The ladies travelled to Derby for their longest away trip of the season. Derby are pushing for the title, and after the defeat to Manchester, Bootham could still have a big say in who wins the league. It was another small squad for Coach Chris to choose from but with a welcome return for Jess Baker.

Bootham were represented by:

Ellie Whittaker (C), Heather Smith, Natasha Eustance, Jess Baker, Ava Worthy, Lauryn Zareba (GK), Lucy Hudson, Eleanor Walker, and Ruby Shaw.

1st Half

Bootham started slowly and looked sluggish on the ball and were struggling to break the Derby press. Derby’s pressure was finally rewarded when they took the lead. Bootham hit back and chances for Shaw and Hudson went begging. Derby upped the pressure and scored twice more before Bootham started to find their feet. Too many long and inaccurate passes saw Bootham struggle to test the Derby goalkeeper. Further goals from Derby saw them extend their lead. Just before the break, good work from Eustance saw her shot come back off the post and Smith fired over from close range, Bootham best chance of the half.

Half Time: Derby 6 – Bootham 0

2nd Half

Coach Chris demanded a response and got one almost immediately. Eustance pinched the ball from the Derby player before calmly rolling it between the goalkeeper legs. Almost immediately good work from Shaw saw her find Whittaker in the D for a simple tap in. Just as Bootham were looking to get right back in the game, Derby hit them 3 times on the break to pull away again. Late on great work from Smith found Worthy with an inch perfect pass to score from close range. Derby had the last word and ran out comfortable winners.

Full Time: Derby 10 – Bootham 3

A very dejected Coach Chris spoke to us after the game, he said, ‘Sorry but that was unacceptable, that is not what we are about as a club. The first half was way below what we are used to delivering and I have no explanation as to why. We just didn’t turn up for the first 15 minutes, we let them dictate the game and once again individual errors cost is. Players must learn from their mistakes and start to move on, we can’t keep revisiting the same issues time and time again. The frustration is in training the ladies look very good, composed, patient and able to execute the game plan we talk about. But for whatever reason it just isn’t happening on the court now.’

He went on to say, ‘I am concerned that the season will just fade away to nothing. We have 2 league games and a cup game to come in the next 6 weeks, and I really want to finish on a high with 3 wins. I will ask the players to watch the game back, analyse what they did well and more important what they can do better next time. Two games ago we were in with a chance of winning the league, but two below par performances have put paid to that notion. Derby had more desire and fight in them today, and simply put, the best team won.‘

He finished by saying, ‘We have the National Plate quarter final to look forward to at the end of the month, and there will be a lot of hard work done between now and then. I know these players are hurting, they are disappointed in themselves, and will want to show our home crowd they are a good team and will do everything they can to progress into the next round of the cup. Last year’s cup quarter final was a fantastic atmosphere with well over a 100 people watching. We need that kind of support again we need all our supporters to come out and roar the lady’s home.’

Click here to see highlights from the game

Players of The Match as picked by Coach Chris – Heather Smith – I am so pleased at the way Heather has started her futsal journey. She has made the progression from academy to national league without any issues and I know there is still so much more to come. She will be kicking herself she didn’t score today, but overall a very composed and assured performance.

Thank you to Paul Worthy for the pictures.