An early start this morning hitting the road for a trip up the A1 to the North East for another weekend of women's football. A chance to take a 1st look at one of the two remaining FAWSL 2 teams I have yet to see play live this season - Durham Women FC.
The early start due to the earlier than usual kick-off time at 11:00am. The game had been moved forwards by a day also than originally scheduled, which was fortunate as England Women take on Sweden in an international friendly in Hartlepool tomorrow allowing myself and others to take advantage and make a weekend of it.
Durham Women FC have the unenviable position of propping up the FAWSL 2 league table after a tough start to life in the league having played 6, winning 1 and losing 5 on 3 points. Challenging opponents today in Doncaster Rovers Belles, sitting 2nd in the league table still unbeaten having played 7, won 5 and drawn 2. Were 2 points behind league leaders Sunderland Ladies and with them not playing until tomorrow this match represented an opportunity for Doncaster Rovers Belles to take top spot and put the pressure onto their rivals.
Durham Women FC, the Wildcats, play at New Ferens Park, not too far off the A1 itself easy enough to find. Is a 3G surface the ground having one main stand running along the side of the pitch. Refreshments available I was in need of a cup of tea more than anything else. The weather was pleasant but overcast rain looked to be in the air had fallen over night to, hopefully it would stay away for the match.
Durham Women FC starting XI - Danielle Hill, Ellie Christon, Sarah Wilson, Caroline Dixon (C), Jennifer King, Beth Hepple, Emily Scott, Zoe Ness, Rebecca Hanratty, Jordan Atkinson & Beth Jennings.
Doncaster Rovers Belles starting XI - Nicola Hobbs, Ashleigh Mills, Rhiannon Roberts, Leanda Little (C), Victoria Williams, Kasia Lipka, Beth England, Millie Bright, Sue Smith, Reanne Thomas & Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.
With regular full backs, Lauren Cresswell not in the squad and Lyndsey Cunningham on the bench it was Ashleigh Mills playing at right back and Victoria Williams at left back for Doncaster who kicked off thr game in their away kit of red shirts and socks with black shorts against Durham in their kit of white shirts and socks with blue shorts.
Both sides have a number of tall players in their sides and early on Doncaster win a corner which is delivered in well by Sue Smith from the right, up from the back Doncaster captain Leandra Little is adjudged to have fouled Durham goalkeeper Danielle Hills as she attempts to win the ball.
Doncaster are looking to press forwards in the opening minutes try to play a couple of through balls into midfield runners Millie Bright almost through save for a great interception to steal the ball off her foot. Playing just one up top Durham are giving Doncaster's full back space to run into Ashleign Mills on the right breaks with a good burst of pace past the Durham defence gets a fierce cross in that Hill can't claim Reanne Thomas is coming in at the far post can't control the ball as she sends it back across the goal and is cleared.
The play is starting to even out a little Durham winning the ball back and looking to get it forwards to striker Beth Jennings. Jordan Atkinson operating down the right for Durham is getting some joy winning the ball back and having a run looking to find the run of Jennings, Little makes a vital interception to stop the move.
Atkinson and Jennings link up again for another attack this one halted by the offside flag. Playing just the one up front is allowing Doncaster's defenders a lot of time on the ball, with space to run into central defender Rhiannon Roberts takes the ball the length of the pitch unmarked lays it off to the equally unmarked Mills who fires the ball into the penalty area Courtney Sweetman-Kirk gets on the end of it her shot blocked at point blank range.
Atkinson with another break down the right channel launches a cross towards the near post Jennings is there rising to header the ball can't get strong enough contact her attempt goes across the six yard box and wide.
Doncaster break with purpose the move leading to Sweetman-Kirk playing the ball through to Reanne Thomas in on goal Hill comes out to save the ball at her feet. Another Doncaster attack finds the ball coming into Sweetman-Kirk's feet on the edge of the box can't quite free the ball up for a shot lays it wide to Mills she plays it back to Sweetman-Kirk who gets a shot away this time curling towards the far post low Hill is alert and makes the save.
Good work from Sue Smith out on the left beating her marker passes to the supporting Beth England who shoots from 25 yards her effort wide of goal. Smith this time play in Sweetman-Kirk inside the box she twists and turns trying to find away through but Durham are back in numbers and clear the danger.
