Triumphant Finale for Derby County Ladies

DERBY COUNTY LADIES 5

RADCLIFFE OLYMPIC 0

Derby County Ladies’ league season came to a triumphant finale at Mickleover tonight, with a magnificent 5-0 victory over Radcliffe Olympic clinching the Unison East Midlands Premiership title, and with it promotion to the Midland Combination League for the 2005/6 season.

Even the Derby spectators were nervous as the Rams lined up for their final league game, knowing that only victory would be enough to earn the league title and that visitors Radcliffe Olympic were in an identical situation so would really be up for the game having beaten Derby 3-2 the previous week. The opening minutes saw Derby with a lot of possession, and looking most dangerous from their right as Susie Cunningham got in a number of telling crosses which Deb Ryan and Claire Goater came closest to converting. Radcliffe began to settle and the battle in midfield saw some great challenges to keep it tight. Radcliffe played a long ball over the top looking for striker Nicky Smith but Derby keeper Sarah Wall came off her line quickly to clear the danger. Derby continued to press, with Chris Brewer making a superb run from defence to create havoc up front before the ball fell to Deb Ryan. Ryan made a quality turn and pass to find Katie Willmott in acres of space on the right and she made no mistake, burying the ball in the far corner in the 26^th minute. With half-time approaching Precious Hamilton scored an almost identical goal and with the Rams defence tackling strongly the confidence of the Derby team seemed to grow by the minute.

After the interval Radcliffe seemed to lift their game and put pressure on the Rams to force a series of throws and corners. From one of these keeper Sarah Wall dived brilliantly to palm the ball clear and almost immediately Derby broke upfield. Susie Cunningham made a dazzling run leaving several players behind and finished with a terrific shot to make it 3-0. The game swung from end to end, with Susie Cunningham hitting just wide and then Lorna Abbey making a terrific saving tackle at the other, but by now the Rams were in the driving seat. Emily Jeffery came on as substitute and made some good runs down the left flank before shooting just wide on the turn and then Derby did well to win the ball back from a Radcliffe goal kick and Katie Willmott ran through to volley home goal number four. Continual pressure in the Radcliffe box involving several Derby players eventually saw the ball break loose to Precious Hamilton and she hit a great strike into the roof of the net.

The whole Derby team (and manager Steve Hall !) played a superb game of football tonight, thoroughly deserving the victory, not just for this performance, but for their hard work all season. There were great celebrations at the final whistle as we look forward to the prospect of a higher standard of football in the Midland Combination League next season. After 3 matches in 5 days the team now take a hard-earned break before going for the double by taking on Chaffoteaux in the League Cup final. (Sunday 8^th May at Ilkeston Town FC, 3pm ko)

Unison Premiership				Date: 26th April 2005
	PLD	W	D	L	GF	GA	POINTS
Derby County	20	17	1	2	76	13	52
Sheffield Utd.	20	16	2	2	102	28	50
Radcliffe Olympic	20	16	1	3	74	26	49

**** Junior Open days this year will take place at Derby College , Mackworth on Saturdays 11^th and 18^th June.

U10 and U12 9.45 am till 12.00 U14 and U16 11.45am till 2pm *****

Please note that further information about joining Derby County Ladies and League tables are available on our web-site www.dclfc.co.uk