Pride Park FC Ladies

Moorways Stadium, home of Pride Park FC Ladies based in Allenton, Derbyshire and play their trade in the Derbyshire Ladies League Division One.

The Merry Miller has only gone and found another hidden gem on the way back from Marlborough for us! It’s the Women’s Plate Quarter-Final between Pride Park FC and the University of Derby Women! Come on!

A short 30 minute drive up from Moira and into Allenton sees us here with just under an hour to go before kick off. Now to kill time with a short walk over to Greggs. Yummy Yummy Yummy I’ve got love in my tummy and I feel like watching football! Into the ground we now go!

“Don Valley eat your heart out!” The Merry Miller’s thoughts on the ground at first glance. It is a bit similar to the old ground with it being athletics oriented but the stand really is extraordinary! In the meantime, the ladies are ready for a place in the Semi-Final! Let’s get this show on the road!

Kick Off! Pride Park are playing this game with 10 players… Will that prove to be costly? 11 minutes in and Pride Park play it over the top, number 29 is in and around the keeper to finish! But she’s Offside! No goal!

2 minutes later and Derby Uni play it forward, number 9 is played through, she shoots early… It’s wide! She should’ve got closer there!

15th minute now and Pride Park have a free kick on the edge of the box to the left near the corner of the area, number 29 shoots… OFF THE BAR! Derby Uni hold them off to clear the danger but that was the closest we have to a goal so far!

23 minutes now and Pride Park have a corner, in it comes… It comes for number 29 who gets a shot away… Blocked but comes back for number 15 to strike… Get in! Great strike! Brilliant! 1-0!

31 gone and it’s another corner for Pride Park, number 5 whips it in… The defender at the near post has missed it… And it’s gone all the way in! Poor defending at the near post with the keeper no chance there! It’s 2-0! A soft goal for Derby Uni to concede there!

41 minutes played and Pride Park come forward, played to number 29 who goes for goal from 25 yards… Off the bar and out for a goal kick! Close again! Pride Park are 2 goals up at half time.

Second half, 68th minute… A very slow start to the half but Pride Park play it forward to number 29, she gets onto the box on the right and shoots… Wide!

1 minute later and Derby Uni come forward and play it through for number 9 who gets into the box on the left and cuts inside to shoot… It’s over! They needed that!

72 minutes now and the ball comes for number 29 for Pride Park… She’s slipped on the ball and she’s hurt herself… That doesn’t sound or look good… Play is stopped but will it continue…? She is up and moving now thankfully! Play will continue and we will se a lot of stoppage time now.

84th minute and Derby Uni come forward, it comes nicely for number 12 who shoots from 20 yards… Oh fantastic!! It loops in over the keeper that’s a great goal! Brilliant! 2-1! Game on here!

87th minute and Derby Uni come again, they’re growing in confidence here! It’s played through to number 9 who gets into the box and shoots… It’s saved! Big chance there!

Pride Park are running down the clock here… Deep into added time now and Derby Uni have a throw in on the left for, played to number 8 and she goes for goal from 40 yards… OHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! WHAT ABOUT THAT!!!! WHAT! ABOUT! THAT!! That is SENSATIONAL!! It loops up and lands in the top corner! One of the goals of the season!! And we may be going to penalties after all! 2-2!

Play resumes… It will be a Penalty Shootout here! What an ending to that half!

It’s Pride Park to go first with number 5… She scores! Good start! Derby Uni’s number 12 is up first for Uni… And she buries it!! 1-1!

Pride Park’s number 14 is next… OH! It’s a poor penalty! Saved comfortably! Derby Uni number 9 for the advantage… NO! It’s saved! Still 1-1!

Pride Park’s number 15 steps up… And scores! Derby Uni’s number 4 to respond…? NO! It’s saved! Advantage Pride Park! 2-1!

Number 19 for Pride Park and if she scores, Pride Park are at Match Point… She’s blazed it over! Oh dear! Derby Uni number 8 needs this one… And she scores! It’s Sudden Death! 2-2!

Pride Park’s number 17 with a crucial kick… She’s missed… Wide!

It’s the Derby Uni keeper to send them through to the Semi-Final…?

NO SHE’S PUT IT WIDE… Will Derby Uni be made to pay there and for all their hard work getting back into this game?!

Now it’s Pride Park’s keeper, what can she do…? Not much! It’s saved! The Derby Uni keeper is reprieved for now.

Derby Uni number 7 has the chance to win it now…

No she’s put it wide! Nobody wants to win this!

Pride Park’s number 21 is next… Saved again! Surely Pride Park are going to rue these missed Penalties now!

Derby Uni’s number 10, is this time the one…?

YES IT IS!!! DERBY UNI ARE THROUGH!! She scores! Semi-Final here they come!

FT: Pride Park FC Ladies 2-2 University of Derby Women

University of Derby Women Win 3-2 on Penalties

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 1/10 – Dead…
• The Ground: 7/10 – Brilliant for this level! Like a mini Grantham with the running track but I really like the stand here! It’s another hidden gem!
• Expense: 10/10 – £0!
• Overall Experience: 8/10 – Another successful Sunday with the Merry Miller! A real hidden gem found here today and a great end to a dull game I have to say!

26/40