By Jack Bryan
They were team-mates as Derby women’s firsts beat Worcester 3-1, but Ella Hilliard and Emily Brett will soon be opponents.
Hilliard and Brett represent Derby County and Sporting Khalsa respectively in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division, in which their clubs meet this weekend.
The duo impressed for Derby’s women’s firsts at home to Worcester firsts in the BUCS Midlands League 2B.
They even linked up for Derby’s second goal, Hilliard looping a cross in from the left, which Brett nodded past Worcester goalkeeper Harley Savage.
If on-pitch synergy was not enough, the team’s bond was evident post-match at Kedleston Road, with Brett keen to stress the importance of every player.
She said:“I think everyone’s important on the pitch.
“I thought our defenders were quality today, I thought they kept the ball really well, moving along the backline and keeping us in control.”
Hilliard was also quick to praise those alongside her in the backline.
She said: “Throughout the whole 90 minutes everyone was really disciplined defensively.”
This mentality seemingly translates to good performances.
Derby dominated the game on a cold afternoon to maintain their 100 per cent record.
After an intense first half, which also saw a goal for Ella Brennan, the hosts lowered the tempo following an early second half goal apiece.
It was a performance to be pleased with, a sentiment which Brett echoed.
She said: “I thought we were quite good to be fair, we pressed well, they couldn’t get in our half to be honest.
“It felt like a good game, it was just a bit ratty in the second half I thought, because we were in control we kind of sat off them a bit and kind of relaxed.”
At the Don Amott Arena ninth-place Derby County will be favourites against an 11th-place Sporting Khalsa side they beat 4-0 in August.
Speaking ahead of the match in Mickleover, Brett said: “It’s always nice seeing a friend on the pitch, but when the whistle blows, you’re not friends anymore!
“We always seem to have a good laugh, and there might be a dirty tackle or two, but there’ll always be a handshake by the end of it.”
Whoever wins on Sunday, it appears that their relationship as teammates will prevail, with the Derby women’s firsts in cup action on Wednesday.
