Chesterfield FC Women secured the league title with a 2-0 win against SJR Worksop at the SMH Group Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Elin Morin and Laura Porritt fired the Spireites to promotion to the fourth tier after successive years of finishing runners-up.
Manager Pete Jarvis lauded his side’s attitude, both on the day and throughout the season, saying: “There was bound to be a few nerves going into this sort of game, but we dealt with it incredibly well. We got the early goal, which really settled us down.
“The girls can handle the pressure so well; they have all done their jobs incredibly today, just a really professional job from us.
“We have needed a squad throughout the year; there have been 19 or 20 players who have been so committed and given so much to us.
“We have come second a few years running now, and we really wanted to get it over the line. It’s so rewarding for the girls to achieve that this year.”
It was a nervy start for the Spireites, who were playing in front of 756 fans at the SMH Group Stadium, but any jitters were soon squashed when they took an eighth minute lead.
Evie Carter laid off a short corner to Morin, who drove into the area, wrong-footed the defender and rifled her finish beyond the goalkeeper.
It was almost two shortly after when Sophie Bain struck from distance only to see her effort clip the top of the crossbar.
Morin continued to be a thorn in the side of SJR with her direct running, though several crosses evaded a blue shirt.
Chesterfield maintained the pressure and, with five minutes left of the half, doubled their lead.
With a strike worthy of winning any league title, Porritt let fire from outside the area, and she watched as it nestled in the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Paige Johnson was a spectator for most of the half, but on the cusp of halftime, she was called into action as she made a smart low stop.
After the break, Chesterfield continued to assert their dominance.
Sophie Marshall delivered two dangerous crosses into the area, which only narrowly evaded an outstretched boot on both occasions.
Pete Jarvis continually utilised his options on the bench as Chesterfield began to see the game out.
There was an opportunity for a third at the death when a queue of three players was unable to convert Morin’s pinpoint cross.
Then the referee called time on the game as the bench rushed onto the pitch and the celebrations commenced.
Up next is the final game of the season for the Spireites when they take on Derby County U21s in the County Cup final on April 19 as the side hopes to secure a cup double.
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