Ewe Rams go top to ease Cup loss pain
DERBY County Women bounced back from their surprise FA Cup exit to climb to the top of the FA Women’s National League Northern Division with a 4-0 win over Sheffield.
Lower league Stourbridge Ladies rocked Ewe Rams with a 3-2 win last weekend and manager Sam Griffiths was pleased to see the reaction from her squad in Wednesday night’s win, in front of a decent crowd of 463.
“We wanted a reaction on Wednesday night and we got one,” said Griffiths.
“We knew there was a steely detergo mination from training to put the FA Cup defeat behind us and it was evident throughout.
“The FA Cup defeat, we didn’t really see it coming. Anybody there will have seen that there was no complacency on our part, we just couldn’t get going, they did a really good job of frustrating us.
“It hurt the squad and that is good to see. We wanted to extend our 10-game unbeaten run as long as possible but it wasn’t to be and now we get the opportunity to again.”
In front of a crowd of nearly 500, Griffiths saw her side hit back to beat Sheffield with goals from Jade Formaston, Emily Joyce and Ellie Gilliatt in the first half and a second-half strike for Precious Hamilton. Griffiths says being on top of the table means they know they will now have a target on their backs. “We’ve tried to go under the radar as much as possible this season with everything going on but when you are on a run, as we were, and then hit the top of the table, we know that we are a target now,” she said.
“Everyone has been talking about Wolves so far this season, having come up and then gone unbeaten so far, and we were happy to let them take the rightful plaudits.
“Now we’re going to have to take that role. We have two of the more favourable league games coming up but that means nothing. All teams in this league are capable on their day, some are just more consistent.
“If we can get to Christmas with another seven to nine points on the board, we will be in good shape to kick on during the second-half of the campaign and see where it takes us.
“We’ve had a tough few months off the field but, as seen on Wednesday, the fans are turning out in force for us and they are really becoming our 12th man.
“That support to us is crucial, it does give the girls a lift, they talk about it often and we hope they stick with us into the new year.”
Ewe Rams are not in action this weekend but return a week tomorrow with an away game against Middlesbrough, then a home League Cup clash with Brighouse Town on December 5.