On a chilly November early morning, 7th-placed Chesterfield Ladies 2s travelled to 4th placed Sheffield 4s in what proved to be a fiercely contested and highly entertaining match.

The opening 35 minutes were a thrilling end-to-end battle, with both sides carving out chances but unable to find the breakthrough. Chesterfield’s defence—Emma, Holly, Anna, Lucy and Alex—held strong against early Sheffield pressure, while the midfield unit of Kara, Kelly, Gracie and Nehir worked tirelessly to turn defence into attack.
Up front, Jodie, Esme, Abi and Flo were constantly probing, and it was just before the break when the deadlock was finally broken. At 35 minutes, Esme slipped a perfectly weighted assist through to Abi, who calmly slotted home to give Chesterfield a well-earned 1–0 lead at half-time.

Sheffield came out of the break fast and immediately hit their stride, striking twice in quick succession in the 36th and 38th minutes to swing the score to 2–1. But despite the setback, Chesterfield refused to back down. Led by Lauren’s assured presence in goal and Lucy’s relentless energy on her return from the 1s, the team dug deep and fought for every ball.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 63rd minute, with a beautifully rehearsed penalty corner routine. Emma delivered a pinpoint injection to Holly, who unleashed a thunderous strike straight into the back of the net—no chance for the keeper and a fully deserved equaliser.
Chesterfield pushed hard for the winner. Jodie was denied only by the cruel thud of the post, and Kara produced a fantastic strike that flew straight into the goal—but frustratingly, just from outside the D. As the team groaned, it really did feel like it needed just a little dink.

The squad worked seamlessly across all lines, and special credit goes to Gracie, Alex and Flo—all stepping up from the 3s and looking completely at home in the 2s shirt. Their composure, energy and adaptability were standout features of the performance.

The match finished 2–2, but Chesterfield’s grit, teamwork and unshakeable spirit were the real story of the day. Against higher-ranked opposition, they showed determination, flair, and a belief that carried them through a hard-fought battle.
A superb performance from every player on the pitch—this is a team continuing to grow in confidence and cohesion each week.
POM was awarded to Jodie
Match Report by Kara