The top two teams met at Moorways on Sunday in what could prove to be a decisive match. The last two meetings - in the Cups - ended all square and could only be decided on penalties and another closely contested game was anticipated.

Pride made a good start to the game, enjoying good possession and territory and went ahead with only six minutes played after a corner was dropped in the centre of goal and right under the crossbar - a terrific delivery by Tash Collyer - and was forced over the line by Sophie Ayton.

Daisy Bowen went close a couple of minutes later, getting to Beth Jones’ defence splitting pass just before the ‘keeper, but couldn’t quite direct it on target.

Castle Donington forced a save from Jade Howell from a free kick from the edge of the area just after the quarter hour, before Jas Sanghera headed over the bar from a corner and Daisy Bowen had a shot blocked.

Just before the half hour Pride won a corner, Hannah Roberts’ downward header was blocked, the ball bouncing up - and Sophie Ayton’s header was blocked on the line by the raised hand of a Castle Donington defender. It was an open and shut case of handball but, presumably, the referee was unsighted as play was allowed to continue. A few minutes later Summer Evans almost capitalised on another superb delivery from a corner by Tash Collyer, but her header was cleared off the line.

Much as in the cup semi-final at the beginning of March, Pride were pushing and creating chances, with Castle Donington defending strongly and looking to counter. It was from a counter attack that Castle Donington levelled the scores after 34 minutes - a break down the Castle Donington left culminated in a low cross that was half cleared to the edge of the area, and swept home by the attacker.

After a good opening spell from Pride Park, the equaliser gave Castle Donington a lift and the visitors started to build momentum and look more threatening - and two minutes into added time at the end of the first half there was a let off for The Pride when the back line attempted to step out - always a risky ploy - leaving a Castle Donington player to run through unchallenged but, fortunately for Pride Park, she shot wide

HT 1-1

Castle Donington began the second half where they had left off the first and made a good start, creating three chances in the opening four minutes of the second half. With the scores level the game was finely balanced and it was concerning for The Pride that Castle Donington were getting through so easily.

After those opening few minutes, however, Pride settled and started to build momentum, almost taking the lead just before the hour after a flowing move of first time passing. Sophie Ayton’s throw to Megan Nowak was turned inside to Emma Gittins, her slide rule pass forward to Summer Evans was swept wide to Sophie Ayton, and she crossed low across the six yard box - the cross evaded the first defender and Summer’s outstretched foot - but under challenge from a defender Beth Jones turned the ball agonisingly just the wrong side of the post. It was a pity as it would have been a fine goal!

Summer Evans and Daisy Bowen were both found in good positions but they weren’t able to get the connection they’d have wanted and the goalkeeper was able to gather in their shots without too much trouble.

After another flowing move involving Rachel Weaver, Summer Evans and Daisy Bowen, there was a chance for Daisy but her shot was lifted just wide under challenge from a defender.

Steph Eadon had a shot blocked just in front the of the goal line as Pride Park built up a head of attacking steam. It was important Ito capitalise on this good spell and after 66 minutes they had the lead again. From another Tash Collyer corner Beth Jones headed in at the near post (2-1). Shortly afterwards another corner lead to an overhead kick by Sophie Ayton, and from the rebound off a defender Summer Evans’ instinctive strike from six yards hit the crossbar and went over.

Beth Jones, Steph Eadon and Summer Evans combined on the right, before Summer put a looping cross into the centre and Beth Jones beat the defender in the air to head past the keeper from six yards after 85 minutes (3-1). Three minutes later, Daisy Bowen held her run before taking Beth Jones’ through ball in her stride, holding off the last defender’s challenge before slotting past the keeper from 12 yards (4-1).

The scoring was completed on 90 minutes, when Megan Nowak’s free kick found Daisy Bowen, she rounded the last defender and placed her shot wide of the keeper (5-1).

The four remaining minutes passed without notable incident as Pride recorded an important win - their 20th game unbeaten in the League - to put them 11 points clear with four games to play.

It was another closely fought game between two sides with contrasting styles and strengths. Castle Donington were once again well organised with a good defensive shape. Pride played some good football and created chances and were also a threat from corners - but stepped up offensively after the break in particular, and were clinical in the second half with three goals from seven on target. It was particularly striking that there were attempts on goal from eight different players for The Pride.

There were good performances throughout the squad, and it’s somewhat at odds with a team game to select a Player of the Match. Nevertheless there were some particularly noteworthy performances. After a stalemate in the cup six weeks ago, the Pride’s attacking force eventually came out on top this time; Daisy Bowen will be pleased to have returned to scoring form - a just reward for a prodigious workrate throughout the game. Beth Jones bagged a brace of headers - from a corner and from a superb cross by Summer Evans, who was a thorn in the side of the Castle Donington defence. Sophie Ayton also proved a threat from Tash Collyer’s excellent corners and Steph Eadon proved the old adage to “make your minutes count” to come on to good effect, initially stabilising the midfield at the end of the first half and increasingly providing forward momentum after the interval.

The teams play each other again next Sunday in the return fixture at Castle Donington (ko 1.30pm).