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Sun 16 Aug - Posted in Breaking News Time to read: 3mins Derby County Women were consigned to a 5-1 defeat by Liverpool Feds on the opening day of the FA WNL Northern Premier Division season. Dolcie O’Connor, who made her second debut for the club after returning in the summer, got on the scoresheet just before half-time to cancel out Georgia Walters’ 26th-minute wonder strike. Sam Griffiths’ side put in a strong first-half display to see the game 1-1 at half-time, but a clinical showing from Feds in the second period punished the Ewes, with three goals in the space of 17 minutes putting the hosts out of sight, before a late fifth in the final minutes. The Ewes also saw debuts for Sam Sharrocks, Maddie Norton and Eleanor Ashton from the start, while Tamsin Russell came on from the bench. Debutant Norton looked to have an immediate impact, running in behind the Feds backline in the opening exchanges. The forwards’ attempts nearly bore fruit in the eighth minute when a dash in behind forced a defensive mix-up, as the ball dropped to her feet to shoot, but it was blocked before Feds goalkeeper Naoisha McAloon cleared her lines. The hosts took the lead against the run of play in the 27th minute when Walters arrowed in a laser strike from 25 yards, which flew over the top of goalkeeper Lucy Jones and into the back of the net. An immediate response was nearly provided by Joyce's close-range header from a corner kick four minutes later, but McAloon saved. It was a tale of impressive goalkeeping down the other end too, as Jones made a flying stop to tip over Emma Johnson’s attempt. Derby made it 1-1 in some fashion in the 41st minute. An excellent body feint from Norton saw her beat her defender down the left flank before playing O’Connor in one-on-one with the goalkeeper to score. A breakaway move in the second half saw Johnson blast the ball into the back of the net from inside the box in the 49th minute. Brady extended the lead to 3-1 when she found space to hit hard and low on the edge of the box from a corner kick. Ashton looked to provide an immediate response when she found the net for Derby minutes later but was judged offside. Another goal from long range at the second phase of a corner extended the scoring further when Seren Carrington looped the ball over a crowded box and into the back of the net in the 66th minute. Derby kept pushing to reduce the deficit as substitutes Layla Kennerley and Minnie Wilson were denied. Industrious running from Kennerley found a tight angle to strike just wide of the near post in the 78th minute before Wilson dribbled towards goal but was unbalanced as the power was taken out of her shot a minute later. Feds dealt a final blow in added time as Derby stretched further to push for a goal, and the hosts took advantage of an error in defence with Madison Bouggess bearing down on goal and finishing. Derby County: Jones (GK), Melrose (Russell 59), Mason, Donnison (Wilson 74), Sparkes, Sharrocks (Stevens 85), Joyce, Ashton, Norton (Stevens 80), May, O’Connor (Kennerley 59). Substitutes: Naismith (GK), Drake. The Ewes will look to bounce back when they play on home soil at the Vibrant Doors Arena in Mickleover on Sunday 23rd August, welcoming Rugby Borough (2pm kick-off). Walton Hall Park