A quickfire trio of strikes gave Albion Women all three points on their travels against Derby County on Sunday, securing their fifth win in a row.
The Baggies overcame a tight first half to score three goals in the final 15 minutes as Fran Orthodoxou, Ellie May and Phoebe Warner ensured the visitors could continue their positive run of form.
Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made three changes to the side that secured top spot in Group N of the FAWNL Cup last weekend. Skipper Olivia Rabjohn completed her return to action, while Kate Evans and Charlotte Clarke were also handed starts.
The early openings of the clash went largely in the Baggies’ favour. Rhianne Oakley was the first to test Lucy Jones, firing a wicked ball across the box, which was carefully claimed by the former Albion goalkeeper.
Hannah George fired a free kick into the arms of Jones shortly after, but it soon became the turn of Albion ‘keeper Charlotte Clarke to keep the scores level after her acrobatic save denied Rebecca May from 30 yards out.
Hodgetts-Still looked to wrangle control of the tie with the attacking introductions of Amya Hammond-McLean and Fran Orthodoxou. A chance came immediately after as Warner rounded the Ewe Rams' defence before crashing against the bar, with no Baggies player able to slot home the rebound.
Orthodoxou became the first substitute to make an impact from the bench. Forward Oakley’s deft touch fell to the midfielder, leaving her to sweep home an unstoppable volley for the opener.
A double switch to bring in forwards May and Marli Rhodes would then help put the match to bed. The latter headed across goal, leaving the former to tap home and double the advantage just a minute after Albion scored their first.
With virtually the last touch of the game, Warner was on hand to extend her own rich vein of form. She scored her third in as many games by rolling a calm finish past Jones, putting further shine on a well-deserved Albion victory.
XI: Clarke, Reynolds, Green, George, Rabjohn, Warner, Watkins (Orthodoxou 59’), Evans, Oakley (May 76’), Robinson (Rhodes 76’), Jhamat (Hammond-McLean 53’).
Substitutes: Howard, Creaney, Kehoe.