Chesterfield ladies kicked off the 2024-5 season with a very young team of only 11 players. During the warm up we noticed that the opposition had no goalkeeper and were playing with 11 outfield players.
Even if there were a few butterflies Chesterfield started brightly with lots of action around in the oppositions half. It wasn’t long until an interchange of play along the left hand side between Chloe M and Nic who fired the ball into Gracie who turned and slotted it into the net.

However, this marginally lead was not kept for long as Sheffield used their extra player to overload Chesterfield’s D and even with the defence of Emma, Abi and Anna all marking players have a shot on goal. The ball managed to slip goalkeeper Lauren and Sheffield equalised. Chesterfield were not phased by this and continued to attack with some great passes between Gracie and Macie on the right hand side trying to get the ball to Esme who was loitering on the back post. Both teams had a furry of short corners but neither were able to capitalise.

After many attacks from Chesterfield a second goal hit home by Esme, after an excellent spell of play from the midfield of Macie, Chloe M, Gracie, Nic and Freya. But Sheffield continued to attack in numbers. A second goal for Sheffield happened after a shot was fired in the D was intercepted by Emma but unfortunately found its way into to a waiting Sheffield player who lifted it over Lauren.

During half time Chesterfield ladies were told to focus on marking and shot sharp passes to each other. But with only 11 player against a team with at least four substitutes Chesterfield started to tire.
During the second half everyone on team worked hard to intercept and run with the ball but Sheffield more rested players took advantage their extra player on the pitch. As Chesterfield tried to attack and push the defense up the pitch Sheffield would counter attack with numbers. Eventually Sheffield scored with seven attackers flooding the Chesterfield D. This match ended 3-2 to Sheffield. There were many players from Chesterfield voted for the player of the match showing the effort put in by everyone. But with three votes Nic gained the first player of the match for the 2024-5 season with the 10km she ran during the match.