A later start for Chesterfield Ladies 2s today, but they were fired and ready to go. The mandate was clear; go out, play as a team, and bring home the result - TICK!
Faced with a team with an average age of 16…sorry 15, we knew we’d have to battle…

The game got off to a positive start for Chesterfield with 2 short corners in the first 10mins and though these weren’t converted, we were putting the pressure on.

Some great work across the midfield between Nic, Chloe, Elise and Kara leading to a crash ball from Abi G and a near miss by Elise. With the ball In our possession and some lovely one twos between the forwards of Jas, Abi.G and Abi.L another shot from Chloe was saved!

Minute 14 and with some more midfield - forward link ups, Goal 1 from Abi.L!!

Defence of Emma, Sarah, Jen and Anna were also wanting a piece of the action, leading to a pick up from Anna through to attack and another shot from Chloe was saved!

A counter attack from Rotherham but no fear it was cleared by Anna, and the cavalry of extra legs Heather H arrived!

Half time 1-0. An empowering team talk from Captain Em gave us the belief to go back out and do even better and to show the ‘average age of 15’ that we had skill and determination on our side!

A positive start to the 2nd half with lots of attacking play, an unconverted short and a saved shot from Elise.

However, after an unbelievable short clearance from 'Loz the incredible', Rotherham captain made a breakaway run and slotted home a deserved goal 1-1!

Unlike other occasions, Chesterfield heads did not go down, quite the opposite we responded with another smashing goal from Abi.L 2-1.

Now it was the turn of defence to step it up with a run of shorts, all of which, because of some lovely keeping and a very committed run back from Heather, were unconverted.

And at the opposite end Chesterfield were awarded a short and with Elise on her knees, the goal was converted 3-1

Again shortly after, a huge midfield-attacking push from Chesterfield and some lovely 1-2 balls like ‘at training’ - Chloe into Abi.L and Abi.L across the D to Elise and in 4-1!

And just when we hoped it was all over, a Rotherham short with Nic breaking too early and a retake saw an incredible stop on the line and clearance from Anna.

One more cheeky save from our very own Maddie Hinch and the score finished 4-1!

A team effort showing that experience outweighs youth…some of the time meant a team POM with outstanding recognition to Lauren in net.