Heavy pitch forces abandonment with scores level

Overnight rain had left the match in some doubt and both goalmouths as well as the centre circle areas were swamp-like by kick off.

To their credit, both teams adapted well to the conditions in terms of how to play but judging tackles was difficult with players sliding much further than they normally would.

The hosts created the first opportunity on three minutes when a precise through ball from Rachel Broughton-Mee found Lucy Ferris but Hannah Whysall produced a great save at her near post.

A couple of minutes later at the other end Belper were nearly ahead when Alice Faulding charged down an attempted clearance from the goalkeeper who was left stranded. The ball fell to Mia Carnelley who saw her effort from range stopped just before the goal line by a covering defender.

Carnelley had a scent for goal by this point and seconds later she fired in another shot which whistled just over the bar.

In the 14th minute Belper had to reshuffle when Whysall was forced off with a head injury after a collision. Leighanne Powles stepped up to take responsibility and go between the sticks, a role she had performed previously and she did not look out of place.

The half hour mark saw a Sarah Roberts free kick drop to Faulding, her shot from ten yards was well saved by Kimberly Jeffery.

In the 38th minute, Erin Smith swung in a free kick from the left for Draycott which Powles got a hand to and tipped behind.

From the resulting corner however Belper couldn't clear their lines, not helped by the state of the pitch and Broughton-Mee took advantage, a shot from close range which was past Powles before she could react.

A couple of minutes before the break, Faulding battled well to win back possession and fired off a shot from 20 yards which fizzed just wide.

Belper equalised in the last minute of normal time in the first half. It started with great work from Hollie Thompson who had been moved to the right wing. She beat her player before crossing for Alex Holland, her first effort was saved but she smashed home the rebound to level the scores.

In injury time, Ferris found herself through on goal but a fantastic save from Powles kept it at 1-1.

The referee gathered both managers together following the half time whistle and explained his decision to abandon the match due to unsafe conditions following the head injury and several mistimed tackles due to the pitch.

The match is now scheduled for Sunday, 5th May.

The Ladies Reserve Team saw their Cup match at home to Amber Valley Ladies postponed.

Draycott Victoria (squad): Blood, Davies, Downing, Ennis, Ferris, Jeffery, Keeling, Lambert, Loughenberry, Broughton-Mee, E. Smith, J. Smith, Upton.

Belper Town: Whysall, Powles, Walker, Layton, Pickard (C), Roberts, Bennett, Holland, Thompson, Carnelley, Faulding.
Subs: Buxton, Dutton, Needham, Rossa.

Referee: Jacob Curd