Spireites Women Claim Impressive Point At Loughborough
18.09.26, 09:04 Updated 18.09.26, 09:04 1 Minute Read
Matthew Rhodes
Chesterfield FC Women drew 2-2 against third-tier side Loughborough Lightning away from home last night in Group R of the FA Women's National League Cup.
The visitors surprised their higher-ranked opponents by taking a 2-0 lead at the interval thanks to goals from Imogen Fowler and Amy Nowell inside the opening half hour.
The hosts fought back though in the second half. Gabriella Spillman halved the deficit on the hour mark before Nia Davies equalised after 83 minutes.
With one match remaining for every team in this group, Pete Jarvis' side have given themselves a great opportunity to advance to the knockout stage of this competition. Chesterfield FC Women and Loughborough Lightning both have four points from their opening two games, while Sheffield United Women U21 are in third place with three points. Sheffield FC Women sit bottom with no points so far.
All 22 group winners will advance to the next stage of the tournament while the 10 best runners-up sides will also join them in the round of 32. If the Spireites can beat Sheffield FC Women at the SMH Group Stadium in their last group game on Sunday 27th September, their total of seven points would give them every chance of finishing at least as one of the 10 best runners-up sides.
Chesterfield FC Women are next in action this coming Sunday when they host Lye Town Women at Debdale Sports Park in the FA Women's National League Division One Midlands. The Spireites currently sit in seventh position in the table and will be aiming to record back-to-back league victories.
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Matthew Rhodes Matthew Rhodes is a freelance sports journalist, broadcaster, commentator and author. He was born and raised in Chesterfield and worked as North Derbyshire Radio's senior sports editor from 2021 to 2025. In 2026, his first full-length book was published; 'A Fine Line' covers Chesterfield's astonishing FA Cup run during the 1996/97 season.
