MATCH REPORT | PRIDE PARK 10 - 0 STANTON ILKESTON

In the absence of goalkeeper Jade Howell, not being risked after illness during the week, and with back up ‘keeper Jodie Hill injured, Steph Eadon stepped in as emergency keeper. Katy Sharpe was missing through illness, and Rachel Weaver was also unavailable so Loren Kitching filled in at full back. Eliot Sayavong returned after missing last week’s game, Hannah Kwiatek came in for her first game of the season, and Jess Page continued to build fitness with valuable playing time.

For the second successive game Pride made a quick start and were two goals up inside the first 8 minutes, as Beth Jones played in Ellie-Mae Coleman for a smart finish inside the first minute, and Eliot Sayavong met a perfect Tash Allderidge corner to head home.

Stanton’s goalkeeper was unable to continue with what appeared to be a hand injury after fifteen minutes, with an outfield player taking over in goal - and she was soon called into action, doing extremely well to to tip over a deft shot by Aimee Healy-Raynor with the outside of her foot.

A burst of three goals in nine minutes made it 5-0 after 30 minutes - Ellie Coleman getting her second just after 20 minutes, Beth Jones after 28 minutes, before Tash Allderidge converted a penalty on the half-hour.

A flowing seven pass move down the left flank, involving Izzy Wilsoncroft, Annie Laight, Beth Jones and Hannah Kwiatek almost added another with Hannah finding Ellie Coleman’s front post run - but her first time effort hit the outside of the post. Stanton’s ‘keeper did well to hold on to a close range shot from Aimee Healy-Raynor after a scramble in the box, so at half-time it remained 5-0.

Another quick-fire burst of four goals in fourteen minutes astride the hour sealed the game, scored by Beth Jones (50’), before Ellie Coleman completed a hat-trick of composed finishes with a perfectly timed run to head home a Tash Allderidge corner from close range after 62’. Immediately from the kick off Beth Jones completed her hat-trick after Ellie Coleman blocked a forward pass - being winded in the process - and the ball fell to Jones who beat three defenders before slotting the ball wide of the keeper.

Aimee Healy-Radnor added another after 74’, nipping in to latch on to a back pass to slot past the keeper after Jess Page flicked on a throw-in, before Beth Jones scored her fourth of the game to wrap things up with ten minutes to play, charging down an attempted clearance before hitting a thunderous strike from the edge of the area into the top far corner.

Pride played some composed and attractive football, but Stanton were not without a threat, and Steph Eadon was forced into a couple of smart saves, but overall Pride defended well. Whilst Pride’s fine goal scoring form continues - they have now scored a remarkable thirty-six goals in the last four games - the performance of the defensive unit merits a mention as they recorded a second successive clean sheet, with Izzy Wilsoncroft, Annie Laight and Sophie Ayton in good form, with Loren Kitching filling in for Rachel Weaver at full back yesterday, and goalkeeper duties shared between Jade Howell and Steph Eadon.

Highlights of the game are available to view in the Gallery

Following the win a quarter-final tie beckons against either Matlock Town or Borrowash Victoria, who play their 1st Round match on 12th November.

Pride are at home again next Sunday for the 1st Round of the Derbyshire FA Womens County Cup against Belper Town Development at Moorways (ko 1.30pm).