Derby County Women picked up their first home win of the 2023/24 season in the league with a 2-0 success against Stourbridge on Sunday afternoon.
Sam Griffiths’ side registered all three points in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division with a goal in either half.
An own goal from a Stourbridge defender just after the half-hour mark, heading in midfielder Rebecca May’s corner, opened the scoring.
Half-time substitute Isabel Sheridan went on to notch her first-ever senior goal late on with sharp turn and shot from inside the box to seal the victory.
After a 7-1 success against the Glassgirls back in September, it means Stourbridge are the first side the Ewes have done the double against this term so far.
The Ewes will see out January with a trip to Sutton Coldfield Town in the FA Women’s National League Plate Quarter Finals next Sunday (2pm kick-off), before returning to league action when they head West Bromwich Albion on Sunday 4th February (3pm kick-off).
“Pleased With The Win, But We Can Be Better” - Russell
First Team Coach Mark Russell was quick to admit the side’s performance could have been better - but he was pleased to see Derby get three points on the board.
Russell felt the Ewes upped their game in the second half after taking on board some instructions at the interval, while the wind provided testing conditions for both sides throughout the 90 minutes.
Reviewing the game after the final whistle, he said: “We’re pleased to get the three points but, performance wise, we could have been better.
“We made a few poor decisions in the first half and after a chat at half-time, I think the players answered some of the questions we put to them.
“It was a totally different compared to the FA Cup tie against Leicester City last weekend and we challenged the girls to get back on it in this fixture.”
Russell added: “We made a few changes in the game and the substitutes played their part too.
“It was a tough one with the elements and the wind didn’t stop all game, but we got there in the end.”
“A Really Good Moment” - Sheridan
Youngster Isabel Sheridan described scoring her first Ewes goal as ‘a really good moment’.
After being set up by fellow substitute Kira Rai in the closing stages, Sheridan turned smartly and thundered a right foot effort into the back of the net.
Sheridan has been with Derby for over a decade, having come through the youth system, so netting her maiden career goal will be a moment she will never forget.
She said: “It feels really good to get my first goal.
“I have played for Derby County for eleven seasons now, so it is a really good moment to score for the first team.”
She added: “I am really enjoying it at the moment. I feel I am getting more confident and we have a really welcoming team here, which makes it easier.”
“I Am Buzzing To Be Back!” - Rai
Winger Kira Rai was delighted to make an immediate impact on her long-awaited return from injury.
Rai returned to the matchday squad for the first time in ten weeks and wasted no time in making her mark on the pitch in the second half.
She burst away down the left wing late on and cut the ball back to fellow substitute Isabel Sheridan to score Derby’s second goal to seal the win.
She said: “I am buzzing to come back! It has been a long ten weeks, so it was exciting to be back on the pitch.
“To get an assist, and of course a win, made it even better.
“I just want to push on now, get my minutes back up and play full games again.”
On the side’s performance, she added: “Playing in the wind is always tough and it made it really difficult out there.
“It wasn’t our best performance, but we got the win and that is the most important thing.”
