return to league action away at Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend.
Derby County (3-4-1-2): Smith; Owens, Brassington (Goodwin), M. Towers; Harding (Mallon), Abadi (c), Monk, Rollins; Sheridan; Barnes, Humphrey (Newton).
Report by Kallum Brisset
Derby County Women Development Head Coach Dan Dobrzycki praised his squad’s performance after their strong win in the Plate: “It was a difficult one to measure given the numerical advantage.
“We were professional, disciplined and moved the ball well.
“The goals were taken well and the patterns of play were pleasing against a stubborn low block.”
Dobrzycki continued to praise the girls in his squad as he reviewed the season so far with two games left before a winter break: “ The girls are getting better game on game, largely due to consistency, familiarity between the players and hard working in training.
“All credit to the players for their efforts.”
When asked about what he told the players pre-match to guard against complacency with a two-player advantage, committing to a plan was of the highest importance: “We spoke about executing to the game plan, which I think they did really well.” praised Dobrzycki. “The shape was good and the players figured it out on the pitch after a cagey first 15 minutes.”
Looking ahead, the Development Side’s final league game before January is an away trip to face an in-form Wolverhampton Wanderers Reserves, with three wins in four games.
Dobrzycki has great respect for his upcoming opponents but believes his squad has all the makings to remain unbeaten in the league going into Christmas: “Wolves are a very good side, but our game plan remains consistent.” he explained. “I won’t give too much away tactically but we’ll look to continue to play our own game.”
The trip to Wolverhampton is a 14:00 kickoff at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on Sunday 11th December.
Words by Riley Somerville.
