The Pride came agonisingly close to a historic Cup upset in Sunday’s Derbyshire FA Women’s Plate Final, coming from behind twice to take the lead with 6 minutes of normal time to play, before conceding in ten minutes of time added on and only losing out on penalties to Tier 5 (and until last season, National League Tier 4) side Long Eaton United.

The players were escorted out onto the pitch by mascots including from our Wildcats, u8 Diamonds and u9 Pumas.

From the kick off it was The Pride who made the early running, enjoying good possession in Long Eaton’s half. The first real chance, however, came for Long Eaton on the break - setting the tone for the game - but the attacker’s shot was pulled wide. Pride’s first attempt came after 12 minutes when Beth Jones was put through on goal but she also just dragged her shot just wide of the far post.

Ellie Coleman was through after 17 minutes but was brought down by a heavy challenge, earning the defender a yellow card - as the last defender she was a little fortunate and, had it been a few yards nearer to goal, the colour of the card may well have been different.

Libby Queen almost took advantage of a mix up at the back in the Long Eaton defence to lob the keeper after 24 minutes, but the keeper recovered quickly to somehow get a hand to it and keep the ball out.

Having made a promising start to the game and creating a number of opportunities, Pride found themselves behind after 34 minutes, when Long Eaton’s attacker was found in space and slotted past Jade Howell.

There was an immediate chance for Pride to draw level, when a handball in the area gave Pride a penalty. Unfortunately Tash Allderidge’s 36th minute spot kick was palmed away by Millie Smith in the Long Eaton goal - neither the first nor the last time the keeper came to Long Eaton’s rescue. From the resultant corner there was a goalline scramble but amongst all the hacking, stabbing, swiping and blocking the finishing touch couldn’t be applied and, eventually, the ball was cleared.

There was another good chance for Pride Park after 41 minutes, when Beth Jones ran through on goal but her shot was palmed away again by the keeper.

The Pride had created the better chances but had been unable to find a way past the Long Eaton goalkeeper, who had been exceptional in the first half and at half-time it was Long Eaton who held a one goal advantage.

The second half started with just the the reaction Pride Park needed. Beth Jones was played through again, her initial shot was saved but only cleared as far as Maja Znamirowska who fed Beth Jones again and she slotted past the keeper to level the score after 50 minutes.

After coming on to good effect in the first half and having a hand in the equaliser, there was a blow for Maja Znamirowska and The Pride when the experienced striker pulled up in agony off the ball. She was in considerable pain and unable to continue and, as initially suspected, it was later confirmed she had ruptured her achilles tendon, which definitely ends her season, at the least. It’s yet another case of the injury jinx that has bedevilled The Pride’s season.

Long Eaton restored their lead just before the hour, when space opened up in midfield allowing the ball to be carried forward before being played through to an attacker to slot past Jade Howell.

Beth Jones pulled Pride level again in the 70th minute - her initial effort was saved but she made no mistake with her second effort as she lofted it over the ‘keeper.

The goal of the game came with six minutes of normal time to play, when Beth Jones completed her hat-trick to give The Pride the lead for the first time with what can only be described as a wonder-strike. Receiving the ball near the half way line she drove forward before hitting an absolute thunderbolt from 35 yards out that hit the very top of the post and went in, giving the (or any) goalkeeper absolutely no chance. What a way to bring up your 50th League and cup goal of the season!

There was a serious looking injury to a Long Eaton player just before the end of the 90 minutes, occuring similarly to Maja Znamirowska’s injury in that it didn’t involve another player. Hopefully, it’s not as serious as it looked. Despite the two injury stoppages the ten minutes of time added on was, nevertheless, a surprise.

Five minutes into injury time, Long Eaton found an equaliser as the ball was lobbed over Jade Howell and despite Molly Boultbee’s desperate attempt to keep the ball out it bounced up too high for her to intercept and the scores were level with five minutes still to play. There was still time for one more effort on goal, but Beth Jones’ strike was saved and so the game went to the lottery of penalties.

Long Eaton won the lottery, and The Plate 5-4, with five well taken penalties.

Congratulations to Long Eaton on their win. It just wasn’t to be for The Pride but what a performance from the team to more than match opposition playing two Tiers higher in the pyramid. The players gave it their all and richly deserved all the plaudits that came their way for their performance and their conduct, both of which were a credit to themselves and the club.

Beth Jones was given the match ball after the game for her hat-trick, which was duly signed by all her teammates. It may feel like scant consolation on the day, when having been so close to winning the game the overriding emotion was disappointment, but Beth and all the squad can take pride in their performance. After an outstanding performance by the Long Eaton goalkeeper it was a surprise she didn’t collect the Player of the Match Award.

Thanks to the mascots and to our club members and others for coming along to give the girls your support. Pride must now pick themselves up and, both figuratively and literally, lick their wounds to prepare for the Derbyshire Ladies League Challenge Cup Final against Buxton Women at Matlock Town’s Proctor Cars Stadium next Sunday 28th April (ko 1.30pm).

Images and video of the game are being provided by Derbyshire FA and will be posted later