Manager Matt Chatfield welcomed back key players and was able to hand debuts to Romy Sheppard and Brooke Smith.

Belper had a great chance to open the scoring two minutes in, with Evie Jowett getting on the end of a long ball but Hollie Jary-Mappin was out early to block.

The visitors took the lead on four minutes following an action packed phase of play. Abby Watkinson received the ball at the back post initially and forced a great save out of Maggie Buxton. From the corner, Demi West headed against the crossbar and from the second corner, Watkinson headed home. It would be the first of four goals the outstanding Handsworth striker would bag.

In the 12th minute, Harriet Lloyd chested the ball before swerving and volleying just wide as Handsworth continued to push forward.

They eventually doubled their lead 21 minutes in and a corner was Belper's undoing once again. This one was diverted in at the near post by Brooke Chapell.

The Nailers had an opportunity to get back in to the match on 24 minutes, Lauren Haslam providing a great ball to Jowett but once again Jary-Mappin was off her line and managed to block.

Watkinson made it three in the 28th minute when she got on the end of a lofted through-ball and finished past Buxton.

Ten minutes later, Lloyd tried her luck from range but Buxton was equal to it.

Two minutes after half-time, Watkinson was played in by Hollie Barker but again Buxton was able to make the save.

However, Watkinson did complete her hat trick on 48 minutes. She collected the ball 22 yards from goal before sending the ball in to the corner of the net beyond Buxton's reach.

Not content with four goals, Handsworth maintained the pressure and Lloyd had another long range effort saved by Buxton before Watkinson's cross probably should have been diverted home by Barker although she was under pressure when she received the ball.

Any lingering hopes of a Belper comeback were extinguished in the 57th minute. Lloyd found Watkinson who produced a fantastic chip from the edge of the box to make it five.

On 64 minutes, West fired in to the side netting after a layoff from Ellie Hollis-Bland.

With eight minutes remaining, Katie Jepson fed Watkinson who produced a rare shot off target!

The 84th minute saw Flo Wakefield fire just wide for Belper before Handsworth broke down the other end and Watkinson's shot was tipped on to the bar by Buxton.

The final action of the match saw Wakefield through on the left, she produced a great effort across goal and brought an equally good save out of Jary-Mappin who thoroughly earned her clean sheet.

So Belper taste league defeat for the first time this season, with only the penalty shootout loss at Spalding in the books previously. Plenty of positive signs as the Nailers take a break from the league next weekend with a Cup match at Newport Pagnell Town.

Belper Town: Buxton, Sheard, Smith, Wilkins, Claxton, Worrall, Haslam, Sheppard, Jowett, Faulding, H, James (C)
Subs: Pickard, Carnelley, A. James, Wakefield, Sementish-Wright

Handsworth: Jary-Mappin, Fowler, West, Corke, Jepson, Watkinson, Barker, Chapell, Hollis-Bland, Rissbrook, Lloyd
Subs: Rochester-Jones, Parlett, Brennan

Referee: Glyn Owen