Derby County Women Preview: Newcastle United (H)

Derby County Women will return to action on home turf after back-to-back away fixtures when they host title favourites Newcastle United at the Don Amott Arena on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off).

dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you will need to know ahead of the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division fixture.

Manager's Thoughts...

Manager Sam Griffiths is calling on her side to ensure they are ready to go from the off against one of the division's big-hitters.

She was unhappy with the Ewes' first half showing in their 7-1 hammering of Stourbridge last weekend and made her feelings clear after the final whistle despite seeing her side bounce back from a goal behind at the break to score seven times without reply.

The win ended a run of three straight defeats to start the campaign and Griffiths is eager to see more of the side that turned on the style in the second half in the West Midlands on a regular basis.

Griffiths said: “I know what this group can do and they are a great set of girls.

“We definitely want to be the team that turned up in the second half, not the first half, at Stourbridge.

“It’s good we’ve got a few different formations in our back pocket that we can turn to if needed. That can work around the opposition we face and how we can best exploit their weaknesses.”

From The Dressing Room...

Defender Maria Timms says every member of the Derby squad is relishing the prospect of taking on the league's title favourites.

Timms marked her first league start for the Ewes with a fine performance and a goal in last weekend's 7-1 hammering of Stourbridge.

After getting their first win of the campaign on the board, she knows a big performance is required against the Magpies.

Timms said: “The win at Stourbridge was really important for us and especially going into the game against Newcastle.

“We’ll be up for it and up for a fight; we know we’ll have to work hard if we’re to get a win.”

The Season So Far...

Derby County Women picked up their first win of the 2023/24 season with a 7-1 rout of Stourbridge on the road last Sunday to end a run of three straight losses in all competitions to start the campaign.

Sam Griffiths’ side stormed back from 1-0 down at the break to run out convincing winners thanks to goals from Charlotte Steggles, Maria Timms, Amy Sims (2), Eleanor Ashton (2) and Emelia Wilson.

That victory came off the back of a 3-2 loss at Liverpool Feds seven days previously, as well as a 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on home turf on the opening day of the campaign. The Ewes also bowed out of the League Cup at the Determining Round stage with a 4-2 home loss against West Bromwich Albion last month.

Newcastle United Women, meanwhile, have won their two league games so far. Their season started with a 4-0 success at AFC Fylde and followed that result up with a 3-1 home success against Stoke City last weekend. They also progressed to the First Round of the League Cup with a 3-2 home win over Burnley at the Determining Round stage.