The squad’s depth came into this its own for the second time in a few weeks; despite several players being unavailable and no cover at centre back or central midfield in the event of an injury, Pride were still able to put out 2 substitutes, contrasting with Draycott who had no substitutes for this game, which was played on Wednesday evening. The game also marked Sophie Ayton’s 200th appearance for The Pride - only the second player to achieve this milestone.

There was a nice and much appreciated gesture from the hosts prior to kick off at the coin toss when the Draycott skipper presented Tash Collyer with a bottle of bubbly to celebrate winning the League.

Pride made a quick start to the game, generating five shots in the opening ten minutes. The best of these fell to Summer Evans on 9 minutes, the keeper saving, and a minute later when Daisy Bowen’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper who then saved Tash Collyer’s shot from the rebound.

Beth Jones made a surging run down the left before cutting inside and hitting a driven shot which was tipped over by the keeper after 17 minutes. A minute later Beth had another opportunity and hit her shot off target, when on this occasion Summer Evans was placed in space and probably the better option.

After the breathtaking opening ten minutes the game settled down a little. The next moment of note came on 25 minutes when Jas Sanghera’s defence splitting through ball for Daisy Bowen was flagged offside. It didn’t look the right call, leaving Daisy visibly frustrated.

That was forgotten two minutes later, however, when the breakthrough finally came. Draycott attempted a short corner but it was anticipated and intercepted by Beth Jones at the angle of the penalty area, and she went on a driving run up the right wing carrying her half way into Draycott’s half, matched stride for stride by a Draycott player, until Beth played the ball into the middle to Summer Evans, her first touch took her into the area and, sidestepping the defender, she hit a shot across the keeper and into the far corner [1-0]. It was an excellent goal both in the creation and execution.

There were further chances for Beth Jones, Hannah Roberts, Rachel Weaver, Tash Collyer and Summer Evans but Pride were unable to add to the scoreline, whilst Draycott had mustered two shots, both off target, in the first half. Possibly the only criticism of Pride’s first half performance was that they hadn’t made more of the chances they had created - and at half time it was advantage Pride at 1-0

Due to the risk of fading light it was a quick turnaround at half time. Pride had a couple of early attacks at the start of the second period, but the ball just ran through to the keeper. Draycott had a couple of free kicks from distance - on or around the half way line - which were lifted into the penalty area; Jade Howell collected one and the other bounced in front of goal and over the crossbar.

Eliot Sayavong’s high ball forward behind the defence found Aimee Healy-Raynor and Summer Evans through on goal after 51 minutes, Summer reaching the ball just ahead of the keeper but steering her shot wide.

There was an inviting cross from wide on the right by Tash Collyer which was just cut out by a defensive header with Aimee Healy-Raynor poised in a good position.

The frequency of shooting opportunities was significantly reduced compared to the first half, and Pride’s failure to make more of their first half chances was punished on 59 minutes when Draycott drew level. Draycott advanced down the right flank and from a cross played in towards the centre, Lucy Ferris found the space between Eliot Sayavong and Liv Phillips and steered the ball past Jade Howell from 7 yards.

On the hour Rachel Weaver played a pass down the line for Daisy Bowen, who was flagged offside. It was a clear mistake and appeared to be a case of seeing the player receive the ball ahead of defenders rather than when the ball was played - as Daisy was several yards onside at that point with more than one defender ahead of her.

With twenty minutes left to play, Draycott were reduced to ten when one of their players, who had been suffering from cramp intermittently since the first half, finally succumbed and had to leave the pitch.

Jade Howell did extremely well to come and claim a high lofted ball under challenge after 79 minutes, and from the ensuing build up Beth Jones was offside from Sophie Ayton’s pass behind the defence.

The game was much more open than in the first half with neither team settling for the draw. Draycott had come out stronger since half time and the equaliser had fired them up even more. Pride had played some good football in patches, but were over-complicating things at times and in a game that was finely balanced sensible game management was needed as the game entered the final ten minutes.

It was concerning, therefore, to concede a corner needlessly when a Draycott player was hemmed in by two players at the corner flag,
inviting a touch to put the ball out of play - and Pride duly obliged. Fortunately, the corner didn’t come to anything and was cleared.

With seven minutes of normal time to play, following a combination between Sophie Ayton, Jas Sanghera and Tash Collyer the ball was played into the right channel for a race between Beth Jones and a Draycott defender, both players fell in a tangle of legs, Beth got up quickly and drove infield amid protests from the Draycott players - hitting a left foot shot the keeper could only parry and Rachel Weaver was on hand in line with the far post to half volley in to the net from 7 yards [2-1]. The protests continued but the referee, who had as good a view as anybody, was unmoved.

As the clock ran down, Draycott were awarded an avoidable indirect free kick in the centre of goal about 22 yards out. The kick was taken twice - Summer Evans being cautioned after being too enthusiastic to close down and blocking the first attempt. On the second attempt the kick cleared the wall but was held by Jade Howell.

As the 90th minute came up Summer Evans was brought down on half way, the referee allowing the advantage as Tash Collyer put Daisy Bowen through on goal - but in trying to bring the bobbling ball under control the defender was able to recover and under challenge Daisy’s shot was wide of goal.

Draycott almost drew level with the last kick of the game - the ball was played out wide to the right, from where a cross - or shot - it was difficult to be sure, was hit towards goal - everyone in the centre froze until it rebounded off the crossbar and came out to the edge of the area on the other side of the goal as the referee brought the game to an end.

As is usually the case between Draycott and Pride Park it was a tenacious and competitive game, which at times made it scrappy, but nonetheless enjoyable. Pride have shown variation in how they play and get results more than once this season - an aspect of their play that has developed considerably - and this was definitely in the "grinding out" results category against a resilient and experienced opponent.

There was a split vote for Player of the match so the accolade is shared between Summer Evans for a battling, non stop performance - never giving the Draycott defenders a moment’s rest and capping a fine performance with a well taken goal, whilst Megan Nowak was a commanding presence at the heart of the defence, breaking up attacks and bringing the ball forward for The Pride.

The final game of a historic league winning season is this Sunday at Moorways against Matlock Town. The game is being played on the 3G as the County Athletic Championships are being held in the stadium. Kick off is at 1.30pm. The plan was for the League trophy and winners medals to be presented by the League after the game - we are currently waiting for an update as the League were still awaiting delivery earlier in the week.