Having played the cup game away at Leicester City Ladies only a month earlier Derby knew exactly what to expect from the match and were geared up accordingly. With Nikki Croxall unavailable it meant that Hannah Dinnigan donned the gloves, a role she's more than capable of filling. With Sophie Griffiths also unavailable it meant a start for Kayley Harris after her sub appearances having come back from injury.

The game was scrappy to start with, a winding blowing diagonally across the pitch having some impact, but neither side were really able to get hold of the game. Derby however took the lead on 21 mins when Dinnigan's long goal kick sailed over the defenders heads for Sally Butterfield to run on to and stroke home past the keeper, 1-0.

Leicester looked to hit back shortly later when the strong no.14 wasn't closed down and her shot forced a good save out of Dinnigan. Butterfield looked to have double the lead only minutes later after being released by Abbie Clarke, but saw her shot curl just wide. Derby were looking the more likely to score but their final ball was too often over hit, with no-one really consistently appreciating this and adjusting accordingly.

A half time lead of 1-0 was a pleasing one but a reminder from the management that they were in the same position only weeks ago and threw it away!

The words were probably still ringing in their ears when a debatable free kick was given 30 yards out. The shot was hit, off the underside of the bar and bounced down over the line back up in to the net. 1-1 and a visible lift for the hosts. Only a minute later it was 2-1! An awful clearance by the panicking defender was hit straight across the edge of the Rams box, the striker accepting the gift and slid the ball home. Derby tried to lift themselves and get back at the opponents but never really looked convinced they would get back in to it. The no.9 who had played well in midfield in the previous contest was running the defence ragged, being allowed far too much time and space. Yes a quick player to handle but the defenders instead of getting tight stayed too far off and gave her too much respect. 

On 73 mins the game was effectively over as history repeated itself and Derby blew a goal lead to lose it 3-1 as the sub striker was again afforded the time and space to finish. A very disappointing end to the game.

With just the game to go on Sunday against Loughborough Students Derby must now win in order to try and put pressure on the surrounding teams. It's strongly looking like a 6th or 7th place will be attained rather than the 3rd/4th that had been an achievable option only weeks earlier. So let's make sure we finish the season on a high!

Derby welcomed Northampton looking to avenge the away defeat having given three early goals to the hosts, eventually losing 3-2. With only one change to the team, Jessica Sippits replacing Joanne Sheerin in defence, Jo being very unfortunate after an excellent performance in the previous match, however the management selecting the side with one eye on the oppositions strengths. Amy Pearce replaced the holidaying Amy Buxton on the bench, whilst Kerry Brentnall was back to fitness to give a healthy squad of sixteen players.

The pitch was quite sticky in patches and not exactly the best surface conducive to elegant football however Derby tried to play through their midfield when possible early on. Much of the focus in the opening period was down the left with Hannah Dinnigan combining with Sally Butterfield to create some openings which were closed down at the last second. The first real sign of danger came on the half hour mark when Leanne Burns went on a jinking run in to box with the keeper making an excellent save to deny her what would've been a fantastic goal. The Rams didn't have to wait long though. 

On 33mins Abbie Clarke won possession, played it simply to Burns who picked out the run of Butterfield who chased down towards the keeper before calmly stroking the ball past her, 1-0!  

Only 4 mins later Derby forced a corner from the right. Dinnigan swung it in, the ball being headed up rather than clear. Amanda Nicholas then amazed us all with an acrobatic overhead kick in to the far corner (complaints of the sciatica disappearing!?), 2-0!

Derby took time to recover from the shock of this and it took until just before half time for it to be 3-0. After a foray down the left Derby opened up the play with Dinnigan spraying it out to Clarke, her cross finding Butterfield at the far post who returned the ball back across for Emily Maskrey to convert.

A half time lead of 3-0 was exactly what the rams deserved and it had been a very good first half performance.

The second half was less of a spectacle as Derby didn't really take the game on as they should have done. Whilst continuing to press, the tempo had gone from the first half and that meant fewer chances being created, the keeper making some good saves from those that came.

Dinnigan, after working her socks off, made way for Kayley Harris to continue her comeback from injury just after the hour mark. Susan Daybell & Amy Pearce coming on later in the game for valuable game time.

Northampton pulled one back with 83 mins on the clock, no-one dealt with the ball on the edge of the box with any authority and the ball fell to the striker to find the roof of the net. 3-1. Derby could've had some nervous moments from then on but instead scored again on 88mins. Butterfield playing Maskrey through who steered home the ball past the onrushing keeper, 4-1!

A deserved victory which takes the side up to 4th in the table. Although having played a few more games, it's up to the Rams to put the points on the board in the final 3 games to end the season on a high and ensure as high a placing as possible. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to the Northampton player who suffered what was believed to be a broken collar bone.