For the first 20 minutes Gresley looked a class apart in difficult conditions and quickly raced to a 4-0 lead, with some well placed passes threaded between the Belper defence and some clinical finishing.

However rather than capitulate, Belper rose to the occasion and matched Gresley’s fight and organisation. They worked themselves back into the game, starting to play some of their passing football and looked a threat in attack whilst a reorganised defensive shape and some outstanding saves from Leah Parkin in goal kept the Gresley attack at bay.

In the second half Belper were the better side and played some neat football, Maria Alexander in particular working hard to win the midfield battle to allow Belper’s forward players to have more influence, without creating too many clear cut chances that might have closed some of the gap in the scoreline.

In the end it was Gresley who grabbed a 5th late on but the spirit and fight of these girls throughout the match was amazing to watch and credit to each and every one of them for their efforts today.

Belper Town Reserves: Parkin, Gotheridge, Parker, Kington, Wright, Alexander, Whitehead, Needham, Murfin, Browne, Burke (C)

Subs: Simms, G. Lowe, Billyeald