Northampton TownWomen were defeated at home to Derby County in the FA Women’s National League Plate second round on Sunday afternoon.
Kim Farrow and Zoe Boote scored the Cobblers’ goals as their FAWNL Northern Premier Division opponents progressed to the quarter-finals.
Joint-managers Josh Oldfield and Liam Williams made one change to the side that came out on top in a 12-goal thriller against West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division outfit Coventry Sphinx in the Women’s FA Cup third qualifying round last week, as Laila Channell replaced Bianca Luttman in the starting line up.
Full-time outfit Derby controlled possession in the first half, and they opened the scoring early on when Kira Rai placed a first-time finish across goal.
The Cobblers defended well and took their opportunity to equalise when it came, Farrow flicking Mia Richards’ inswinging cross past the diving Sarah Morgan on the half-an-hour mark.
But Derby captain Amy Sims lifted an effort home from a tight angle to restore her side’s lead on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors made three substitutions at the break, and one of those changes, Yasmin Mosby, extended her team’s advantage within two minutes of coming off the bench when she curled into the far corner from just inside the area.
A corner was cleared to Megan Tinsley who volleyed home from the edge of the box and Eleanor Ashton found the top corner soon after to secure Derby’s place in the next round going into the final quarter-of-an-hour.
The Cobblers kept pushing until the final whistle, and they created a great chance to reduce the deficit late on as sub Dicks sprinted onto a loose back-pass, rounded Morgan and had a lob headed off the line. Jade Bell miscued her volleyed follow-up and Derby were able to clear.
There was still time for the hosts to score a consolation, another sub, Rhea Patel, making an instant impact by crossing for captain Boote who finished on the turn.
The Cobblers return to FAWNL Division One Midlands action at home to Leek Town next week. Bell scored a brace whilst Richards, Boote and Dicks netted the other goals in a 5-0 win when the sides met in the FAWNL Plate first round at the beginning of October.
Sunday’s fixture at Fernie Fields Sports Ground will kick-off at 2pm. Season tickets are valid, whilst individual match tickets are available at ntfcdirect.co.uk and on the gate.
Cobblers: Katie McLean, Paige Ridley, TJ Warren, Vicky Barrett, Zoe Boote, Annie Villamartin, Fay Noble, Mia Richards, Laila Channell, Jade Bell, Kim Farrow
Substitutes: Bianca Luttman, Rhea Patel, Alex Dicks