Samuel Moore reports from Kedleston Road
Emily Brett’s hat-trick enabled Derby Women to fend off a huge Durham comeback attempt to send them into the BUCS Futsal Trophy final.
Derby controlled the game early on, securing a 2-1 lead within the first five minutes and applying relentless pressure, with more goals seemingly on the way.
This would come true when captain Eleanor Humphrey skilfully got past a defender on the sideline before slotting the ball into the opposite corner in the 8th minute, extending Derby’s lead to 3-1.
Five minutes later, Brett would add to the score sheet with her weaker right foot, extending Derby’s advantage even more to 4-1.
Durham, however, regrouped after conceding, creating a lot of big chances, and even hit the post after 15 minutes. One of these opportunities finally materialised in the 17th minute, narrowing the gap to 4-2 by halftime.
As Durham entered the second half with momentum, Derby quickly shut them down when Brett grabbed her second just a minute into the new half.
Durham, though, would once again fight back, as they struck twice within a minute, making the goal margin only one goal before converting a 27th-minute free kick to equalise, completing their comeback.
Momentum shifted, and Derby struggled to create clear-cut chances until, seemingly out of nowhere, they crafted an attack that Brett would finish, completing her hat trick and making the scoreline 6-5 with eight minutes remaining.
Both teams saw few opportunities until Durham narrowly missed a chance inside the box with just 38 seconds left. In the dying moments, Durham scrambled for an equaliser but were not able to grab a last-gasp lifeline.
Derby will now set their sights on the cup final, with only one game now separating them from silverware.
