Chesterfield F.C Girls Centre of Excellence had mixed fortunes in series of games played against Northampton on Saturday afternoon

U16's Match Report

CHESTERFIELD 2  NORTHAMPTON 4

The result was of secondary importance as Chesterfield put on their best performance of the season playing the game at the tempo required for elite footballers.

In the opening 20 minutes the Spireites bombarded the cobblers defence but could not apply the finishing touch, predictably Northampton, on their first break; put the ball into the Chesterfield net from eighteen yards.

The centre midfield duo of Grace Whittaker and Emily Simpkins were at the hub of some fine moves as the home side continued to dominate the match.

Zoe Herbert had some very good chances but unfortunately could not put the ball in the net.Incredibly Northampton doubled their lead with another swift counter attack.

Zoe's efforts were finally rewarded when she scored following a barrage of shots that rained at the Northampton goal.

Wingers Catherine Davie and Siobhan Wood made some great runs down the wings crossing some great balls into the box.

Northampton made it 3-1 scoring from a well worked corner which left the Chesterfield players stranded.

Left midfielder Gemma Plumb came on after twenty-five minutes and had some good shots which the visitors keeper did well to save, when she finally beat the keeper the ball hit the outside of the post and bounced to safety.

Chesterfield won an early corner in the second period which was well taken by Emily Simpkins, Lisa Jones jumped higher than the Northampton defence to head towards goal but the Northampton keeper responded with a stunning save.

A throw in on the right wing was flicked on by Emily over the Northampton's defence but unfortunately Emma Wilkinson's shot was just wide.

Wilkinson then drove through the Northampton defence hitting a fearsome shot which cannoned off the crossbar.

The blues pushing for a goal left gaps at the back which were finally exploited by the cobblers who made the scoreline 3-1.

Chesterfield piled the pressure on and from a Northampton goal kick Simpkins was first to the ball shooting neatly past the visitors keeper to make the score 3-2.

Blues almost leveled with five minutes remaining when Davie surged down the right wing, pulled the ball back to the outstanding Simpkins who crossed the ball into the eighteen yard box to Gemma Plumb who hit a first time volley the ball just over the bar.With just a few minutes remaining the Northampton again capatilised on some poor defending to complete the 4-2 victory.

Coach Cameron Evans was pleased with the overall performance "The girls are now playing the game at the tempo required for elite players and were unlucky to find the post or crossbar on 5 occasions. We will work on defending before the Christmas break and if the girls respond as well as they did to our passing and support sessions we will be very difficult to beat"

Emily Simpkins was awarded the player of the match.

U14's Match Report

1^ST Period (Chesterfield 0vNorthampton 1)

Chesterfield were slow of the mark and stood of the Northampton players giving them too much time on the ball. Chesterfield were duly punished and conceded an early goal.On a positive note Nicole Dale and Amber Wildgust distributed the ball well from midfield. Suzie Gelson's pace and determination on the right flank was a constant threat to the visitors defence.

2^ndPeriod (Chesterfield 1vNorthampton 3)

Chesterfield performed better with Suzie Gelson again making some good runs down the right flank. In searching for the equalizer the blues left gaps and were caught out on the break as Northampton doubled their lead.

Chesterfield as always didn't allow their heads to drop and battled on. They got their reward and pulled a goal back thanks to a terrific effort from striker Mollie Brennan.

Trialists Paige Batey and Louise Rivett both had pleasing debuts.

Yasmin Spencer making her first appearence in goal made some good saves and was unlucky to concede a 3^rd goal seconds from the end of the second period.

3^rdPeriod (Chesterfield 1 v Northampton 3)

Probably Chesterfield's best phase as the defence looked strong with Emma Crump having an outstanding game assisted by fellow defenders Paige Batey and Kirsty Richards. The Mid-field were working hard but good defending at the other end denied Chesterfield any further reward.

Summary.

Diminutive midfielder Nicole Dale won the player of the match from the Northampton team, while Suzie Gelson received the Chesterfield manager's player of the game, for her tireless work rate throughout.

Under 12 Report

Phillippa hat trick

Chesterfield came from behind to earn a drawn against a physical and well organised Northampton Team. Both teams played attractive football as they searched for the opening goal. It was the visitors who took the lead after 16 minutes when the blues defence failed to react to a corner. Poor communication between defender and goalkeeper allowed Northampton to double their advantage within 2 minutes of the restart.

Five minutes into the second period Chesterfield scored their first goal after good interplay between Eleanor Clarke and Phillippa Cassidy pictured. It was was the latter who struck a fierce shot from an acute angle to bring Chesterfield back into the game. Northampton hit back four minutes later with a well taken goal to take the sting out of the Chesterfield revival and make the score 3:1 at the end the second period.

Chesterfield scored their second goal five minutes into the third and final period. Again the goal was a result of a slick passing move involving Emily Montgomery and Eleanor Clarke who provided the opportunity for Cassidy to score her second goal. Northampton dominated the later stages but excellent saves from goalkeepers Kate Marriott and Briony Dove earned applause from the crowd and kept Chesterfield in the game. With seconds remaining a chance fell to Cassidy who displayed good composure to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. Cassidy's hat trick capped an all around team display that was a fair result for the endeavours of both teams.

For further information people should contact the Centre of Excellence hotline on 0774 2643131