Start of a new season this was to be the 1st competitive game in charge for Doncaster Rovers Belles new head coach Glen Harris, returning to top flight women's football having previously been in charge of Lincoln Ladies. A number of ex Lincoln players aleady at Doncaster, Harris was quick to secure the signature of an ex Lincoln player Sophie Barker, along with winger Emily Roberts who has come in on loan from Notts County Ladies along with the experienced goalkeeper Danielle Hill and Jody Handley from Everton Ladies. Have lost two fans favourites to FAWSL1 with Jess Sigsworth and Millie Bright moving onto Notts County Ladies and Chelsea Ladies respectfully.
Was a tough debut season in FAWSL2 for the London Bees, struggled to pick up points, manager Julian Broomes has retained 10 players from last season, whilst adding new faces with Samantha Miller coming in from West Ham, Ashleigh Goodard and Leigh Nicol from Reading FC Women along with defender Jemma Connor-Iommi joining from Oxford United Women. A new season London Bees will hope it's less turbulant, victory in the 3rd round of the FA Women's Cup would give both clubs the perfect boost.
The fixture moved from it's original Sunday slot meant I was able to travel up to the Keepmoat Stadium on a cold and chilly Saturday evening, a chance to catch up with a few old friends from my Lincoln Ladies supporting day too. The snow that was falling in Norfolk cleared as I headed up the A17 onto the A1 and arrived at the stadium.
Doncaster Rovers Belles starting XI - Nicola Hobbs, Lyndsey Cunningham, Leandra Little (C), Rhiannon Roberts, Lauren Cresswell, Kasia Lipka, Bethany England, Sophie Barker, Hope Knight, Sue Smith & Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.
subs - Reanne Thomas, Danielle Hill, Nicole Dale, Ashleigh Mills & Molly Johnson.
London Bees starting XI - Sophie Harris, Jemma Conner-Iommi, Jade Dempster (C), Loiuse Fellows, Aoife Hurley, Rebecca Anderson, Paula Howells, Leigh Nicol, Ashleigh Goddard, Amber Gaylor & Lucy Loomes.
subs - Paula Hoya, Paige Wakefield, Samantha Miller, Andria Georgiou & Billie Brooks.
With Doncaster beating London Bees 9-0 on the final day last season they were in most people's eyes favourites to progress into the 4th round. New season though forget old results as London Bees all in blue kicked off the match with Doncaster lined up in opposition in yellow shirts and socks with blue shorts.
London Bees are lined up with 4 at the back then 2-3-1 in front with Lucy Loomes the lone attacker, with Doncaster playing 4-3-3 with Sophie Barker in the middle with Bethany England in front of Kasia Lipka in the holding role. A tentative start from both sides as they look to test each other out a heavy back pass puts Doncaster goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs under unnecassary pressure, she gets the ball clear with Loomes sencing an opportunity to steal in.
Out on the right hand side of the pitch Sue Smith puts a cross in from deep looking for England who has sprinted into the box, bringing the ball down on the edge of the six yard box she has Hope Knight in close support tries to set her up, doesn't come off as London Bees recover to clear the ball.
The visitors are keeping a diciplined shape with everyone looking to keep it tight and harry Doncaster when they are on the ball, playing a high line at times both Smith and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk are caught offside. In attack Loomes pressing, gets hold of the ball has Amber Gaylor making the run into the box putting the ball into her feet Gaylor passes the ball to Leigh Nicol the no 8 places her shot wide of goal.
From right back Doncaster's Lyndsey Cunningham is allowed to travel with the ball, has Smith in front of her, playing the ball into her feet, Smith cuts back inside and launches the ball into the area. In the box Sweetman-Kirk finds herself in space, gets her head to the ball, puts it over the bar.
London Bees goalkeeper Sophie Harris is called into action as Smith coming into the middle plays the ball out to Lauren Cresswell, racing to the by line she does well to get a cross into the area is threatening to sneak under the crossbar and in, Harris get's a glove to it keep it out. Smith getting on the ball outside the area looks to take players on jinks her way into the box, Harris is out to close her down saves well as Smith shoots.
