MATCH REPORT | PRIDE PARK 5 -2 AMBER VALLEY

We are pleased to publish guest reporter Archie Brown’s report of Wednesday’s game. Archie is a student at Derby College and has aspirations to study Sports Journalism at the University of Derby:

Pride Park came into the game looking to continue a good start to the season against a potentially difficult Amber Valley side. As Storm Agnes approached the playing conditions at Moorways were difficult with a gusty wind up to 40 mph blowing down the pitch, with the hosts playing into the wind in the first half.
 
GOAL! 0-1
The away side kicked off and a long forward pass found Amber Valley Striker Yasmine Uppal, she broke through two Pride Park defenders to slot it into the net inside one minute! It was a really poor start for the home side who immediately looked for a response, though their play was rushed and they struggled to keep good possession initially.
 
Pride were awarded a free kick for a foul on the edge of the Amber Valley area. Captain Natasha Allderidge placed the ball down in preparation to take the free kick which by her standards, was in a promising position.

GOAL! 1-1
An absolute screamer from the skipper! For the second time in a week, Allderidge rescued her side with a sublime free kick, looping over the Amber Valley wall and goalkeeper Kyrie Straw and into the top left corner to make it level after nine minutes.
 
There followed a fantastic cross field pass by Stephanie Eadon to find team mate Aimee Healy-Raynor, who cut the ball back to reach Ellie-Mae Coleman who collected smartly on the turn but had her impressive shot caught by Straw in goal.

Like the scoreline suggested, the game was reasonably even for the opening 20 minutes with equal possession, though no further goalscoring opportunities for either side.
 
GOAL! 2-1
Pride Park capitalised on a spell of possession as Beth Jones was put through 1v1 by Allderidge and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to put the home side in front on twenty minutes!
 
A period of squally rain made the surface slick and with that in mind Eadon fizzed a shot towards the Amber Valley goal, though it was comfortably collected by the ‘keeper. The away side were finding chances at a premium but finally had a sight of goal, as Nicola Litchfield-Shaw created some space, though her shot drifted wide. After a foul on Uppal, Courtney Shaw fired a great through ball to Daisy Chapman though after a good block by Pride ‘keeper Jodie Hill, neither Amber Valley player could take advantage and the ball was subsequently picked up.
 
A teasing cross from Amber Valley’s Rhiannon Selby was met by Yasmine Uppal though her headed effort hit the post - although the play was deemed offside by the referee. After a great throughball which wrong footed the Amber Valley defence, Jones fired a shot over the bar. After creating a chance out of nothing, Amber Valley’s Millie-Jo Williams looked for a give-and-go with team mate Chapman but the subsequent return pass rolled out for a goal kick.
 
As half-time approached, Pride Park captain Allderidge hoped for lightning to strike twice as a free kick was given in another very promising area for the home side. The set-piece was well taken but floated just beyond the far post.

Pride had recovered well after an inauspicious start and, although possession was relatively even, they had the better of the chances and limited the visitors’ opportunities.
 
Half-Time: 2-1
 
GOAL! 3-1: A great start to the second half for the home side! After some promising build up play, Pride Park won a corner and after a fantastic delivery by Allderidge, Stephanie Eadon rose above all the rest to beat the Amber Valley ‘keeper with a looping header four minutes after the restart.

GOAL! 3-2: Amber Valley responded well and a brief period of good possession culminated in a well executed shot, which Jodie Hill did well to parry but Millie-Jo Williams was first to the rebound and fired her shot into the net to reduce the deficit only seven minutes later.
 
GOAL! 4-2:
There was an immediate response from Pride Park who restored their two goal cushion after an unbelievable strike from Aimee Healy-Raynor! After a rushed clearance from the Amber Valley defence, Healy-Raynor seized on the loose ball and fired a spectacular first time volley looping over Valley ‘keeper Straw! A great goal for the home side.
 
With the help of the gusty wind Pride were making most of the running and enjoying good territorial possession. After a long ball towards the Valley goal, Kyrie Straw bravely rushed off her line to knock the ball out for a throw-in. There was a chance for Pride Park to quickly catch the away side off guard, though after some neat build-up play to find Eadon on the edge of the area, her shot sailed over.

It’s just not her day! Eadon again making a nuisance of herself with the Amber Valley defence, she decided to try her luck again from distance though her shot failed to hit the target. After a great touch and release from Aimee Healy-Raynor to find team mate Sophie Ayton, her tempting cross looped into the goalkeepers’ arms.

GOAL! (RULED OUT!) There were further opportunities for Eadon, Loren Kitching, Beth Jones and Tash Allderidge before it looked like Jones had scored another as she latched on to a through ball and rounded the keeper, but the referee called it back, judging the keeper to have had the ball in her hands on the floor.

They’re not giving up! With Pride Park looking for a fifth, a great set piece delivery by Annabel Laight lead to a scramble inside the penalty area, before the ball was laid back for Sophie Ayton but her shot was just wide.
 
GOAL! 5-2:
Beth Jones finally got her second of the evening! The attacker’s persistence was rewarded when a through ball by Eliot Sayavong put her through in another 1v1 and she slotted past Kyrie Straw in goal

Almost 6! After a great corner delivery, Ellie-Mae Coleman was found at the near post but her header fell just wide.

After being caught napping in the opening minute the in-form home side recovered and produced a dominant display, particularly in the second half, although being made to work very hard for it by Amber Valley.
 
Full-Time:
Pride Park FC 5-2 Amber Valley

Highlights of the game are available to view HERE

Another quick turnaround after Wednesday’s game for Pride, with the trip to play Ashbourne at Osmaston Polo Field on Sunday (KO 1.30pm).