Beth England wins the ball back in midfield drives forwards passes to Sue Smith on the right this time she runs towards the 18 yard box turns inside to have a shot on her left foot a curling effort again Hill is there to make the save.
At the other end a strong run by Rebecca Hanratty sees her put a cross into the box Doncaster goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs comes out to claim the ball. In the closing minutes of the half the ball is moving from end to end neither keeper is troubled however both defences standing firm.
Half-time Durham Women FC 0-0 Doncaster Rovers Belles
A strong defensive display from Durham in the 1st half have worked hard as a team to win the ball getting it forwards with limited success, Doncaster have had the better of the chances only to find Durham keeper Danielle Hill well placed to take the ball.
The Wildcats make a change at half time Rebecca Hanratty coming off, her replacement Jess Round as they kick off the 2nd half as a little rain starts to fall.
Doncaster have the early possession the ball with Sweetman-Kirk inside the box she can't get her shot away an ends up fouling Durham captain Caroline Dixon. Millie Bright has the ball strikes a firm shot towards goal, Hill is there though to make the save.
The early pressure Doncaster have put on Durham is eased with a free kick being awarded to the home side on the half way line Caroline Dixon plays the dead ball into the box Zoe Ness rises for the ball, with her though is Leandra Little and Doncaster get the ball away.
Durham though are coming into the half more win a corner that is played into the box going through the crowd comes out to Ness on the edge of the six yard box her shot though is high and wild. With Jess Round in midfield, Ness is having more time on the ball influencing the play. Doncaster make a change Lyndsey Cunningham coming on for Beth England.
Cunningham goes to left back with Victoria Williams moving into the midfield for the visitors. Mills has a chance to put a ball in from the right a fierce effort towards the near post that Hill needs two attempts to gather.
Smith has the ball at her feet again tries to go it alone but is stopped by good sliding tackle from Dixon. Sweetman-Kirk comes off for Doncaster to be replaced by Jemma Purfield.
Durham work the ball down the left a cross coming into Jennings on the edge of the box, she gets a shot away smashing it straight into Little the ball spinning loose comes to Beth Hepple her shot is blazed over.
There's frustration creeping into Doncaster's play as they struggle to find away through Durham's defences. Bright has a shot from long range is deflected as it strikes Ness, Hill though see's it all the way and makes the save.
Kasia Lipka decides to have a go for goal from distance a great chance it is arrowing for the top corner needs an acrobatic save from Hill to tip it over the bar.
Millie Bright is through on goal a powerful run looks set to pull the trigger inside the box, Dixon makes a fantastic saving tackle to prod the ball away for another corner.
The minutes are ticking down Doncaster are throwing everything forwards, Durham are throwing everything into defending their goal. The visitors make their final change Reanne Thomas coming off for Molly Johnson. Little goes forwards.
If anything Durham are getting more possession allowing them to attack with Jennings holding the ball up well allowing team mates to join her a shot from long range is put narrowly wide of Nicola Hobbs goal by Jennifer King. At the other end Little tries to lob Hill from a long way out receiving the ball wide left the attempt wide.
Jennings having run herself into the ground is taken off to be replaced by Vic Linsley in the closing minutes as Doncaster look for a winning goal.
It almost comes from Ashleigh Mills! Hill is beaten for once from a stinging long range effort, the ball though smashes into the cross bar and down into the six yard box and cleared for a corner.
The last attack is Durham's as Atkinson with the ball inside the box turns and shoots Hobbs saving is it goes narrowly wide for a corner. The corner comes through to Ness who putting her foot through the ball smashes it behind the goal.
Full time and the game ends goalless 0-0.
A great result for Durham, getting a point off a promotion chasing side. Was a solid team performance defended well and had to soak up a lot of Doncaster pressure. They move onto 4 points still bottom but a performance to build on.
Doncaster will be hugely frustrated and disappointed with this result a real blow dropping 2 more points in the title hunt they stay 2nd a point off the top, created a host of chances were dominant in possession but couldn't find a way past Hill.
Still from a spectators point of view that was an entertaining game even for a 0-0.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
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