Early on, the game was rather well balanced, with both teams having possession bursts but failing to put the rival goalie to the test. As the first half went on, Derby started to put more pressure on the hosts, and the Ewes looked for a breakthrough before halftime. Bamford knocked Paris Dalton’s in-swinging free kick out of the Halifax net.
After stints at Birmingham City and in the US collegiate system, Dalton rejoined Derby, the team where she had competed at the Under-10 level, at the beginning of the 2024–2025 season. Kira Rai set up Kate Oakley with a deft chipped pass inside the penalty box, giving the Ewes one of their finest chances of the half. However, the forward missed her first shot and saw her second attempt blocked.
- Derby’s Emelia Wilson went close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half, with two chances in quick succession for the midfielder sailing narrowly over the bar.
Rai also came close to giving the Ewes the lead on the hour mark when her first-time shot rolled narrowly wide, after getting on the end of Dalton’s header.
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