As we arrived at Matlock Town’s ground you could tell it was going to be a great night. The amount of spectators was awesome, with both Pride Park and Derby equally represented and equally believing they could grab the victory. The strength and depth of Pride Park was demonstrated with the attendance of the Chairman, other Pride Park team managers & players and the team helpers and trainee coaches all sat on the edge of their seats in the dugout and stands!

From the first whistle, Pride Park started the better and retained the ball well. Derby, not to be put off by this, started to muscle their way into the game and also started moving the ball about well and pressurising Sarah Newton and Lucy Jones at the back. Suddenly, a series of excellent passes put Derby through and a solid shot led to a well taken goal and Derby led 1- 0.

Jon Croft appeared calm on the side lines; only 4 minutes had passed, there was still plenty of time. Almost immediately from the kick off, Amy Haywood played in Amy Scurrell, but the pass was just a bit too strong and Pride Park could not capitalise on the break, but it made a statement loud and clear – Pride Park were still very much in this tie! The next attack saw the ball come into Derby’s box, be cleared, but only as far as Sarah, who swept the ball back into the box to Tionne Shaw, who calmly tucked the ball into the back of the net, 1-1 and only 6 minutes gone. This was going to be a great game!

The balance between the sides was clear to see. Derby’s number 4 was their main play maker and a very talented player, but to counteract that, Abbie Davies and Tionne had the speed down the wings to keep the ball in Pride Park’s possession and to put pressure on Derby’s defence. Several crosses from Tionne led to several corners from Tionne and you could feel Pride Park’s confidence growing. Derby felt the need to change the team and brought on a couple of subs, which brought them some stability and enabled Derby to construct some attacks. What Derby didn’t count on was Pride Park’s man of the match Sarah, who cleared ball after ball from defence and despite being one of the smaller players, she played as if she was 6 feet tall and the strongest player out there!

The balance of power was definitely moving in favour of Pride Park.This was big part to Shania Allison containing Derby's most dangerous player ( number 4), with the precision tackling and domineering presence.
Abbie took her chance down the right wing, cutting inside and beating players with blistering pace and great skills. It was only a desperate clearance by the defender that prevented a brilliant solo run becoming a certain goal. As the game settled and the ball moved from end to end, Sarah now demonstrated her pace and reading of the game, placing herself everywhere Derby didn’t want her and on every occasion she disrupted their flow.

Jon changed the tactics for Pride Park on 17 minutes, bringing Leah on for Tionne. The continued pressure from Pride Park caused Derby to panic and their once calm reading of the game became desperate clearances of the ball to relieve pressure. Whatever Pride Park did though, they couldn’t get the final finish to close out the game, until, on 21 minutes Sarah crossed the ball in, Abbie stuck a ferocious shot toward goal and Amy Scurrell deflected the path of the ball passed the committed keeper, Pride Park 2-1 up. Was it too early to dream? The excitement from the crowd was deafening and for the rest of the half, the only way to describe Pride Park was dominant! Leading from the back with Shania organising the defence, trying to calm things so the attack could counter with more confidence.
It wasn’t going to be all plain sailing though, Derby’s number 4 was still the threat and Derby’s speed of play meant counter attack was a real threat. Twice before Bob blew for half time, their number 4 hit vicious shots, one bringing a great reactionary save from Lucy and the other just wide by a few inches. Pride Park players seemed relax during half time, but ever calm Jon was starting to show signs of nerves – come on boss, keep it together!

The second half started and Amy S was quickly through on goal, but her shot was deflected behind for a corner. Abbie took the corner and beautifully curled it into the middle of the box where Amy H was waiting to tuck the ball into the back of the net, 3-1 Pride Park. Maybe, just maybe, it was going to be our day. Before that thought has even finished forming in our minds, an uncharacteristic miss judgement from Sarah and a hesitant Lucy allowed Derby’s number 4 to run between them and excellently place the ball into the corner of the net, 3-2 to Pride Park.

The shock of the situation, the realisation that the lead was fragile hit Pride Park hard and now it was our turn to panic. Every tackle seemed to work in Derby’s favour, every bounce took it toward our goal and beyond our player. What was happening; the crown fell silent, all eyes on the pitch. Had the celebrations of a few minutes before been too premature? Derby launched the ball into our area and 4 times a Derby player swung at the ball, but were unable to progress the ball toward our net, then the Derby number 4 collect the ball; oh no, we held our breath – it went just wide!

We needed to calm down, we had controlled this game and been the better team, but we seemed to forget this and handed control back to Derby. Abbie broke down the wing, fed a ball through to Amy S, again too long and the ball was cleared for a corner. Tionne, now back on again after swapping with Leah, received the ball from the corner, but the rash snapshot was well wide of the Derby goal. And then it happened. Derby’s number 4 picked up the ball in her own half, ran past three players and smashed the ball beyond Lucy, 3-3! It was the Derby fans turn to go wild with excitement, they now had the control and momentum, they were going to win the cup.

The next 7 minutes were all Derby, pass and moves were a joy to watch, Derby first to every loose ball, coming out on top of every tackle, there was nothing we could do! Jon brought some changes to the team, gambling on pushing forward, using our attacking skills to readdress the control of the game. Like all great leaders, the risk was calculated and as Tionne slotted home to take Pride Park 4-3 up, it proved to be the correct decision.

There were still five minutes left and the tension on the pitch and in the crowd was so evident you could almost touch it! Derby were now angry, they had worked so hard and now had to do it all again. Derby corner; struck wide, Derby corner; cleared, number 4 strike; just wide – how long was this going to go on for!! Surely it had been five minutes, come on Bob, blow the whistle. At this stage it was anyone’s game and whoever won it from this point was going to be the deserved winner as this was one of the best grass roots games I have seen. Just before Jon’s heart could take no more, Bob blew the whistle and the victory was Pride Park’s.

Well done to everyone involved both from a player, coach and spectator view point, you were all tremendous and make grass roots football what it is. Also a special mention to Terri O'Riley who patiently waited to come on as sub, but sadly didn't get her chance this time. Nevertheless a valued member of the team who helped get the girls to the final. And Louise Nethercot who was unfortunately injured, but this didnt stop her cheering the team in which she has rightfully earned her place.