Chesterfield FC Women won 2-1 at home to Grimsby Town this afternoon, extending their unbeaten run in 2025.
The Spireites got off to a great start with some brilliant passages of forward play.
It took a great save from Rhianne Carroll though to make sure Grimsby didn’t take the lead. She got across her goal and down well to keep the game at 0-0.
Steph O’Brien came close to giving Chesterfield the lead in the 21st minute with a long-range shot, which the keeper initially spilled, but reacted well to stop it going over the line.
At the other end, Carroll made another great save to deny the Grimsby striker from close range.
A minute later, O’Brien had another long-range shot which was whiskers wide of the post.
Against the run of play, Grimsby took the lead in the 31st minute.
With five minutes of the half to go, it was third time lucky for O’Brien who stepped up to take a superb free kick from 30-yards and put it over the keeper to make it 1-1 at the break.
The Spireites continued to be highly organised in the second half with some brilliant defending from the back line and another couple of great saves from Carroll to keep the game even.
The hard work paid off in the 68th minute when Maddie Watkinson, celebrating her birthday, scored the winner with a rocket of a goal.
Watkinson started the move by playing a great ball to Tia Mcdonagh, who drove into the box, then turned and passed to Watkinson on the edge of the area to fire home with her left foot, giving the keeper no chance.
Despite efforts from the opposition to find an equaliser, the Spireites remained disciplined to see out the win.
The Spireites are at home again next week against Mansfield Town in the semi-final of the League Plate.
Spireites: Carroll, Breeze, Francis, Nazha, Boston, O’Brien, Watkinson, Delaney, Lilleyman (Singleton 62), Graham (Singleton 82), Singleton (McDonagh 52, Bradford 76)
