Derby County climbed to third place in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division, after Andi Bell scored the only goal of the game at Sheffield FC on Thursday evening.
The tenth-placed hosts went close a couple of times early on from distance, as Jade Butcher’s free kick dropped onto the roof of the net and Ellie Russell’s effort brushed the side netting, before Hannah Ward had the ball in the net for Derby but play was brought back for a foul in the build-up.
Lisa Giampalma’s strong shot brought a good save from Rams’ goalkeeper Sarah Morgan but just before the half-hour, the home side conceded possession and Jodie Redgrave fed the ball through to Bell to finish.
After the break, Holly Housley shot straight at Morgan and Jess Heald volley just wide, while at the other end Redgrave forced a good save by Elizabeth Hobson.
Megan Tinsley’s long-range strike was only just over the County crossbar, Ward saw her shot tipped over by Hobson as the Rams looked to seal the points.
Butcher headed a Molly Johnson corner wide of the upright as the home side failed to find an equaliser.
