Our Women’s First Team suffered defeat at the hands of Chesterfield in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Division One North yesterday afternoon.

Despite taking the lead on the half-an-hour mark through Beth Wharton, a late Chesterfield goal in the first-half followed by a strike in the second-half meant the points stayed with the hosts in Derbyshire.

Ben Challen made two changes to the side that beat Buxton last time out, with Ellie Gribbin returning in net and Harriet Dalton coming into the fold and Hermione Clapham taking her place on the bench.

Town created plenty of chances from the off and put pressure on the hosts.

An early chance for Wharton saw the Spireites’ defender do just enough to put the striker off to send her shot wide.

Wharton forced a fingertip save from the Chesterfield shot-stopper from an angle and forced a corner, with the resulting corner kick over the bar from Alisha Dejonge.

We were rewarded for our string of early pressure on the half-hour mark, when Lily Jacklin played through Wharton, who slotted the ball home with her left foot.

The Spireites levelled the score ten minutes later through a free-kick and the teams headed into the break on level terms.

Town started the second-half strongly and Wharton almost got her second; forcing the Chesterfield keeper to pull off an excellent save.

Ray Swallow was brought down in the box by the Spireites’ keeper, but the referee waved away penalty shouts.

Chesterfield took the lead with just over 20 minutes on the clock.

A late chance saw Wharton race into the final third with the ball and put it across goal. Substitute Clapham was at the back post, but she was unable to control it and it landed in the arms of the keeper and the hosts ended the tie with the three points.

Town: Gribbin, Dalton, Wray, Brighton, Kershaw, Thorpe, Wharton, Dejonge, Jacklin, Gray, Welsh

Subs: Swallow, Barker, Clapham, Green