Evie Carter’s late strike earned Chesterfield FC Women their first win on the road this season as they battled to a 1-0 victory over Stamford AFC on Sunday afternoon.
The victory takes Chesterfield up to fourth in the league, only three points off leaders Rotherham after four games.
It was a tentative start in Lincolnshire with both sides struggling to gain control in the opening stages.
With 27 minutes played, the game had its first real chance. A deep Stamford cross looked harmless until the wind caught hold and forced Paige Johnson to scamper backwards; fortunately for the goalkeeper, the ball landed on the roof of the net.
Shortly after, it was Chesterfield’s turn to test the goalkeeper. First, Laura Porritt’s point-blank effort was well saved, and Millie Standen’s follow-up was ushered around the post.
Then from the ensuing corner, Amy Nowell’s bullet header flew just over the bar.
Just before half-time, Nowell had another header go over, a carbon copy of her first effort.
After the break, Johnson was again called into action as she pulled off a wonderful save at full stretch to deny Stamford from range.
On the hour-mark, Chesterfield were only a matter of inches away from taking the lead.
Shannelle Ashtei’s free kick from 30 yards out was aided by the wind and crashed back off the crossbar, with the goalkeeper stranded.
As the game headed into the last 10 minutes, it was one-way traffic with Elin Morin finding lots of joy on the right wing.
In the space of two minutes, Morin had flashed two dangerous crosses across the face of the goal, but no blue shirt was there to apply the finish.
The Spireites then got the goal that their pressure had warranted.
Morin’s 88th-minute corner was flicked on at the near post by Carter, and Stamford were unable to prevent it from hitting the back of the net.
Despite eight nervy minutes added on at the end, Chesterfield held out to secure the the victory.
