A venue switch to Castle Donington ensured the game had every chance of going ahead after a two-month break from competitive football for the team due postponed matches.

After an understandably slow start from both sides, the early stages saw some good midfield battles as PPFC settled into a strong passing rhythm, ensuring they didn’t allow the opposition to dictate the game. PPFC had some good early chances, with a few shots on target and a couple of corners that added pressure in the opposition’s half.

PPFC enjoyed plenty of possession, but Stretton began to grow into the game, creating a few shots of their own and mounting several attacks that were well managed by the PPFC defence. A lack of recent match practice and some fatigue started to show late in the first half, but PPFC stuck to their tasks and routines, working the ball out wide and looking to get in behind Stretton’s back line.

It was good first half and PPFC were settling into their game play. At half-time the coaches asked the players to have a bit more belief — and it proved crucial.

The half-time rally from both players and coaches certainly paid off. On 43 minutes, Eloise found Yumi in space on the right. Her wonderful and tenacious run down the wing, shrugging off a couple of tackles, led to a perfectly weighted low cross into the six-yard box, which was met and clinically finished by Emily.

The goal settled PPFC, and just five minutes later Emily struck again. Some excellent hold-up play and another strong run down the wing by Yumi followed by a sharp cut-back to Fliss just inside the edge of the 18-yard box. Her curling effort was parried by the opposition goalkeeper into the path of an onrushing Emily, who finished from close range to put Pride Park 2–0 up.

The final 30 minutes of the game mirrored much of the first half, but with greater control, composure, and an attack-minded PPFC side in full flow. Several very close chances followed, reflecting PPFC's all round team performance and effort.

At times, PPFC defended from the front, and this return to action certainly required the attacking tenacity of the forwards. A big shout-out goes to Brooke, Emily, Isla, Eloise, Yumi, and Anya, who led the team together from the front with energy and commitment.

Player of the Match: Aoife — for her tenacity, battling presence in midfield, and all-round composure throughout the match.