Natasha Baptiste’s brace condemned the Spireites to a 2-0 defeat against Lye Town on Sunday afternoon in the FA Women’s National League.
The Lye captain struck either side of half-time to hand Chesterfield their third league defeat of the season.
Manager Pete Jarvis reflected on a ‘tough afternoon’, saying: “The first goal changed the game today after we gave the ball away. It gave them the opportunity to control the game after that.
“I thought there were quite a few strange decisions. The penalty and the whole process around it, after initially giving a free-kick and then changing the decision a few seconds later to give a penalty.
“We said before the game that there would be no easy matches. They were really strong and physical, they won most of their duels against us today, and that gave them a big advantage.”
It was a difficult start to the afternoon for Chesterfield before a ball had even been kicked, with goalkeeper Zoe Millington ruled out before kick-off and outfielder Lauren Brogan stepping in between the posts.
The makeshift goalkeeper was tested in the opening minutes but made a couple of good saves.
Chesterfield had the first clear chance when Ruby Shore broke through in the 12th minute, only to be denied by Pharyn Ashton’s outstretched boot.
The hosts came close again shortly afterwards, but Ashton thwarted Imogen Fowler from close range.
Lye gradually grew into the game, with a speculative effort clipping the top of the bar.
Then, in first-half stoppage time, Demi Walker played an inch-perfect pass to Baptiste, who prodded the ball past the onrushing Brogan to give the visitors the lead.
Lye started the second half with momentum and soon doubled their advantage when the referee pointed to the spot following a handball against Alex Harding, much to the dismay of those in Blue.
Not perturbed by the protestations, Baptiste confidently stepped up and rifled her effort into the centre of the goal to complete her brace.
With a two-goal cushion, Lye managed to slow the pace of the game and Chesterfield struggled to find a response.
The visitors looked the more likely side to score again, with Baptiste denied her hat-trick by another strong save from Brogan.
There was more good goalkeeping from Brogan late on, but it was not enough to prevent the referee from calling time on a disappointing afternoon for the Spireites.
Next up, we host Sheffield FC at the SMH Group Stadium on Sunday, September 27, with a win seeing Pete Jarvis’ progress to the knockout round of the FAWNL Cup.
Chesterfield: Brogan, Harding, Nowell, Brassington (Ashtei 46), Porritt (Staples 59), Bain, Marshall (Cahill 56), Shore (Thompson 59), Fowler, Carter, Butterworth (Foster 77).
Chesterfield FC Women Development Team
The Development team battled to a 2-1 victory away at Buxton to progress to the next round of the League Cup.
It was a tricky test against fellow Division One opposition, with both sides battling for an advantage in the opening stages.
Chesterfield had the better of the early chances, with Cerys Brooks and Sophie Goodridge both breaking through down the left, but the Buxton goalkeeper made two good saves to keep the scores level.
The sides went into half-time goalless, but the Development team came flying out of the blocks after the break.
Just two minutes into the second half, Lily Roebuck opened the scoring, pouncing on a loose ball before calmly placing her finish into the corner from 10 yards.
Chesterfield grew in confidence after taking the lead and were awarded a penalty 10 minutes later when Roebuck used her pace to get in behind down the right before being brought down inside the area.
Layla Hassen made no mistake from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to double the Spireites’ advantage.
Hassen almost added a third shortly afterwards following good work from Amelia Skinner, but her effort went narrowly wide.
Buxton pulled one back with 12 minutes remaining when a free-kick from distance found the back of the net, setting up a nervy finish.
However, the Development team held firm to secure their first win of the season and book their place in the next round of the cup.
Next up, the Development team will look to take the confidence from their cup victory into their league meeting with Gresley Rovers next week.
Player of the Match: Lily Roebuck – scored the opening goal before winning the penalty for the second. She switched from left-back to right wing in the second half, where her pace proved a constant threat.
