Simran Jhamat’s second-half strike earned Albion Women a hard-fought victory away at Derby County in the Women’s National League on Sunday.
Head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made three changes to her starting XI, as captain Hannah George returned to the side in place of Ashlee Brown, while Jess Reavill and Niamh Deasy replaced Beth McGowan and Mariam Mahmood.
The first period was a close-fought battle with neither side being able to carve open a clear-cut effort on goal. Deasy was a handful for the hosts’ backline on several occasions, but she wasn’t able to get a clear shot off in the opposition box.
Derby rarely troubled Lucy Jones in-between the sticks, though they came close when Marli Rhodes-Andrews had a free kick that went narrowly wide of the post.
The second half began in cagey fashion and high-quality chances were at a premium for either side.
George tried her luck from range early in the half, however her shot dipped just over the bar. Down the other end, Rebecca May saw a shot well saved by Jones.
On the hour mark, the Baggies took the lead after some great work by Phoebe Warner, who won the ball back in midfield, and was then able to set Jhamat up to fire home emphatically from just inside the Derby box.
Only moments later, Jones came to the Albion’s aid denying Yasmin Mosby’s effort from close range with a fantastic one-on-one save maintaining the slender lead. After that chaotic flurry around the hour mark, Hodgetts-Still’s side managed the game tremendously and saw out a well-earned three points on their travels.
“All the staff and the players were buzzing,” said Hodgetts-Still. “I think we deserved it, three points and a clean sheet, you can’t get better than that before Christmas.
“I think from the last two weeks, how well the girls have performed and not got the points, today tops it off for us and I’m really happy.”
Albion Women are next in action in the new year when they travel to Nottingham Forest in the FA Women’s National League North.
Albion: Jones, Green (Brown 64 (Crackle 81)), Reavill, Newell, George, Warner, Loydon, Orthodoxou, Rabjohn, Jhamat (McGowan 71), Deasy (Weston 89).
Substitutes: Miller.