Derby County Women secured another win on the road as they beat AFC Fylde Women 4-0 at Kellamergh Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Ewes had four different goalscorers in their away fixture in the North West. Rebecca May and Amy Sims both bagged for the second away game in a row, while Emelia Wilson and Kira Rai also got on the scoresheet.
Derby had a narrow escape early on as Lily Murphy drove down the left flank for the home side. The Coasters’ winger unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, but her effort hit the crossbar.
Moments later, Derby took the lead. May received the ball down the other end and, from 25 yards out, tried her luck. The summer signing from Manchester United saw her shot also rattle the crossbar – but the ball bounced down and into the back of the net to put the Ewes a goal ahead and give May her third goal in five appearances for Derby, all of which have been impressive long-range efforts.
The first half proved to be a competitive contest, but Sam Griffiths’ side held out well as the home side asked questions of them and went in with the lead at the break.
However, the away side kept the hosts quiet during the second 45 minutes as they scored three more times without reply.
It only took four minutes of the second half for Sims to double the Ewes’ lead. May’s corner found the captain, whose looping header found the back of the net.
Wilson put Derby 3-0 up as the clock hit 70 minutes as she took advantage of a miskick by Fylde goalkeeper Liz Craven with a thunderous strike from 30 yards out.
Derby had the chance to secure their fourth goal five minutes before the end of normal time after Jessica Camwell was fouled inside the area. Charlotte Steggles stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick but sent the chance of doubling her goal tally for the season over the bar.
The Ewes eventually scored their fourth goal in added time through substitute Kira Rai. The winger found herself in space out wide and used it to drive herself into the box, beating her opposite number and slotting the ball home.
Rai has been with Derby since joining the club at Under-10s level and is now off the mark for the current campaign.
With a second successive victory under their belts following last weekend’s 4-0 success at Huddersfield Town, Derby side sit sixth in the league table, equal on points with local rivals Nottingham Forest.
The Ewes hope to keep their good form going as they head to Northampton Town on Sunday 29th October (2pm) for the Second Round of the FA Women’s National League Plate.
Derby County Women: Draper, Sims (C), Tinsley, Steggles (Ward 89), Jackson, Wilson (Sutherland 80), Joyce, Mosby (Rai 72), Ashton (Camwell 72), Jenkins (Timms 72), May.
Words: Hannah Walker
Images: John Shirras