'They’re developing a better understanding each week' - boss praises attacking efficiency after Chesterfield Women's cup win
Chesterfield Women return to league action this weekend boosted by a cup victory.
They beat Sheffield United PGA 3-1 in the FA Women’s National League Cup and the way they went about it pleased manager Pete Jarvis.
“It was a really professional job,” he said. “We didn’t have a great deal of possession over the course of the game but we managed to be really disciplined throughout and take our opportunities a lot better.
“We have been working on the connections in training, and they’re developing a better understanding each week.”
The result was just what the promoted Spireites needed heading into Sunday’s visit of Kidderminster Harriers to Debdale in the Division One Midlands of the Women’s National League.
Goals from Ruby Shore, Tilly Hallas-Potts and Evie Carter put the Spireites in a strong position in Group R, with a rescheduled game against Loughborough Lightning and the final fixture against Sheffield FC still to play.
The visitors hit the bar early and Zoe Millington was the busier of the two keepers before Shore gave Chesterfield the lead in the 34th minute against her old club, cutting inside and curling into the far corner.
Less than a minute later parity was restored as Sheffield United raced forward from kick-off and Mollie Austin poked home from close range.
But in what continued to be a frantic spell, Chesterfield regained their lead just two minutes later.
Hallas-Potts used her size to good effect as she forced her way past her marker to convert her first goal for the Spireites.
The game settled down after the break, with neither side threatening but just as Sheffield United stepped up the pressure, Chesterfield netted from a rare second-half attack.
Sophie Marshall was upended in the area and last season’s top scorer, Carter, stepped up to convert the penalty and secure the Women’s first win since the opening day.
They have a win and a loss from their two league fixtures so far.
Chesterfield: Millington, Harding, Brassington, Warren, Staples (Ashtei 32), Cahill (Bain 56), Hallas-Potts (Marshall 56), Shore (Carter 51), Waplington (Porritt 74), Morin, Butterworth.