Chesterfield FC Women, playing in their first FA Cup tie, beat Grimsby Borough 3-0 on Sunday afternoon to progress in the competition.
After a busy pre-season, with a number of new signings, the Spireites were back in competitive action.
The Spireites got off to a bright start, enjoying the majority of possession. Five minutes in, Steph O’Brien fired a long-range shot on target, but it was gathered by the Grimsby Borough keeper.
Just under ten minutes later, Rebecca Francis came close to putting the Spireites ahead, but her shot rolled agonisingly wide of the far post.
It didn’t take long though for Chesterfield to take the lead. With 18 minutes on the clock, the ball fell to Faye Delaney, unmarked in the box, and she showed brilliant composure to finish.
With half-an-hour gone, Delaney came close to doubling the lead. Kadi Townsend whipped a brilliant free-kick into the box and Delaney did well to get on the end of it, but her shot was just wide.
Despite continuing to pepper the opposition goal, the Spireites were unable to add to their lead, but continued to dominate the first half, only giving Grimsby Borough half a chance which Rhianne Carroll was equal to.
The Spireites started the second half just as they did the first – dominating from the off and an O’Brien shot on target.
Whilst Chesterfield were enjoying the opening 15 minutes in the opposition half, Megan Clarkson saw her long-range effort go just over the bar.
Another goal was always coming for the Spireites and so it did in the 64th minute when Millie Pinkey did brilliantly to win a corner. As the corner came in, Pinkey managed to get a shot away which was blocked, and Rebecca Lilleyman followed uo to make it 2-0.
O’Brien came close to adding a third in the 69th minute when Delaney put a perfect cross into the box, which O’Brien headed towards goal, but it was just over the bar.
Just five minutes later, O’Brien had another brilliant chance from a header, but again it was just over the bar. Chesterfield did make it three in the 86th minute when Carroll played a long ball out over the top and Grimsby Borough struggled to clear. Maddie Watkinson capitalised and put the ball away from 15 yards to round off the scoring.
In the closing minutes of the game, O’Brien came close to a reward for all her efforts but she was just stretching in the box to get onto the ball and her effort was cleared off the line.
A dominant performance from the Spireites saw them through to the second preliminary round where they will face Rotherham United away.
Spireites: Carroll, Bunyan, Clarkson (Willoughby 83), Watkinson, Pinkney, Delaney (Thompson 86), Townsend, Francis, Lilleyman (Turner 88), Breeze, O’Brien
