Ella Barber reports
Derby County Women’s captain Amy Sims admitted “complacency and game management” allowed the opposition back into the game, as the Ewes secured a 4-3 win over Liverpool Feds in their final home game of the FA Women’s National League season.
Goals from Kira Rai, Emelia Wilson, Amy Sims and Eleanor Ashton were enough to seal the victory for Derby in their first home game since their FA Women’s National League Plate triumph, despite a Beth Donoghue hat-trick restoring hope for the away side.
It looked as though Derby were in cruise control with a 4-0 lead midway through the second half, however, the Ewes allowed Liverpool Feds back into the game, conceding three goals in a nervy finish to the game.
Sims praised her side’s performance in the opening 60 minutes, claiming Derby were “in control” of the first half before they “came out flying” after half-time.
However, the striker said she was “disappointed to concede the three goals” as complacency crept in at the Don Amott Arena.
She said: “Sometimes when you’re 4-0 up you’ve got players trying to do things that they wouldn’t normally do and not sticking to their principles.
“I think even though we’re 4-0 up it’s about taking control of the game and keeping the ball. Just a bit of complacency and game management cost us the three goals.”
As well as expressing her disappointment with the goals Derby conceded, Sims also felt the Ewes could have scored more to put the game to bed.
“When you think of it as a 4-3 win it makes it sound a lot closer than it probably should have been, we should have taken our chances a lot more,” she admitted.
Despite the Ewes failing to take their chances at times, Sims was able to convert her 20th goal of the season with a precise finish before being withdrawn early in the second half with a knock.
On the injury, Sims said: “It was just a little knock from the first half but I’ll be absolutely fine for Sunday I’ll make sure of that,” which will come as a relief for Derby fans ahead of next Sunday’s tough trip to take on 2nd place Burnley at Turf Moor.
Looking ahead to next Sunday’s fixture, Sims said her side has a “big week of training” ahead.
The 25-year-old also claimed her team will need to go to Turf Moor with an “underdog mentality” to “try and get anything out of the game we can.”
The Ewes are set to receive outstanding support once again away at Burnley next weekend. Both sides will be hoping for a large crowd at the 21,000-capacity stadium, to see out the 2023/24 campaign in positive fashion.
Sims thanked the fans for their support all season: “Throughout the whole season they’ve been incredible, we really do hear them on the pitch supporting us.
“They come back every week even when we perhaps haven’t put in the performances that we should have, so for sticking with us a massive thank you and hopefully see you all next year.”
But first, the Ewes will be hoping their superb away support can spur them on to avenge their 2-0 home defeat to the Clarets back in March, in what is set to be a thrilling final game of the season at Turf Moor.
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