As a team new to the League, Chesterfield Development were something of an unknown quantity but coming into this game on the back of a win against last season’s runners up, clearly weren’t to be underestimated.

However, an accomplished performance by The Pride, with Beth Jones leading from the front with five goals, secured the points. It was in some respects a little harsh on Chesterfield who were a good technical side and had their moments, but reflected a very good all round team performance by The Pride, who extend their unbeaten run in the league to 12 games.

Pride started very quickly, opening up a two goal lead within ten minutes. The first after 5 minutes when Summer Evans intercepted a pass and set Beth Jones free; although there was a slight element of fortune as the ball bounced up off her heel as she turned, the strike was absolutely clinical. Five minutes later, Beth Jones turned on a throw-in from Loren Roberts and hit a left footed shot into the far corner from the angle of the six yards box.

Chesterfield pulled a goal back from the spot after 23 minutes, but the two goal cushion was restored after 28 minutes, when there was a scramble inside the six yard box following a corner, Beth Jones getting the final touch. Five minutes later, Daisy Bowen was played in by Tash Collyer and made it 4-1 with some nifty footwork to wrongfoot the defender and hit a firm shot over the keeper from inside the penalty area.

Chesterfield pulled one back on the stroke of half time. There was a collective lapse in concentration as the back four failed to anticipate a ball over the top - and were left trailing in the wake of the striker who was left to run through unchallenged and slot past Jade Howell.

Having conceded at the end of the first half, a good start to the second half was important for Pride Park, and it looked like they had scored a fifth three minutes after the restart, when Tash Collyer’s corner evaded everyone at the near post and was met with a full-blooded volley by Aimee Healy-Raynor, which somehow defied the Laws of Physics; hitting the inside of the post and rebounding across goal and out at the far side. How it didn't go in was a mystery - it was a terrific technique and really unfortunate not to result in a goal.

A potentially dangerous breakaway by Chesterfield was dealt with well by Eliot Sayavong, who shepherded the striker away from goal and danger.

A purple patch of three goals in ten minutes settled the game in favour of the Pride. After 55 minutes, pressure from Beth Jones lead to a stray ball from a defender which Otty Baker latched on to, side stepping a defender’s challenge before lifting the ball over the advancing keeper (5-2).

A minute later Loren Kitching made it six, when she burst through on to Beth Jones’ through ball and lifted her shot over the keeper (6-2). Loren returned the favour, after 65 minutes, heading a goal kick into the path of Beth Jones and she slotted beyond the keeper (7-2).

Chesterfield pulled a goal back after 69 minutes (7-3) before Jade Howell made two important saves, coming out to narrow the angle and blocking the first shot with her foot, the second a save at the near post from close range when the striker had worked an angle.

Moments before the final goal of the game, the Chesterfield keeper made an outstanding one handed save from Daisy Bowen, diving up to her left and pushing the ball around her right hand post for a corner. From the corner, taken by Daisy Bowen, Beth Jones and a defender challenged at the near post, deflecting the ball goal bound. A defender on the line blocked it with her hand - it didn't look intentional but her hand was high and away from her body - but before anyone could react the ball fell to Beth Jones who smashed it into the roof of the net to avoid any debate and complete the scoring (8-3).

With five goals and an assist to her name, the Player of the Match was self selected, but aside from the pure statistics Beth Jones' all round game was excellent.

It was an entertaining game played in excellent spirit by both teams, who were commended afterwards by the referee. There’s now a two week break from the League with the DGLL Challenge Cup tie at Stanton Ilkeston next Sunday, 9th November (ko 1.30pm), and the Derbyshire FA Womens’ County Cup 2nd Round at Moorways the following week.