The result was all the more remarkable taking into account what was a tricky build up match, with key players Lauren Walton and Lindsay Vaughan prevented from travelling under Tier 3 Covid restrictions.

Coach Christian Battye -

“I’m gutted for both of them, especially considering when you look at their circumstances. I don’t understand how you can work in a Tier 2 area five days a week but be stopped from playing the sport you love at weekends because you live a couple of miles the wrong side of a border. Like most Covid related rules, they don’t make much sense”.

On the match itself -
“The squad all pulled together and just went for it. Our pace and intensity was too much, our effort to win the ball back was fantastic. Even when things don’t go to plan, the team works incredibly hard for each other”

In wet, blustery conditions Chesterfield were out of the blocks first and dominated possession.

Skipper Ruth Elliot broke the deadlock from a penalty corner, then player of the match Amelie Young bagged her second goal in as many games to make it 2-0 at half time.

Despite a spirited effort from the home side, visitors Chesterfield ran away with the game in the second half. Elliot completed her second hat trick of the season with two fine goals and Maisie Prigent capped another assured performance with a well taken goal. Buxton pulled a goal back but to no avail, with the final score 5-1.

It’s now three wins from three for Elliot's side -

“I have to say once again, I am so proud of this team! We found out on Wednesday that 2 of our players were not allowed to play due to Tier 3 restrictions and are out of action for at least 3 more weeks. This could could have hindered us today but we pulled together and didn’t let it affect us. We started very well and continued to pile the pressure on, used our pace and got the ball forward quickly.

We’ve been working a lot in training on positioning and movement of the ball in the attacking circle and it’s great to see that paying off”

Next week Burton 2nd XI travel to Chesterfield in what is sure to be the toughest test yet for Elliot’s young side.

Line up -
Calderbank (GK); Ward, Moore, Spavold, Henman; Kenney, Elliot (c), Prigent; Young, Bond, Davies. Rotations - Fathers, Lord.

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Tier 3 Covid restrictions imposed on South Yorkshire put an abrupt halt to Chesterfields men’s first team this week.

With eight of the squad unable to travel out of South Yorkshire to play hockey, the game away at Birmingham side Streetly was reluctantly cancelled.

Captain Jon Moores outlined a testing few days for his side -

“With over half the boys living in South Yorkshire we are unable to field a side without causing players lower down the club to miss out on hockey. Training was difficult as it’s the last time we’ll see each other for a fair few weeks. At the moment the rest of the division are carrying on, so we’re in the dark a little bit. The league have told us they’ll review the situation in late November, which doesn’t really tell us a great deal”

Men’s coach Christian Battye was left scratching his head -

“The rules don’t make sense to me but we have to respect them. I’m gutted for all the lads as they were just hitting form and gelling nicely. We now have a situation where half of the team can train together but the other half are stuck across the border. One of them works in Chesterfield but at weekends isn’t allowed back into the area to play sport. It’s a farce to be honest. I think trying to complete the league season across the Midlands region is also ambitious. The league needs to look at this soon, rather than wait to review things at the end of November.”

Chesterfield were due to host Worcester this coming Saturday, but that fixture will be cancelled.