Belper Ladies 2 - 4 Pride Park Ladies

Belper started the game at a hard aggressive tempo with some early committed tackles and ball possession. The strategy paid off with an early run on goal by Leah Parkin and with some skill resulted in an early goal.
Belper maintained possession and was credited with another goal not long after with a strong attack allowing Alice Liggett to put Belper 2 up with a well taken effort in front of goal.
Pride Park was not to be out done and regrouped and a well taken effort from twenty yards out gave goal keeper Emma Varnam little chance.
Some excellent defending by Beth Parker, Emma Newton, Emma Pickard and Helen Colwill caught Pride Park off side time and time again.
Belper were unlucky in a short spell which resulted in two goals against the run of play. One from a goal mouth scrambles which the referee judged to have crossed the line. Another was from a corner which hit a Pride Park player and went into the Belper goal.

Half time Belper 2 - 3 Pride Park

Belper retained their concentration for the second half with some excellent midfield and forward work from Helen Tunnicliffe, Kelly Turner and Sue Thornhill.
Jemma Wheatley maintained a presence in midfield with some telling passes resulting in Belper hitting the cross bar and post.
Pride Park Ladies maintained the pressure which resulted in a solo effort on goal from distance. As Belper tired Pride Park made their superior numbers and tactical substitutions pay, making space which and creating oppertunities which were only prevented by some fantastic brave goal keeping from Emma Varnam.

This game was a fine example of local Ladies Football in Belper.

Dame of the game: Emma Varnam