Leilani Lovell starred as Derby County Reserves beat AFC Bournemouth Reserves on penalties to lift the FA Women’s National League Reserve Cup after a 1-1 draw at St. George’s Park.
Derby saw their lead pegged back in the 83rd minute but Ewes goalkeeper Lovell proved the hero as her penalty save sealed a 4-3 victory in the shootout for
Derby to ensure the trophy would head back to the East Midlands.
In the FA WNL Reserve Plate final, it was Stockport County Reserves who held their nerve in the shootout to take silverware, after drawing 1-1 with Stoke City Reserves at full time.
Having seen their lead cancelled out in normal time, Stockport won 3-2 in the shootout to claim the second trophy on offer of the day.
The Ewes’ seal the Cup
Following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, it was a composed display in the shootout that saw Derby County lift the FA WNL Reserve Cup at St. George’s Park.
The Ewes took the lead after 18 minutes as Mia Wheeler latched onto the end of Maya Williams’ low cross in the centre of the box to fire home from close range.
While they managed to protect that advantage for most of the match, Bournemouth seized on a lapse of concentration in the 83rd minute as Elin Starck struck to put the Cherries back in contention.
CHAMPIONS. 🏆#EWES #COYE pic.twitter.com/GbRf0I6QR0
— Derby County Women (@DCFCWomen) April 12, 2025
It was a goal that took the encounter to penalties where Lovell stepped up to play the hero.
The Derby ‘keeper saved the crucial sudden-death spot kick to clinch the FA WNL Reserve Cup trophy for her side.
Following the win, Derby County captain Darcy Dickens reflected: “I’m absolutely buzzing. There’s no better feeling than winning. The whole season this has been our aim – to come here and win it so I’m buzzing.
“We got the early goal which is what we set out to do. In the last few minutes we had a bit of a shaky 10 minutes and obviously we conceded.
“But, at the end of the day, we’ve got the game done and we’ve won it.”
Stockport secure silverware
Stockport County demonstrated their composure as they won on penalties to become FA WNL Reserve Plate champions after drawing 1-1 in normal time.
The Greater Manchester outfit took the lead after 35 minutes when Darcy Bancroft turned home a corner to give her side the advantage at the break.
But Stoke City would find their way back into the match late on, equalising in the 83rd minute.
Eva Henshall broke clear of the Stockport defence before showing composure to strike across goal and into the bottom corner to send the game to penalties.
Once again, goalkeeping prowess was on display as four of the spot-kicks were kept out by saves.
But Millie Tutton gave the Stoke ‘keeper no chance with Stockport’s fifth of the shootout as she placed the ball low into the bottom right corner to clinch the Reserve Plate title for her side.
Stockport County captain Tash Hanks was among the penalty scorers that got them over the line but found herself in unfamiliar territory.
“I was so nervous. One of the players said to me there will be one penalty in your life that you’ll take and I’m not usually on penalties so I thought this will be the one,” she explained.
“I’m just so proud of the girls. We worked our absolute socks off right to the end. Everyone played a part today and I’m really, really proud of the girl.
“To concede with 10 minutes to go it’s always a hard one to get up from but I’m just so proud that we did. Everyone that was involved in the penalties did their absolute best.”
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