Chesterfield let a two-goal lead slip but came away with a deserved point as they drew 2-2 with tier three side Loughborough Lightning on Thursday evening in the FA Women’s National League Cup.
First-half strikes from Imogen Fowler and Amy Nowell had put the Spireites in the ascendancy at the break, but the hosts fought back to rescue a point late on.
The result leaves Group R finely poised heading into the final game, when Chesterfield host Sheffield FC at the SMH Group Stadium on 27th September as they look to secure passage through to the next round.
Manager Pete Jarvis was thrilled with the attacking intent shown by his side from the very first minute, saying: “I thought we were competitive through the whole game. We had more opportunities in the first half and took them really well. One set piece and one open play.
“It was a really good performance from us overall, and significantly better than when we played them last time just a couple of weeks ago.”
After the irony of the previous fixture against Loughborough Lightning, which was abandoned due to lightning, both teams were eager to get off to a fast start.
It was the hosts who had the first chance as Gabriella Spillman went close, before Isabelle Conway forced Zoe Millington into a smart save on the follow-up.
But with only nine minutes played, it was the Spireites who took the lead.
Fowler cut inside from the left wing and curled her effort over Beatrice Kingerley, who could only stand and watch as the ball nestled in the far corner.
Loughborough tried to respond, but Chesterfield were resolute in their defending, with Nowell and Emily Cahill producing crunching challenges in quick succession.
Nowell was then involved at the other end as she put her side two goals to the good in the 27th minute.
In her usual style, which fans have become so accustomed to, Nowell rose highest in the area from a corner and powered her header past the helpless keeper.
It was one-way traffic before the break as Lexie Butterworth had two sights of goal that missed by the smallest of margins.
Loughborough came out after the break like a side determined to prove why they are a division above Chesterfield.
They continued to knock on the door until, on the hour mark, Spillman halved the deficit.
A defensive mix-up fell kindly to the forward, who prodded her finish past Millington.
Less than two minutes later, it was only luck that kept Chesterfield in the lead as a strike from close range cannoned down off the crossbar and onto the goal line, where it was then hacked to safety.
The Spireites did enjoy a couple of counter-attacks but couldn’t find that all-important final touch.
Then, with only seven minutes left, Loughborough drew things level.
Nia Davies was the quickest to react following a Ferne Powell free-kick and nodded home from six yards out.
Both sides pushed for a winner, but it wasn’t forthcoming and they settled for a point, which on reflection was a fair result for both teams.
Chesterfield: Millington, Ashtei, Warren, Nowell (Harding 61), Staples, Bain (Brassington 74), Brogan (Foster 46), Cahill, Fowler, Carter (Marshall 61), Butterworth (Shore 61).
