FTP Under 20s round off a perfect season with silverware
Derby County Women’s Development Squad lifted the Derbyshire FA Cawarden Women's Cup thanks to a towering header from Poppy Hobson that clinched a 1-0 win over Chesterfield Ladies.
The Young Ewes travelled to Impact Arena to face the Spireites off the back of an unbeaten league campaign.
A goalless first half was followed by penalty drama, a brilliant goal from Hobson and a late goal-line scramble that saw Derby lifting the trophy.
The game started aggressively with moments of brilliance from both sides most notably a save from Derby keeper Lola Smith, a shot from distance was parried over the bar as she leapt into the air.
Derby’s best chances of the first half came courtesy of Amy Cotton and Isabel Sheridan respectively.
Cotton’s followed a fantastic display of control from the edge of the box, but her final finish trickled past the post much to the dismay of the forward.
Derby came closest in the first half with a volley from Sheridan, who had the whole goal to aim at, but unfortunately, she could not hit the target.
A few minutes into the second half, Ewes defender Lataya Bojang's foul in the box was deemed to have denied a goalscoring opportunity off the line. She was given her marching orders - going into the sin bin.
But goalkeeper Smith proved to be the hero as she saved the subsequent penalty when she dropped to her right and clutched the ball away - denying the follow-up.
Derby would have to wait until the 69th minute to break the deadlock as a corner gave Hobson the chance to head the ball into the back of the net.
This victory caps off an unbeaten league campaign for the Ewes Female Talent Pathway team, who join the Men’s and Women’s first-team squads in adding silverware to the club’s trophy cabinet this season.