Cambridge United Women fell short in the FA Women’s National League Plate Final vs a strong Derby County team.
The U’s were playing in the first national cup final in their history, having defeated Barnsley women 3-2 in the semi-final. The location for the game was Broadhurst Park, home of FC United of Manchester.
Cambridge were positive from the off, compact in the middle and settling into the game. It was Derby who made the faster start, carving out some half chances that were defended well by the U’s back line.
Both sides were looking to find space and patiently building play in the hope of creating opportunities in the first 25 minutes.
It was Derby however who would make the breakthrough with 30 minutes gone. Lauren Rouse judged to have handled the ball while on the floor resulting in a penalty, Webb unfortunately diving the opposite way to Eleanor Ashton’s strike.
The U’s would come close from a corner, Marden’s cross nearly beating the keeper a the far post and Ruth Fox’s long range bullet narrowly the wrong side of the post.
Added time in the first half came and Derby made it 2-0 when the ball rebounded to their top scorer Amy Sims 12 yards out.
The U’s came out in the second half fighting, creating more space for each other and keeping Derby quiet. Abbie Jackson went close getting on the end of a Cheale-Ferris free kick and multiple Marden corners had to be tipped by the keeper.
Manager Darren would make his first change with 50 minutes gone, Simmons replaced by Harley-Jean Simpson in attack. Derby had also made some substitutions due to injury prior to this. Unfortunately Simpson would have to be replaced herself due to a head injury with a little under 10 minutes to go, club captain Gisela Otten coming on for the final push.
Derby did fight regain control of the ball midway through the half and turned that into a third goal when Joyce’s long range effort caught Webb off her line to make it 3-0 with little time remaining.
Despite the loss Darren Marjoram was full of praise for his team and the fight they showed not just in the final, but across the whole season. Multiple member of the Derby contingent were quick to acknowledge the positive manner in which the U’s carried themselves on the day, something they should all be proud of.
The U’s now turn their attention back to the league, with 2 games remaining and returning to St Neots on Sunday 28th April to welcome Ashford Town.
Lineups:
Cambridge United: Webb (GK), Rouse, Kosky, Stojko-Down, Fox, Marden (Gillies 87’), Edgar, Jackson, Cobb, Cheale-Ferris, Simmons (Simpson 50’ - Otten 85')
Unused Subs: Marjoram
Derby County: Morgan (GK), Sims, Steggles, Jackson (Shepherd 92'), Wilson, Joyce, Ward, Ashton (Sheridan 76'), Jenkins, Rai (Meadows 67'), May (Rhodes-Andrews 44')
Unused Subs: Draper