The postponement of last Wednesday’s game v Buxton resulted in a late change, turning what was the last game of the season against Stanton Ilkeston into the first part of an unusual double header. Unusual in that double headers (comprising 2 games of 30 minutes each half) are normally played against one team but this involved two different opponents. However, with the runners up spot already secured there was no jeopardy involved and it was an expedient way to conclude the fixtures.

Pride started with a full bench, although of those 3 were returning from injury; Otty Baker somewhat further ahead of Steph Eadon - this being Steph’s first game since injury at the beginning of March, and Hannah Roberts - out since January 2022 with a ruptured ACL.

Although there was nothing at stake in terms of league standings, Pride were out of the blocks quickly, and raced into a four goal lead within the first 12 minutes.

The first came after 45 seconds, when Molly Boultbee played a ball forward into the path of Beth Jones, and she slotted home from outside the width of the six yard box. Immediately after the goal the heavens opened, everyone out in the open was quickly saturated and the surface became slick with the ball zipping up off the pitch.

Patient build up play resulted in Ellie Coleman laying off a square pass to Tash Allderidge and her shot from 30 yards bounced just in front of the keeper, the bounce deceiving her as the ball sped through to give Pride a second after 7 minutes [2-0].

Three minutes later a fluid passing movement between Tash Allderidge, Izzy Wilsoncroft and Aimee Healy-Raynor put Beth Jones in on the right flank, and as she drew level with the six yards box and from the edge of the penalty area she clipped the ball over the ‘keeper and just inside the far post [3-0].

Aimee Healy-Raynor added a fourth on 12 minutes; Libby Queen crossed into the centre from the left, Ellie Coleman challenged as a defender intercepted the cross and the ball broke to Aimee Healy-Raynor, and her half volley with the outside of her right foot from 22 yards curled over and away from the keeper [4-0].

Pride went close to extending their lead further with shots from Libby Queen and Beth Jones - the latter’s attempted lob taken full in the face at close range by the goalkeeper who, although momentarily dazed, was thankfully ok to continue.

The keeper could do nothing about Pride’s fifth goal, however, after 22 minutes. A,Tash Allderidge corner was flicked on at the near post by Molly Boultbee, and although semi-blocked/cleared, it fell to Ellie Coleman who a controlled shot from six yards to make it 5-0.

Pride then introduced a series of substitutions in the final nine minutes of the first half, in order to conserve energy for the game to come.

There were goal attempts by Steph Eadon, on for her first appearance in almost 3 months, Tash Allderidge and Eliot Sayavong, before Libby Queen’s goalbound shot was turned around the post by the keeper. From the resultant corner the ball broke to Katy Sharpe and she made no mistake on the half-volley from 10 yards, for her first goal for The Pride, with the referee ending the first half shortly afterwards [6-0].

As the second half got underway the pitch was bathed in bright sunshine, in contrast to the first half. Substitutions were a constant feature of the second period as Pride attempted to manage the game and give players some rest. Eliot Sayavong was a whisker away from scoring five minutes after the restart, after she was found by a smart cut back by Otty Baker. Ellie Coleman had a shot cleared off the line, and Steph Eadon, Beth Jones and Eliot Sayavong again, also kept the goalkeeper busy.

With ten minutes to play Pride made their final round of substitutions, introducing Hannah Roberts for her first appearance since rupturing an ACL in January 2022 - 847 days since her last appearance. She was welcomed onto the pitch with warm applause and cheers from teammates and spectators.

The final significant act of the game came with three minutes to play - Katy Sharpe intercepted a throw in, heading forward to Ellie Coleman, she turned her marker and played through for Beth Jones who drew the keeper out and slotted home for her hat-trick [7-0].

It was an effective performance - a first half in which Pride were clinical and able to manage the second half in sapping conditions - every outfield player being rotated in and/or out at some point. It was also pleasing to see five different scorers. Notwithstanding the performance and result, however, the game will be remembered most for marking the return of injured players - Steph Eadon after almost 3 months our and particularly Hannah Roberts after an absence of over 2 years.