Chesterfield were Pride Park’s final league opposition of 2025. As the game was played on Chesterfield's 3G home pitch in Matlock, the game could be played despite the weather, although it was grey, misty and with rain through most of the game.

Beth Jones returned to the matchday squad after missing the Wirksworth game with an ankle injury and Jodie Hill continued to deputise in goal for Jade Howell. Ellie Coleman and Sophie Ayton were in the squad continuing their return from injuries, with Ellie in particular being re-integrated carefully after an 18 month layoff.

Pride made a promising start - Beth Jones putting in a low cross from the right that went across the face of goal with Daisy Bowen very close to getting on the end of it after 3 minutes. Chesterfield had their first opportunity four minutes later when Tash Collyer’s shot was blocked at one end, and Chesterfield broke quickly, their striker twisting and turning to get half a yard of space but her shot from the edge of the area cleared the crossbar.

Pride won a free kick about 23 yards out when Beth Jones turned a defender but was pulled back. Tash Collyer took the kick and bent her shot superbly around the wall and inside the far post to give Pride the lead after 11 minutes (0-1).

Clear chances were at a premium but Beth Jones almost extended the lead on 20 minutes when she latched on to a ball that had glanced off a defender’s head - but her shot crept just wide of the far post. Chesterfield had a good opportunity when their player found space behind the Pride’s defence but her shot was pulled just wide. There was an audacious attempt by Emma Gittins from half way, spotting the keeper out of goal she hit a first time effort, but wasn’t able to get it on target, and Tash Collyer had a good effort saved.

As half time approached Tash Collyer’s forward pass was missed by a defender and anticipated well by Steph Eadon, who nipped in front of the last defender to get a touch away, beating the advancing goalkeeper to the ball but her glancing shot at full stretch went agonisingly wide of the post.

Two minutes before the break Pride were awarded another free kick just outside the area but Tash Collyer couldn’t reprise her earlier strike, the kick this time being blocked by the defensive wall.

With clear chances difficult to come by set pieces were proving important and from another free kick, this time on the right, Tash Collyer hit the crossbar from 25 yards after 56 minutes. However, just after the hour another free kick was lifted into the penalty area by Tash Collyer, helped on by Ellie Coleman, and although a defender initially blocked it, the ball fell to Beth Jones and although she didn’t get a clean connection, her first time shot went under the keeper to make it 2-0 after 63 minutes.

Chesterfield were proving effective on the transition and Liv Phillips made an important intervention to put a diagonal cross out for a corner with a Chesterfield attacker poised to strike. From the resulting corner a Chesterfield header at the near post just cleared the crossbar. A couple of minutes later, however, Chesterfield pulled a goal back when, again on the transition, their striker was found in space to run through the centre and finish from the edge of the area (1-2) after 69 minutes.

Pride had several opportunities to make for a more comfortable end to the game, without being able to apply the finishing touch. Beth Jones went close after Jodie Hill’s kick was headed on by Tash Collyer after 72 mins, but under challenge from a defender she placed her shot just wide as the goalkeeper closed her down. Ten minutes later, Annie Laight’s pass split the midfield to find Beth Jones, but her shot on the turn was wide.

In the final five minutes, from Steph Eadon’s cushioned header a defender attempted to clear but it was charged down by Beth Jones and her first time shot hit the foot of the far post. There was havoc inside the Chesterfield six yard box from Steph Eadon’s corner as shots and clearances were blocked but Pride couldn’t find the decisive touch and the ball was eventually scrambled away.

The last two chances came in the final minute as Steph Eadon’s shot was saved by the keeper, and finally, Annie Laight’s superb delivery from a free kick just inside the Chesterfield half was met by Daisy Bowen but her header went just the wrong side of the post. Despite not being able to add to the score, Pride managed the closing stages of the game well to secure a valuable three points.

It is evident - and only to be expected - that as Pride face teams for the second time, the opposition are adjusting their game plans and presenting a different challenge - which makes a good result all the sweeter. That was certainly the case yesterday which made for a very good game which, in many respects was evenly matched - and arguably the most difficult game this season - but Pride created more chances and took just enough of them to come out on top.

This was probably a game that in the past may have ended in a draw or even a loss and reflects improved game management and out of possession work as a team. The defensive unit merit a special mention for a significant improvement this season with important contributions from all the players involved yesterday, several of which were contenders for Player of the Match. It was a photo finish with Loren Roberts just ahead for a good all round performance in an unfamiliar position and up against Chesterfield’s main goal threat and leading scorer.

At the half-way point of the league season Pride remain unbeaten with 8 wins from 9 games. Yesterday’s result extends their run to 15 league games unbeaten going back to January. There’s two cup fixtures remaining this month, the first of which is at Moorways next Sunday when Long Eaton Utd Development are the visitors for the DGLL Challenge Cup quarter-final (ko 1.30pm)