'The substitutes have won us the game to be honest' - resilient Chesterfield Women edge out Kidderminster Harriers

The Spireites backed up their National League Cup victory over Sheffield PGA by beating Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 with a first-half strike from Ruby Shore to secure three big points.

Chesterfield made it across the line despite the dismissal of Tilly Hallas-Potts late on.

“It was another really good battle for us and our second clean sheet in four games,” said Jarvis. “We have only conceded two goals in our first four games in the league.

“The spirit amongst the girls was phenomenal and the substitutes have won us the game to be honest with the amount of energy they gave us. It’s quite embarrassing the amount of depth we have at our disposal.”

The victory lifted the Spireites up to seventh in the early National League Division One Midlands table ahead of Sunday’s visit of Lye Town (3pm).

Goalkeeper Zoe Millington was tested early on and Harriers had a goal disallowed before the decisive goal arrived at the other end on 22 minutes.

Shore raced onto a through ball and lotted home her first league goal of the season.

Hallas-Potts headed narrowly wide soon after.

The second half tested the Spireites’ resilience.

Kidderminster shook the post and demanded a double save from Millington.

To add to the tension, Chesterfield also survived a penalty shout and Evie Carter missed a chance to put the game to bed before Hallas-Potts’ second yellow in stoppage time set up a nervy finish which the hosts came through to collect a gritty win.

Chesterfield: Millington, Harding (Ashtei 60), Nowell, Brassington, Porritt, Hallas-Potts, Marshall (Bain 57), Shore, Morin (Thompson 67), Fowler (Cahill 90), Butterworth (Carter 52)

The Development Team finished 5-5 with Amber Valley after trailing 4-2 and 5-3, the goals from Lucy Bridgewater (2), Layla Hassen (2) and a Goal of the Season contender from Cerys Brooks.