Derby County Women were 2-1 winners at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday as they hosted West Bromwich Albion Women in the National League Northern Premier Division.
Olivia Rabjohn gave the Baggies and early lead but goals from Chené Muir and Kira Rai in the second half claimed all three points for the Ewes.
The visitors bagged the first goal of the game just three minutes in when Phoebe Warner played in Rabjohn, who dragged her low shot across Lucy Jones in the Ewes net and into the bottom right corner.
Derby’s best chance of the first 45 minutes came as they worked the ball from right to left which allowed Emelia Wilson to slide in Millie Jenkins, but the defender put her effort wide.
West Brom put the ball in the back of the net once more through Ali Miller after Simran Jhamat crossed in from the right but the linesman adjudged Jhamat’s assist to have gone out of play.
Derby started the second half well and quickly got back level. A beautifully weighted ball from Lara Miller released substitute Amy Cotton down the right flank. Cotton put a low cross into the box which was met by an unmarked Muir, who took a touch before tapping the ball over the line.
Muir joined Sam Griffiths’ ranks in the summer having played for Championship side Sheffield United last season and has scored twice in three appearances this term so far.
The Baggies had an opportunity to reclaim the lead through Ella Haughey. The substitute brought down a lofted ball and lined up to shoot but Jones was quick off her line and smothered the danger.
Derby went on to win the game late on as West Brom failed to clear their lines from a free-kick, the ball bounced around in the box and fell into the path of Rai to head home.
Rai joined the club at Under-10s level and, having come through the youth ranks, she made her 100th senior appearance in midweek in the home 2-1 victory over Loughborough Lightning in the League Cup Determining Round.
Sam Griffiths’ side will take a trip up to Yorkshire for their next league outing as they face Halifax FC next Sunday (2pm).
Derby County Women: Jones (GK), Steggles, Jackson, Burt (Cotton 46), McGowan (Rai 46), Wilson, Joyce (C), Muir (Oakley 65), Jenkins, Dalton, Miller (Meadows 86).
Unused Substitutes: Morgan (GK), Hilliard, Ward.
West Bromwich Albion Women: Miller (GK), Brown, George (C), Orthodoxou (Oakley 61), Reynolds, Green, Rabjohn (Haughey), Miller (Watkins 61), Warner (Mahmood 82), Jhamat (Rhodes-Andrews 82), Evans.
Unused Substitutes: Turner (GK), May.
Manager Sam Griffiths offered her reaction to the Ewes' second win of the league campaign shortly after the final whistle.
Midfielder Paris Dalton, one of a number of new signings in the squad, also gave her verdict to the victory on home turf.
Words: Hannah Walker.
