James Lee reports from Kedleston Road
Derby University Women’s futsal firsts took top spot with a late winner over Nottingham University Women’s futsal firsts – and now the BUCS Women’s Premier North title will be decided in Friday’s next meeting.
England player Ella Brennan twice equalised for Derby in a frenetic opening half before Jess Smithurst bagged the last-gasp winner that cost Notts first place with two minutes to go.
The opening goal of the game came for Notts in the fifth minute as Amelia Penfold counter-attacked from a Derby corner and slotted her shot into the bottom corner.
Derby equalised in the eighth minute as Brennan shot from outside the box to deceive Notts goalkeeper Hollee Hercik.
Notts retook the lead in the 19th minute as Penfold got her second of the game after being played through by Mia Solorio-Smith.
Derby levelled the game seconds before half-time as Brennan converted a rebound after a good save by Hercik.
The second half got off to a slow start until the 33rd minute as Hercik made a couple of good saves on the floor as the ball was scrambled around the Notts box.
Derby took the lead two minutes from time when Smithurst capitalised after a block by Auburn Burnett fell to her feet and she slotted it in.
