Welcome first win for Ewes as Oakley and Wilson score

DERBY County Women got their first FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division points of the season with an assured 2-0 home win over Halifax Women on Sunday.

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First half goals from Kate Oakley and former Halifax player Minnie Wilson secured the win for Sam Griffiths' side at the Don Amott Arena.

Ainsley Strickland was sent off for Halifax late on as the Ewes registered their first league win and first clean sheet.

Head coach Griffiths made four changes from the previous weekend's resounding 6-2 home win over Lincoln United in the League Cup group stages by restoring first-choice goalkeeper Lucy Jones, midfielder Liv Edwards and Wilson and Oakley to the starting lineup.

There was also a welcome return on the bench after injury for defender Mikayla Wildgoose.

Halifax forced the first chance after 18 minutes and Derby were indebted to goalkeeper Jones to keep the visitors out.

She rushed off her line to block Farah Crompton's low effort after midfielder Becky May had been dispossessed inside the Derby half.