This wasn’t quite a winner takes all match but it was one with a lot at stake for both teams; realistically, Pride needed to win in order to keep their title hopes alive, whilst a win for Vics would as good as secure the title for them, barring an unexpected turn of events.

It was Vics who made all the early running, enjoying good possession and creating chances - three in the first ten minutes, although none troubled Jade Howell in The Pride’s goal. The best early chance for Vics came after 11 minutes when Sophie Ayton was penalised for a handball on the edge of area - the Referee completely missing a clear shove in her back by the Vics’ striker which should have resulted in a free kick to The Pride. Fortunately, the shot from the free kick was blocked by The Pride’s defensive wall.

The first attempt on goal for The Pride came from Ellie Coleman after 14 minutes, but Vics took the lead two minutes later. It came from a Pride attack when a long clearance upfield dropped behind the defensive line and Vics’ striker was first to the ball, and although Jade Howell advancing to close down got a hand to the shot, she was unable to keep it out [1-0].

Just after 20 minutes, Jade Howell came to collect a cross under pressure and was unable take the ball cleanly, but dropped on it to smother it - taking a knee in the thigh from a Vics’ striker. The referee gave the free kick but Jade was in some discomfort and played on but was clearly hampered afterwards.

There was a promising move down the right by Pride, but despite opportunities to take a strike on goal, the ball was played square until reaching Rachel Weaver and with nothing else available she did take a shot, but was unable to hit it cleanly and it ran wide of the post.

Vics were awarded what appeared to be another soft free kick on the edge of area after 26 minutes, their striker going to ground far too easily under challenge from Sophie Ayton. The direct shot from the free kick was tipped around the far post by Jade Howell. Shortly afterwards there was a good opportunity for Vics to extend their lead when a ball across goal found their striker at the far post, but she directed her shot into the side netting.

Vics were enjoying a good spell of possession and creating opportunities, and had another chance to extend their lead just before the half-hour, Sophie Ayton held up a run down the flank by Vics’ attacker, but when the attacker laid the ball off inside nobody had picked up the supporting run and it was a relief to see the shot go wide of the far post.

With 32 minutes played, Vics were awarded a free kick on the edge of the centre circle. It was hit and high dropping under the bar, and although Jade Howell got both hands to it she couldn’t push it upwards enough to divert it over and it fell under the bar [2-0].

As half-time approached, a Pride free kick from the corner of the penalty area taken by Tash Allderidge, cleared the wall but was saved low down and held by Vics’ keeper so at half-time it was 2-0 to Vics.

It was a disappointing first half from The Pride, below the levels they have been playing at, with Vics undoubtedly the dominant force in the first 45 minutes. Perhaps Pride were too aware of what was at stake - in any event it seemed a somewhat nervous and inhibited first half from them. If something was to be salvaged from the game they needed to find a way to turn the tide in the second half.

They responded by coming out fighting, with an immediate and marked improvement, creating a chance within two minutes of the restart. Beth Jones’ cross just evaded Ellie Coleman and Aimee Healy-Raynor got to it beyond the far post but couldn’t pull her shot back quite enough and it hit the side netting.

There were then a couple of attacks by Vics; a high looping cross was headed back into the area but after a moment of pinball Jade Howell smothered the ball at the feet of an attacker, and on a counter attack Jade collected a shot from outside the area comfortably - but Vics were increasingly limited to counter attacks as Pride forced Vics to defend.

From a throw in on the right flank, Beth Jones turned and eluded two defenders, and coming at goal from an angle sidestepped the goalkeeper but, with the goal seemingly at her mercy, the ball just ran out of her reach on the bone hard surface and a recovering defender was able to clear. Then on the hour, Beth Jones collected a high, dropping ball, held off two defenders but got under her shot and lifted it over the bar.

Ellie Coleman did well a couple of minutes later, making ground down the right flank, before pulling the ball back into the centre towards Beth Jones, but she pulled her shot wide of the far post. Then, on 65 minute the breakthrough came, when Eliot Sayavong won possession back strongly in central midfield, Aimee Healy-Raynor tried to find Ellie Coleman but a defender’s sliced clearance from the edge of the area beat the keeper’s despairing dive and went in at the far post [2-1]. It won’t feature in the goals of the season, but it was reward for the pressure being put on Vics’ defence.

Unfortunately, an injury shortly afterwards ended Sophie Ayton’s contribution, and after a lengthy stoppage she was replaced by Izzy Wilsoncroft - on to make her 100th appearance for The Pride. There was no time to ease into the game, however, as he was called into action immediately, making a decisive challenge on an attacker through on goal - directing her away from goal before putting the ball out for a throw in.

The stoppage for Sophie’s injury had taken a little of the momentum out of Pride’s relentless attacks for a brief spell, and Vics put in a high looping cross which was met by their striker at close range, but Jade Howell got her positioning right and safely gathered the ball. Pride continued to look for another goal, and from Rachel Weaver’s throw in, Beth Jones turned past the defender but just couldn’t quite wrap her foot round the ball enough and it flew wide.

The second half had been relentless attacks from The Pride, but on 90 minutes there was a sucker punch as Vics cleared the ball, there was no danger but Annie Laight’s back pass bobbled horribly over Jade Howell’s foot as she attempted to kick upfield and the ball rolled into the net. There were two further chances for Pride - Ellie Coleman heading just wide from a corner and then beating two defenders before her cross was partially cleared to Eliot Sayavong, who shot narrowly wide and with 95 minutes played, it finished 3-1 to Vics.

After a subdued first half, it had been a much better showing in the second half as the brakes were off, Pride showed much more belief and played without fear. After Vics had dominated the first half, it was Pride who were the offensive force in the second half. It would be overstating it to say Vics were hanging on, but they certainly had their backs to the wall for most of the second half and although they defended well, it seemed like the ball just wouldn’t fall for Pride as it was agonisingly nearly, almost and not quite ….on numerous occasions. It was a classic game of two halves, which could have gone either way in the end and reflected the games between the teams this season - all very close with two wins apiece, one each in the league and cups.

On balance Vics perhaps had the slightly better chances and it was in the first half that the damage was done. All of the goals had a freakish element to them, however. The result means Vics have all but won the League - they have two games left to play and are now 8 points clear. It is hard to argue they won’t be worthy Champions, barring a bizarre turn of events - having scored the second most goals and having the meanest defence in the League by a very comfortable margin. As the old adage says - attacks win you games, defences win you titles.

It was a real test of character to react and respond to being two down at half-time, and Pride’s players really stepped it up in the second half - but on this night it just wasn’t meant to be, unfortunately.

Pride have the first of three remaining games on Sunday when they play Wirksworth at Brassington (kick off 1.30pm).