Derby County Women returned to winning ways in the FA Women's National League Northern
Premier Division on Sunday afternoon with an emphatic 4-0 success at Huddersfield Town.
Forward Eleanor Ashton opened the scoring midway through the first half in West Yorkshire, after being played in by Rebecca May, to set the Ewes on their way.
After going in a goal to the good at the break, Derby doubled their lead when Hannah Ward's cross found Amy Sims to score from close range shortly after half-time.
May thumped in Derby's third just before the hour after a corner wasn't cleared before Sims rounded off the scoring in added time with May once again the provider.
The Ewes are now seventh in the league table and head to bottom side AFC Fylde on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
“A Great Way To End A Physically Demanding Week” - Griffiths
Manager Sam Griffiths was pleased with what she described as a ‘professional performance’ as the Ewes recorded their fourth away win on the spin in all competitions.
After tasting defeat in their opening away game of the season at Liverpool Feds in September, Derby have picked up maximum points on their travels at Stourbridge, Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield in the league, as well as Doncaster Rovers in the National League Plate.
Griffiths was also pleased to round off a physically demanding week, playing three league matches inside eight days, with a positive performance, a win and a clean sheet.
She said: “It was a professional performance and it was important we came here and got the three points to round off a physically demanding week.
“I am really pleased with the win. We said going into this three-game week that we needed a minimum of six points because we know that this team can beat anyone in the league on their day.
“We’ve achieved that target and also got our first clean sheet of the season in the league too which was also important for us.”
She added: “We’ve got another away day next week at Fylde and it feels like we’ll have played all the away games by Christmas at this rate!
“We seem to be doing well away from home so hopefully we can keep it going next weekend.”
“I've Loved It Since Joining Derby!” - Ashton
Attacker Eleanor Ashton took her goals tally to the season to five after opening the scoring against the Terriers.
Ashton, who turns 19 next month, joined Derby on a dual registration from Manchester United in the summer and has been a regular member of the Ewe’s frontline so far this term.
In what is her first season playing in senior football, Ashton is enjoying every moment of gaining experience with Derby so far.
She said: “It has been a big and busy week for us so to pick up six points from three matches is pleasing, especially after not starting the season in the best form.
“For me personally, I feel things are going well. This is my first season in Women’s football and I didn’t know what to expect in some ways, but I’ve loved it since coming in.
“The girls have been welcoming and I am enjoying myself, which I think is starting to show on the pitch because I love scoring and creating goals.”
She added: “I’ve loved this last week with some of the matches we’ve had. The win at Forest was amazing and one of the best games I’ve ever played in.”