Derby County Women registered their second successive win of the 2022/23 FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division on Sunday afternoon by comfortably dispatching Boldmere St. Michaels Women 6-1 on home soil.
Inspired by an Amy Sims hat-trick, which took her to an impressive eight goals in four matches, Sam Griffiths’ side moved up to fourth spot in the table and within three points of first place.
Another player in fine form, Jess Camwell, found the net twice and registered a further two assists, including one for Emelia Wilson who scored her first of the campaign.
Derby were almost gifted an opener in the eighth minute courtesy of a dubious Daina Scott back-pass. The Boldmere defender almost placed the ball into her own net, but had her blushes spared on this occasion thanks to backpedalling goalkeeper Chloe Quinn.
Griffiths’ side eventually found their breakthrough in the 35th minute through Camwell. Captain Hannah Ward sent a lofted through ball towards the forward, but it was a miscued defensive interception that sent the ball into Camwell’s path as she pounced to open the scoring.
Simon Noakes’ side equalised eight minutes later, with former Derby player Jade Formaston claiming the assist. No more than 10 yards from goal, Formaston teed up Lois Jeffries to fire her effort home into the top right-hand corner.
The visitors were not level for long, however, as Wilson tucked the ball past Quinn a minute later, straight from the restart, to restore Derby’s lead.
Griffiths made two changes at the break as Becky McGrother and Marli Rhodes-Andrews made way for Kira Rai and Keira Barry, the former proving pivotal to the end result.
It took just four minutes of second half action before the Ewe Rams had doubled their advantage. Assisted by Camwell, Sims struck from close range to grab her first of the afternoon.
Sims had her second just five minutes later. Dancing around the box, Rai fortunately scuffed her attempted cross into the path of the leading goalscorer who finished with aplomb to bag her brace.
In the 64th minute, Sims smashed in her third off the underside of the crossbar to complete a 15-minute hat-trick.
The scoring was complete in the 73rd minute as Camwell notched her second of the game past the onrushing Quinn and into the bottom left-hand corner.
Unbeaten in three, Derby County Women next face AFC Fylde Women away from home in the FA Women’s National League Cup on Sunday 11th September (2pm kick-off).
Report taken from the Derby County Women website.
