The weather-delayed Derbyshire County FA Women's Plate semi-final was played at the second attempt at Woodlands yesterday. Maja Znamirowska returned for her 100th appearance, and we were delighted to see Eliot Sayavong return after four months out with an ankle injury to make her 50th appearance for The Pride.

Aimee Healy-Raynor had already seen a shot clip the top of the crossbar when Ellie-Mae Coleman’s snap shot from distance came back off the crossbar and may have already crossed the line but Aimee Healy-Raynor made sure on the follow-up to open the scoring after 6 minutes [0-1].

Tash Allderidge added a second from the penalty spot on 11 minutes, after Ellie-Mae Coleman was brought down by the Woodlands’ keeper [0-2], Allderidge adding a third four minutes later with a shot from distance [0-3].

There were good shots well saved by Woodlands’ keeper from Ellie-Mae Coleman, Rachel Weaver and Libby Queen, and a decent strike from distance by Sophie Ayton that went just wide, before Ellie-Mae Coleman made it four just on half-time, smashing home from close range after the keeper parried a Tash Allderidge corner [0-4].

Woodlands had also had their chances; Jade making a good save early on, coming out quickly to clear as sweeper keeper when a through ball was played for the striker to chase, and a well hit shot that cleared the crossbar, but at half-time it was 0-4.

Within three minutes of the restart Ellie-Mae Coleman’s header from a Tash Allderidge corner hit the post but we couldn’t find the finishing touch in the ensuing melee in a crowded area.

The Pride were controlling the game, without really fashioning any further chances until a great strike from distance by Libby Queen was tipped around the post by the keeper just after the hour. Libby wasn’t to be denied a couple of minutes later, however, when she finished off a sweeping move that started with goalkeeper Jade Howell playing out from the back and up the pitch, culminating in a fierce shot from distance into the top of the goal [0-5]. Libby was denied a second three minutes later when the Woodlands keeper pulled off a great reaction save.

Woodlands almost pulled one back but Jade Howell’s miraculous double save kept Pride’s lead intact. With three minutes left Katy Sharpe almost had her first goal for The Pride, hitting across a cutback with a fine shot that just cleared the crossbar.

Two goals in the last three minutes rounded off the match - Tash Allderidge completing her hat-trick with an unstoppable rocket after 88 minutes, before Woodlands pulled a goal back with a header from a corner at the end of normal time. There was just enough time left for the restart before the Referee’s whistle confirmed The Pride’s place in the final on 21st April, where they will face Long Eaton United.

FULL-TIME: Woodlands 1-6 Pride Park

It was a dominant display against a young but resilient Woodlands side who gave a good account of themselves on a playing surface that both sides found difficult and challenging.

The Pride have no fixture on Easter Sunday and then travel to Borrowash Victoria for the DGLL Challenge Cup quarter-final on 7th April (ko 1.30pm).

Match Photographs courtesy of Shaun Hardwick at S.H. Photos