Burton Albion bowed out of the FA Women's National League Cup following a 7-0 defeat to Derby County.
Two goals each from Amy Sims, Ellie Gilliat and Precious Hamilton gave the Rams a dominant advantage before Jade Formaston’s long-range effort completed the rout.
Burton worked extremely hard in defence and restricted Derby for large parts of the game, and can take positives from their display.
Derby started quickly and nearly broke the deadlock early on when Alice Langstone managed to tip away a shot from Olivia Edwards.
Yet, the Brewers were working hard defensively to not allow Derby to have a free shot at goal, reducing the Rams to long range efforts in the opening 15 minutes.
Unfortunately, Derby’s pressure on the Burton defence eventually told, with Sims supplying Hamilton in the box. The striker worked herself some space in the area before finding the top corner with an emphatic finish.
The second for the home side came in quite fortunate fashion. After Megan Tinsley had rattled the crossbar with a fantastic strike, the ball fell to Hamilton. Langstone initially made a good save to deny her, but the loose ball fell to Sims who had the simple task of finishing into an empty net.
Despite Derby’s constant flow of attack, the Brewers came inches away from pulling a goal back when Charlotte Jarvis headed narrowly over the crossbar from a corner kick.
The hosts would make it three just before half-time, however, as Kira Rai took the ball to the by-line before cutting it back for Gilliat to apply the finish.
Following the break, the Rams raced out the blocks speedily and made it four just two minutes into the second period. Bolu Fisher did well down the right to whip a cross straight to Gilliat, who hooked a finish past Langstone.
Derby were now well and truly in their groove, and it was five soon after. Rai picked out a precise pass to Sims on the edge of the area, and the full-back made no mistake in smashing a shot into the top left corner.
With Gilliat and Sims both bagging two, Hamilton also struck for the second time in the 53rd minute. Sims showed good skill down the right to escape the attentions of her marker before looping a delivery straight onto the head of Hamilton, who glanced her effort past Langstone.
Despite the flurry of goals to start the half, Burton did well to regroup and repel wave after wave of attack from the home side.
The resistance was broken once again after 75 minutes though when Formaston’s long-range effort sneaked inside Langstone’s near post to make it seven for the Ewe Rams.
A subsequent long-range effort from Gilliat was, however, superbly dealt with by Langstone as the Brewers’ goalkeeper tipped the ball onto the post.
Langstone was called into action seconds later, and once again denied the home side with an acrobatic save to deny Hamilton her hat-trick.
Ultimately, the Brewers managed to keep the home side out for the remainder of the match.
Picture by Terri Lee Photography. Used with kind permission of Derby County Women FC.