Ruby Shore’s first-half strike helped Chesterfield battle to a 1-0 win against Kidderminster Harriers to secure their first home league win of the campaign.
It was a closely fought encounter with the West Midlands side, where both teams threw everything at the game, and the Spireites had to dig especially deep at the end when Tilly Hallas-Potts was sent off.
But, despite being a player down, Chesterfield held out and leapfrogged their opponents into seventh place.
Manager Pete Jarvis was thrilled with the effort from his squad, and in particular the players who came off the bench, saying: “It was another really good battle for us today. Our second clean sheet in four games, and we have only conceded two goals in our first four games in this league.
“The spirit amongst the girls was phenomenal, and the substitutes have won us the game today, to be honest. The amount of energy they gave us. It’s quite embarrassing the amount of depth we have at our disposal.”
It was an energetic start from both sides, with the visitors looking to test Zoe Millington in the opening minutes. However, the Spireites’ impressive shot-stopper stood firm.
With 19 minutes on the clock, the Harriers did have the ball in the back of the net following a quick break, but fortunately for Chesterfield, the linesman’s flag was raised.
The ball was in the net again three minutes later, this time at the other end, and this one did stand, as Shore put Chesterfield into the lead.
The winger raced onto a brilliant threaded through ball and never looked in doubt as she slotted home her first league goal of the season.
After the goal, Chesterfield looked the most likely to grab the next one too.
Hallas-Potts rose highest to Sasha Brassington’s deep free-kick, but her header bounced narrowly wide of the post.
After the break, Kidderminster looked to issue a response.
First, they saw an effort crash off the post from close range after looking certain to score.
Then, with 20 minutes to play, Millington was again called into action and produced a fantastic double save to keep her side in the lead.
Shortly after, the Harriers were adamant that they should have been awarded a penalty after Millington and Olivia Mitcham collided in the area.
The referee, however, was unmoved.
As the end of the game approached, the Spireites had a golden chance to seal the victory, but Evie Carter miscued her finish, which further increased the anxiety for the home faithful.
Then, to make matters worse, the home side were reduced to 10 players when Hallas-Potts was given a second yellow card in stoppage time.
Initially, the referee had seen no reason to issue a card, but after consulting with the linesman, the midfielder was adjudged to have committed an off-the-ball foul.
Fortunately, Pete Jarvis’ side held on and secured their second league win of the season.
Chesterfield: Millington, Harding (Ashtei 60), Nowell, Brassington, Porritt, Hallas-Potts, Marshall (Bain 57), Shore, Morin (Thompson 67), Fowler (Cahill 90), Butterworth (Carter 52)
Chesterfield FC Women Development Team
The Development team fought back in a 10-goal thriller to earn a hard-fought 5-5 draw away from home against Amber Valley.
The hosts took an early lead after seven minutes, but Chesterfield reacted quickly, with Lucy Bridgewater equalising a minute later after pouncing on a loose ball and finishing well from six yards out.
Chesterfield then took the lead in the 25th minute when Layla Hassen found the back of the net with a cool finish after the ball found its way to her 10 yards out.
However, a poor final 10 minutes of the first half saw Chesterfield concede three quickfire goals and go into the break 4-2 down.
Halfway through the second half, Cerys Brooks reduced the deficit with a contender for goal of the season, noticing the goalkeeper off her line before thumping the ball from 35 yards into the top corner.
Amber Valley hit back again five minutes later to make it 5-3 and restore their two-goal advantage.
The Chesterfield players kept pressing and hit the crossbar and post before Bridgewater added her second of the game with five minutes to go. She volleyed the ball home from close range following a good free-kick from Finty McConnell.
Chesterfield continued to push for the equaliser and were rewarded for their efforts in the 88th minute when Hassen ghosted in at the back post to score her second of the game and make it 5-5, following another McConnell free-kick.
There were also Development team debuts for Ruby Agutter, Tamsin Gregory and Amelia Skinner.
Sophie Goodridge was named Player of the Match after proving a constant threat on the right wing.
