Lds 1st XI run comes to an end against Staveley

Saturday saw Derby Ladies 1st XI lose for the 1st time this season at the hands of Staveley 1-2.

Following last week destruction of Burton confidence was very high prior to the match but there was also an undercurrent of some fear as it was Staveley that almost won the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

The game started in typical fashion with Derby driving hard at the opposition to attempt to dominate the opening exchanges but it was Staveley who took the lead after 6 mins from a scrambled effort just in front of goal.

Derby forced 5 penalty corners inside 20 mins and for the 1st time this season failed to convert or create any real openings from them with the exception of Marie Dymonds effort on 18 mins which sailed wide from only 10 yards out.

Staveley came with a game plan of their own to hustle and hurry Derby and to their credit it worked. On 25 mins what seemed to be a clear foot just outside the Derby area from a Staveley player was unfortunately missed amongst the crowd of players and from the following injected ball the pivotal Staveley forward found herself alone 12 yards out and slammed the ball high into the roof of the net for a 2-0 lead.

As Derby began to turn the ball over far too often half time couldn’t come quick enough as Derby just created problems for themselves allowing a very strong Staveley midfield to dominate proceedings.

After the half time interval positional changes in the Derby team saw a different approach to the match.

With the distribution now improving Derby began to get back into the match and from their 1st penalty corner normal service was resumed as Anna Neilson scored her 47th of the season to peg Staveley back to 1-2.

But this was a Staveley team that were more determined on the day and with incredible hard work managed to hold out for a 2-1 win ending this incredible run.

Coach Taylor commented:
All good things come to an end but it was disappointing for it to end in the manner it did today. We just didn’t play well for too many periods of the match turning the ball over too often and not playing the way we can. I think the nerves just got to the girls today.

Staveley are a good team and took their chances well but If we had stuck to doing what we have been practicing and implementing over the previous few weeks I know we would have won, but these things happen.

We will just put this behind us and move on to next week’s fixture at home against Woodlands where I am sure we will get back on track.