AFTER the bitter disappointment of last weeks reverse at Newquay, the Ladies got themselves back on track with a superb performance at Chesham, and once again showed the spirit and determination that is running through the squad.

On a lovely late summers afternoon the match got under way in front of a somewhat sparse number of spectators, with just a handful making the 230 mile trip.

The early exchanges were tentative as both teams tested each other out, and actual attempts on goal were few and far between. The main battles in midfield were keenly contested, and generally defences of both teams were in command.

The Pilgrims were giving as good as they got in every area of the field as they battled for the upper hand. The midfield of Sophie Drake, Becky Rose, Jamie Schofield, Aoife Aherne and Leah Brooks had to work really hard to give cover to the defence and trying to get support to striker Laura Gough.

At the back, Charlie Carter slotted into the right-back position for her first start of the season. Charlie, along with central pair Emma White and Chynna Evans and left back Kate Hine put in tremendous performances, both individually and as a unit, to limit their opponents' efforts on goal and ensure Michaela Phillips return was not too difficult an afternoon.

In the 27th minute Becky Rose aggravated an injury and had to be replaced by Laura Carpenter. The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute. Sophie Drake made progress down the wide right and found Laura Gough in the channel with a beautifully weighted pass.

Laura used her pace and power to brush aside a defender and shoot an angled drive firmly across the diving keeper and into the far corner of the net. A fitting end to a really good move.

They almost increased their lead when Jamie Schofield strode forward and unleashed a tremendous drive that brought out a brilliant diving save to the high right of the home keeper. The girls went into the break in high spirits and a well deserved breather.

The second half continued in the same vein, as Chesham strove to get back into the game. The defence held firm and the home sides attempts were mostly from distance and very few on target.

The Pilgrims had their moments, with both Leah Brooks on the left and Sophie Drake on the right pressuring the home defence. The probing pases from Aoife Aherne, the non-stop running and pressure from Jamie Schofield and the tigerish tackling of Laura Carpenter ensured that the home team had no time to settle on the ball.

The game changed dramatically in the 78th minute. Kate Hine raced across the penalty area to get in a vital perfectly timed saving tackle. Unfortunately Emma White followed in and felled the attacker. A clear penalty that was despatched firmly to the right of Michaela Phillips.

At this point heads could have dropped, having lost the lead so near to the end of the game, but these players are made of sterner stuff. As Chesham applied more pressure in an effort to get a winner they were met with equally determined resistance as the ladies dug even deeper.

It looked like the points were going to be shared until, in the 91st minute, Laura Gough, who had worked tirelessly all afternoon ran onto a pass near the corner of the penalty box. She sent a looping drive over the keeper and inside the far post.

A fitting end to a terriffic all round performance from the girls, and every one of the thirteen players can feel very proud of the way they performed today.

The girls must now carry this forward into the next matches, and maintain the progress they are making as a team.

After the match, manager Chris Benham said, " I am very happy with the players' efforts today. They followed insructions to the letter, and played as a unit."

Thanks to Colin Fenn