Chesterfield FC Women made the perfect start to 2026 with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Rotherham United on Sunday afternoon.
Amy Nowell’s double, as well as goals from Evie Carter, Jess Waplington and Abbie Staples, helped Pete Jarvis’ side make it 12 games unbeaten.
After almost a month away from the pitch, Chesterfield didn’t take long to pick up where they left off.
With just five minutes on the clock, Carter fired a clinical strike over the head of ex-teammate Brooke McCrory to give the Spireites the perfect start.
Only eight minutes later, the lead was doubled when Nowell glanced her header goalwards from Elin Morin’s corner, which Rotherham couldn’t keep out.
The first half was all one-way traffic as Sophie Bain and Millie Standen tried their luck from distance.
And in the 37th minute, Waplington made it 3-0.
After a goalmouth scramble, the forward was most alert and poked her finish past McCrory.
On the stroke of half-time Waplington and Bain both came close with their efforts but couldn’t add to the tally.
After the break, Rotherham produced their most threatening phase of the game; however, the Millers couldn’t produce anything to trouble Paige Johnson.
On the hour-mark, Staples got in on the action to make it 4-0.
A popular goalscorer with her first of the campaign, the fullback volleyed home like a seasoned striker after Morin’s whipped corner landed at her feet.
With 15 minutes left to play, Nowell added her second.
In what was a carbon copy of the setup for her first, Morin’s corner landed perfectly with the centre-half, who made no mistake with the header.
Chesterfield had numerous chances as the game wound down, but neither Morin nor Carter could find the back of the net, as the Spireites started 2026 much as they finished 2025.
Up next for Pete Jarvis’ team is a League Cup clash away at Loughborough on January 11.
