Chesterfield Ladies make history with county cup win
For the first time in their history Chesterfield Ladies clinched the Derbyshire Women’s County Cup, following a dramatic penalty shootout.
It was the first piece of silverware the club have won since rebranding and returning to its roots 12 months ago.
Media officer Matthew Rhodes said that’s one of the reasons the win has been celebrated so much.
“I know county cups aren’t really seen as particularly prestigious, especially in the men’s game but in terms of the women’s game it is held in a bit more prestige,” he said.
“Especially for a club at fifth tier level which Chesterfield Ladies are in, which is actually grassroots rather than semi-professional in the women’s game.
“That’s why the County Cup win was met with so much joy, so much celebration. It’s the first trophy they’ve won since the rebrand.”
A year ago the club underwent a rebrand and returned to operating under the name of Chesterfield Ladies FC.
The club is a separate entity to Chesterfield Football Club whose men’s team compete in the National League.
The game at Grange Park- home of Long Eaton United, was a closely fought contest in front of a crowd of nearly 500.
Derby County U20s took the lead inside the opening two minutes but Chesterfield pegged them back 20 minutes later through Millie Standen.
Neither team could find a breakthrough in the second half, forcing the tie to be decided from the penalty spot.
The North Derbyshire side went behind in the shootout but emerged victorious, winning 3-2.
Rhodes said it was apt for manager Mike Noon, who announced earlier this month he’s stepping down at the end of the season, to pick up some more silverware.
“It was a really nice and fitting way for his tenure to end,” he added.
“It wasn’t quite promotion this season, that was the number one aim but still nonetheless it’s a trophy, one that they’ve not won before.
“I think it shows the direction that they’re going in as an independent team.”
