The teams observed a minutes silence prior to kick off in yesterday’s Derbyshire Ladies league Challenge Cup semi-final in memory of Poppy Atkinson, the young girl who tragically lost her life last week whilst training for the sport she loved.

Vics came into the game as the form team in Division 1, having won their last three games - scoring a remarkable 25 goals with only two conceded. It was a tough assignment, which is in any event to be expected at the semi-final stage of the Cup. It didn’t start well as Pride conceded after just over a minute when Vics’ attacker collected the ball ball to left of centre and cut back inside on to her right foot to hit a looping shot from distance over Jade Howell [1-0]

Despite this early setback, Pride rallied and were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal. Tash Allderidge hit it well but it had just a little too much height on it to trouble the goalkeeper. Fran Critchley-Watson picked up a clearance and shot wide from 30 yards after 15 minutes. Vics had an opportunity to extend their lead a few minutes later when their striker got behind the defence but Jade Howell got down well to smother the shot. The Pride were defending resolutely and limiting Vics in the main to shots from distance but, as the half ended, Jade Howell had to get down to block another shot from the edge of the area, which she was able to gather at the second attempt.

The Pride’s best opportunity of the first half came from a corner after 35 minutes, which was delivered into the six yard box, the keeper couldn’t hold on to the ball and it rebounded off the back of Beth Jones and was hacked off the line by a defender [HT 1-0].

The second half followed a similar pattern with Vics having the majority of possession and Pride Park defending well, with the hint of a threat on the counter. The compacted and bumpy pitch with hardly a blade of grass down the centre made for a poor playing surface with an unpredictable bounce. It did neither team any favours and was like watching two teams play with a rugby ball on a bouncy castle, so it wasn’t surprising that the ball spent a lot of time in the air.

After 64 minutes Vics had possession and recycled the ball back to their centre back on half way, she took a touch to control the ball but was closed down very quickly by Beth Jones who was able to nick the ball off the defender as she attempted to pass and, in doing so caught Beth on the ankle and brought her down as she was through and, potentially, clear. It was, however, a genuine attempt to play the ball and on half way which, although the centre back was the ‘last defender’, will have mitigated towards the colour of the card shown to her being yellow.

A minute later, Vics were awarded a free kick on the edge of the centre circle when Annie Laight inadvertently brushed her arm against the bouncing ball. The free kick was hit pretty straight into the penalty area and Vics’ striker was allowed to get behind the defence to have time to control the ball and slot beyond Jade [2-0]. Vics added another with a ball over the top after 68 minutes which found Vics’ striker through on goal unchallenged and she hit her shot wide of Jade and into the far corner [3-0].

There was a lengthy stoppage a minute after Vics’ third goal when Fran Critchley-Watson challenged for the ball and suffered what appeared a potentially serious knee injury. We are grateful for the assistance provided by the Vics’ physio in the immediate aftermath of the injury. It was certainly a painful one but, we hope, not as serious as it first appeared and we all wait hopefully for positive news in the coming days.

The remainder of the game, including nine minutes of added time, passed fairly uneventfully for Vics to seal their passage to the final where they will play Draycott Victoria. After having defended so well after the early setback, two momentary defensive lapses were punished by Vics for their second and third goals. Nevertheless, overall Pride defended resolutely and for much of the game limited Vics to shots from distance, without really posing as much of a threat as they would have liked at the other end, against a strong and capable defence.

There were a number of noteworthy performances with “mentions in despatches” to ‘keeper Jade Howell, who showed good handling on an unforgiving surface, and Loren Roberts who read the play well and was resolute at the heart of the defence. Despite her game ending prematurely, however, the Player of the Match was Fran Critchley-Watson who had, probably, her best performance of the season, playing with composure and determination in midfield and who handled the difficult playing surface as well as anyone. Everyone wishes Fran a speedy recovery.

The focus now turns to next week’s Derbyshire FA Women’s County Plate Final at Mickleover FC (ko 11am) when Pride Park face Staveley Miners Welfare of the Sheffield and Hallamshire League. All support will be welcome!