Halifax pegged back by late Derby County penalty
Halifax FC Women were forced to settle for a point after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Derby County Women at The Shay on Sunday.
There was one change to Rob Mitchell’s starting 11 for the fixture, with Emma Doyle coming into the side in place of Maddie Robson as Halifax looked to continue their climb up the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division table.
The game began at a fierce pace, with Halifax showing early intent and immediately pressing high up the pitch. Calls for a penalty came within the opening exchanges as the hosts looked aggressive and determined to make a statement.
Despite the hosts’ bright start, it was Derby who struck first. An open breakaway move saw Olivia Edwards slip through on goal, stretching to reach the ball on the right before coolly guiding it past Maddie Crosbie with the outside of her boot to give the visitors an early lead.
Halifax responded positively and almost found an equaliser through Phoebe Hollin. The winger broke away down the left, dancing past a Derby defender with confidence, but her effort couldn’t find the back of the net.
It was an end-to-end first half, with Hollin causing constant problems for the Derby defence but it was the visitors who held their narrow advantage at the break, leading 1-0 at half-time.
The second half began with Halifax continuing to dominate possession and push forward.
Their pressure finally paid off just after the hour mark when Hollin stepped up for a free kick on the left-hand side, just outside the area.
With a clever, low strike curling around the wall, she caught the goalkeeper off guard and found the near side of the net to bring Halifax level at 1-1, a deserved reward for her lively performance.
Halifax’s momentum continued to build, and they grabbed what looked to be the winning goal following an intense counter-attack. Substitute Maddie Norton burst through with pace, calmly lifting the ball over the advancing keeper as she rushed off her line.
The composed finish capped a dominant spell for the hosts, who looked in control as the game entered its closing stages.
However, Halifax were left frustrated late on when Derby were awarded a penalty deep into the second half. After Macy Settle and Annabelle Cass were judged to have sandwiched substitute Georgia Stevens inside the box, the referee pointed to the spot.
Derby converted from 12 yards, levelling the match in the final moments before the full-time whistle.
Head coach Rob Mitchell felt his side deserved more from the contest, saying: “We were definitely the better team with more fight and hunger than our opponents, and we were unlucky not to take all three points after the 90 minutes.”
The result sees Halifax move up to eighth in the table, climbing above Hull City on goal difference.