Match Report Women's FA Cup 3rd Round Aston Villa LFC v Doncaster Rovers Belles

   This weekend was host to the Women's FA Cup 3rd round, 16 ties with the newly formed WSL 2 teams entering the competition. The weather as it had for the whole of January would cause disruption and postponements were envitable as another wave of rain swept across the UK. Indeed some 2nd round ties had yet to be completed such has been the problem. Had had my eye on one particular tie since the draw was made but when that fell foul to the weather I certainly had several more facinating ties to choose from.
    Leaving Norfolk, Aston Villa LFC v Doncaster Rovers Belles was the game I headed for one of three all WSL 2 ties in the 3rd round. Would be an interesting game an early look at two of the teams in this new league. A run in the cup for either side would give them a great advantage in terms of momentum going into the up coming league campaign. Doncaster Rovers Belles of course I know well from watching them in their 3 year stint in the newly created WSL before their 'relegation' to the new 2nd teir. They have despite the huge movement of players within the WSL managed to keep their squad together and of late added to it. My knowledge of Aston Villa LFC is limited this would be my 1st time seeing them play they are the current League Cup holders and I was impressed by their midfield player Sherry McCue at last years U19 championships in Wales.
    Aston Villa LFC's home ground is in Sutton Coldfield at Coles Lane. Not too bad a run from Norfolk. Coles Lane is a nice stadium has a 3g pitch, can park at the ground, has a bar and refreshments, (music to my ears) a ground that can serve me up a cheeseburger after a long drive is always going to win me over plus a cup of tea.... mind you I should have paid to get in first... drove straight past the ticket office... know better next time... I duly hastened over to the ticket office and confessed my sins... PAID UP.. and was all set for the game.

    There was a little rain about, but the ground had covered areas to stand and with the pitch being 3g this wouldn't cause too many problems. Know the Doncaster squad knew it was a strong starting line up albeit without the suspended Leandra Little. This saw Sue Smith as captain as Doncaster lining up in yellow tops and socks with blue shorts as Aston Villa in their claret and blue shirts and socks with white shorts kicked off. The opening exhanges were fairly even as both teams found their way into the match Aston Villa were commiting a fair amount of fouls in the middle of the park, but the middle 1/3 was heavily congested with both teams defending a very high line, looking to spring the off side trap but by trying to play the ball through rather than over the top most of the time a defender intercepted the intended pass.
     Doncaster were looking to get the ball out to Sue Smith on the right with both Naomi Chadwick and Jess Sigsworth looked to support. It was Chadwick with the 1st real chance as she recieved the ball on the left hand corner of the box fired a looping shot goal wards beating the Aston Villa keeper Leach but landing the wrong side of the post wide. Doncaster were on top during this period another cross saw Beth England head the ball down but straight into Leach's arms. Aston Villa were getting pulled across the pitch to deal with Sue Smith left space on the left but Doncaster failed to exploit it on a number of occasions.
   Aston Villa persisted on trying to get the ball through Doncaster's back line, McCue was all over the pitch working hard made a run that found her the furthest forwards the pass found her head but she could only direct it tamely into the hands of Doncaster keeper Nicola Hobbs who had had very little to do until late in the half with chances on the low side the 1st half ended in stalemate 0-0.
   The 2nd half started with Doncaster on the offensive once again Sue Smith the player causing Aston Villa the problems seen it before, cheered when she was at Lincoln as she did it to the opposing team and dispaired when she did the same to Lincoln. Got the ball drove into the box and was brought down.. penalty. Up stepped Victoria Williams to take 1-0 as the ball brushed past the diving Leach's fingertips. Aston Villa felt aggrieved it was a physical encounter had a player booked for a foul on Cunningham. Sue Smith had another run at Aston Villa's penalty box took the shot deflected off a defender into the path of Beth England who controlled quickly and fired it home to make it 2-0.
     Aston Villa made a change brought on Sarah Mayling to the right side of attack to try and regain the initiative, soon after coming on  Mayling had a run on her marker struck the ball from the edge of the box but keeper Hobbs was well positioned to gather. Soon after the battling McCue went down under a challenge in the middle of the park and had to be carried off, an ambulance arrived shortly afterwards nothing we like to see and I hope that it was just a precaution and nothing too serious.
   Sue Smith found Millie Bright in an advanced position fed the ball out to her on the right played a one, two Bright's cross almost finding England only for Leach to claim the ball.
    Sigsworth was brought down in the box a 50/50 decision the ref waved it away the ball was lose in the box however and as Sue Smith tried to claim it she was tripped and this time the penalty was given. Up stepped William's but this attempt was launched against the bar clattered down with Sue Smith heading the ball back goalwards Leach grabbed it to prevent it going over her.
   Aston Villa were getting some joy down both flanks late on Mayling had a similar attempt to her 1st collected by Hobbs once again then she had to dive to her right quickly to keep out a stinging long range drive from the left, the resulting corner was a little chaotic as pinballing between players Doncaster got it clear and claim a 2-0 victory a morale boosting win and advance to the 4th round of the FA Cup. Always good to start the season with a win. I liked my 1st trip to Coles Lane and look forwards to seeing more of both Aston Villa and Doncaster Rovers Belles in action once WSL 2 begins.