A weather disrupted start to 2026 means this was The Pride’s first game in a month and only their second in two months - in contrast to their opponents for which this was a fourth game of the year, although it was a depleted Duffield at Moorways yesterday so any advantage from continuity was outweighed by the numerical imbalance.

Summer Evans was back in the matchday squad for the first time since picking up a knee injury early in November, and there was a debut for Megan Nowak.

It was a low key start to the game but Pride got their noses in front early - Otty Baker giving them the lead after only 4 minutes; as the ball broke she swivelled and hit a first time shot on the turn from 25 yards that looped over the keeper (1-0)

Annie Laight’s pass forward to Daisy Bowen was laid off to Beth Jones, who played Tash Collyer in and she lifted the ball over the advancing keeper from the edge of the area to put The Pride 2-0 up after 10 minutes.

However, the remainder of the first half didn’t shape up as might be expected - Pride looked like a team that hadn’t played much lately - with combinations breaking down amidst a general lack of sharpness. Duffield made it difficult, but there was a tendency to try to pick out difficult passes through the crowded centre, when wider options and space were available.

Despite Pride having a numerical advantage Duffield were able to build and get forward more than would have been liked. Sloppiness in possession at the back from The Pride gave Duffield opportunities after 13 minutes - a comfortable save for Jade Howell, and three minutes later a more dangerous effort from 30 yards, which Jade did well to tip over the bar - although these were the only shots Duffield mustered.

Nevertheless, there were some promising moments which didn’t quite come off; Hannah Roberts almost picked her way through, but the keeper came out to smother the ball, Daisy Bowen was played through by Tash Collyer but the keeper was out sharply to block, and Daisy also had a close range shot tipped onto the post by the keeper, the rebound only just eluding Aimee Healy-Raynor.

It was an improved second half from The Pride, as better decision making and use of the space, while closing down Duffield’s players and restricting their passing options, enabled Pride to keep Duffield in their own half for the majority of the second period. Duffield still defended doggedly and made it difficult, but Pride made better use of the options, created more chances and looked more threatening from them.

The best of these came after 54 minutes when Beth Jones was played in by a slide rule pass by Emma Gittins, but her shot was well saved low down by the keeper. A minute later Daisy Bowen played a forward pass to Beth Jones, who laid the ball off to Tash, and after a couple of strides she hit a low shot back across the the ‘keeper and into the far side of the net to extend The Pride’s lead (3-0)

As the hour came up, Megan Nowak picked out Beth Jones’ run from half way inside her own half, and Beth slotted wide of the advancing keeper (4-0). It was Beth Jones again after 66 minutes - latching on to the ball from a Duffield throw in near the corner, she smashed a rising shot beyond the keeper and in at the far post from a tight angle (5-0)

Tash Collyer completed the scoring, and her hat-trick, from the penalty spot on 71 minutes after Beth Jones had been brought down near the goal line. It was the midfielder’s first hat-trick since a cup game in March 2024, and her first in the League since June 21.

In the closing stages Summer Evans headed just wide, Aimee Healy-Raynor had a shot narrowly wide, Jasmin Sanghera’s shot from distance looked like it might just beat the keeper but it was well saved, and Hannah Roberts had a close range effort saved. In her first game for Duffield the keeper saved the best until last - a double save from Beth Jones after 80 minutes.

After a slightly rusty first half it was an improved second half from The Pride. It was a game under the belt, at last, and an important three points. It’s also always good to get a clean sheet - and this was Jade Howell’s 4th clean sheet of the season in the league and fifth overall - her best return for a season already.

The hat-trick for Tash Collyer just gets the nod for Player of the Match, with an honourable “mention in despatches” for Emma Gittins who made a number of key interceptions and used the ball well.

The Pride can now look forward to the Challenge Cup semi-Final at Castle Donington next Sunday (KO 1.30pm).