In the second of back to back games against second placed Castle Donington, Pride Park required a draw to be confirmed as league winners and, whilst having three further games to secure the necessary points were focused on wanting to “get the job done”, whilst recognising the games against Castle Donington have been very closely contested.

Pride had a full squad including Aimee Healy-Raynor, who returned to the matchday squad for the first time since the beginning of March, after missing four games through injury.

Pride made a businesslike start and made the early running; the first attempt on goal came when Beth Jones made a strong run down the left, cut inside and along the edge of the area before shooting just wide after 9 minutes. Jones was just off target again five minutes later, hitting a shot just over the bar after a driving run.

Pride were close to opening the scoring after 15 minutes - when Beth Jones collected Sophie Ayton’s throw in near the goalline, turned and hit a low cross across the face of goal - Summer Evans couldn’t quite connect at the near post and Liv Phillips in a great position at the far post couldn’t quite get the connection required and scuffed her shot into the grateful ‘keepers’ hands.

Two minutes later Pride were awarded a penalty. Daisy Bowen slipped a short pass to Tash Collyer in space, her first touch took her into the area and she was caught by a defender’s challenge from behind, falling into another player. Tash picked herself up and calmly side footed the penalty wide of the keeper to give The Pride a 1-0 lead.

Beth Jones hooked a shot just wide of the post after 23 minutes before Castle Donington’s first chance came three minutes later, after a run down the left the attacker cut inside but her shot drifted just wide of the far post.

Tash Collyer went close from a free kick from 30 yards that just cleared the crossbar, and Megan Nowak, Beth Jones and Summer Evans also had chances saved or blocked before The Pride extended their lead after 40 minutes. From Tash Collyer’s corner kick Megan Nowak stepped off her marker and redirected the ball between the keeper and player on the post from 8 yards to score her first competition goal for The Pride (2-0)

Castle Donington responded with an attack finishing with a shot well held by Jade Howell. A minute into added time Rachel Weaver and Beth Jones combined on the left, before Beth slipped the ball infield to Steph Eadon, who flicked the ball up with her left foot before turning and hitting a half volley from 30 yards that dipped over the goalkeeper and hit the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net (3-0). Any shot that goes in off the bar always has that little Xtra factor and this one was a stunner.

Pride had made most of the running in the first half, limiting Castle Donington to one clear opportunity, and played some good football and were worthy of their 3-0 lead. Unfortunately, Castle Donington’s cause wasn’t helped when they were reduced to ten players through injury just before half time.

The numerical advantage and three goal cushion allowed for plenty more rotation of players in the second half and Pride created a string of chances; Beth Jones had a fierce shot turned round the post by the keeper, Megan Nowak’s “dipper” from 30 yards hit the top of the crossbar, and Megan also headed just wide from a corner, as did Ellie-Mae Coleman. Steph Eadon attempted a reprise of her first half goal but this time her shot cleared the crossbar, and Tash Collyer’s shot on the edge of the area was blocked, falling to Ellie Coleman and her shot was saved. Hannah Roberts shot over and also headed over from six yards, although it would have been ruled out for offside had it been on target.

Having a numerical advantage allowed Pride to play the ball with freedom but, it also invited overplaying and this resulted in loss of possession in midfield; a quick Castle Donington break caught Pride out of shape and position, allowing Emma Hawkins to cut inside and slot the ball past Jade Howell to pull a goal back for the hosts after 78 minutes.

The three goal cushion was restored two minutes later, however, after Liv Philipps was fouled on the edge of the penalty area and to the side of the goal. Tash Collyer lifted the free kick over the defensive wall and into the far top corner - a precisely taken free kick to match her excellent corners.

There were two further opportunities for The Pride, Daisy Bowen shooting wide and, in time added on, Beth Jones heading over from a corner with the last action of the game to cue jubilant celebrations amongst the Pride’s players and supporters. The win extended the winning run to a remarkable 21 games unbeaten in the League starting half way through last season and confirmed Pride Park as Derbyshire Ladies League champions for the first time with three games still to play.

After winning and scoring a penalty and a scoring second goal from a free kick, providing an assist, and several goal scoring chances from excellent deliveries from corners, to cap off an all round captain’s performance of high energy, the Player of the Match was Tash Collyer.

There will be time to reflect on the season and the progress made but Pride have three games remaining starting with a trip to Duffield Dynamo next Sunday 3rd May (ko 1.30pm), before a midweek game at Draycott Victoria on 6th May and the season concluding fixture at Moorways against Matlock Town on 10th May.