Doncaster have a corner from the left put into the area, captain Leandra Little makes the run across everyone to meet the ball, getting her head on the ball drills her effort wide. From another corner London Bees win the ball and the break is on as they get the ball up the pitch to Loomes, head down she is looking to get into the box it's Rhiannon Roberts who races back covering alot of ground to get back and put the tackle in London Bees win a corner.
Players up from the back the ball drops to Jemma Connor-Iommi six yards out, she can't dig the ball out from her feet to get the shot away as Doncaster get it out only as far as Rebecca Anderson on the right she fires it into the crowded near post area a blue shirt gets a touch the ball though goes past the wrong side of the post.
Out on the right Sweetman-Kirk plays the ball across the 18 yard line into England with Knight on the overlap Aoife Hurley at right back finds herself outnumbered, does well to keep an eye on England doesn't let her past her wins the ball. As Smith looks to join the attack Hurley is on hand again to make the tackle see the ball back to Harris in goal.
Hurley's not letting Smith past her so Doncaster play the ball across the pitch into Lipka out to the right with Cunningham in space, the cross is played low into the box with Sweetman-Kirk making the run she looks to place it into the bottom corner, Harris is down quickly to make the save.
Half-time Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-0 London Bees
0-0 at the break had the feel of a pre-season friendly, with both sides returning to competitive action. A much improved London Bees performance, have created little in front of goal but have worked hard to maintain a good shape and have been disciplined in their approach. Doncaster have created chances had opportunities to take the lead would they break the deadlock as they kicked off the 2nd half.
Starts pretty much the same as the 1st with Doncaster looking to use the width more, on the left Hope Knight puts a cross into the box with Sweetman-Kirk looking to meet it Harris comes off her line to intercept the ball, catches well.
Paula Howells takes the ball out to the left, Amber Gaylor has made up the ground to get into the box, Howells gets her cross into her, with Little and Roberts squeezing her down Gaylor's attempted shot is blocked and danger cleared.
Kasia Lipka is given the space inside the London Bees half to travel with the ball, 30 yards out she let's fly, Harris is caught flat footed as the ball sails past her, can only turn and look as the ball cannons off the post and flies along the face of her goal and out of play.
GOAL! Doncaster finally bring the deadlock, with Barker and Lipka pressing hard in the centre to get the ball, it is played back to Roberts who launches a high ball towards the box England is up joining the attack glances the ball on and past Harris into the back of the net 1-0.
Sweetman-Kirk running along the line manages to beat the linesmans flag this time is on the ball and through on goal, Harris denies her as she comes out and makes the save with her legs putting the ball out for a throw. It's all Doncaster at the moment, Smith almost steals in skipping over one challenge heads for the box Howells coming back puts in a fantastic tackle to stop her.
Doncaster make the 1st change with Hope Knight coming off the pitch to be replaced by Reanne Thomas.
GOAL! A well worked team goal from Doncaster for their 2nd of the match as the ball won at the back is passed to England in her own half she plays a great cross field pass out to the left for Smith to get onto, stretching London Bees Smith plays the ball into the area behind their defenders weighted perfectly for Sweetman-Kirk to run onto and stab past Harris to make it 2-0.
Aoife Hurley has gone down is struggling with an injury London Bees make the change as she comes off with Andria Goergiou coming on. Doncaster make 2 more changes with Cunningham and Barker having a rest as Ashleigh Mills and Molly Johnson come on.
Doncaster have a freekick wide right halfway between the box and centre circle, Smith over the ball plays it low into Lipka on the edge of the box she gets it back out to Smith who plays the ball back into the area with the outside of her boot, the ball is headed clear falling back to Smith...
GOAL! Smith is brought down again outside the box on the right corner a yard out. It's Smith standing over the ball as London Bees set up their wall. Smith curls the ball over the wall Harris shuffles across to meet it, one she will want to forget as getting her gloves to it the ball slips through and drops over the line to bring up the 3rd goal 3-0.
Out wide left England has been all over the place 2nd half fires in a vicious cross towards the near post at head height, Harris' save is instintive throws a glove up does well as the ball is deflected up onto the crossbar, before being cleared.
Doncaster have a good shout for a penalty as Smith is clipped inside the box as she attempts to find room to shoot after good work between Lipka and Mills on the right, the referee waves the appeals away.
Late into the game Loomes has had little to chase, comes back to take the ball turns taking the ball right. Takes the shot from the edge of the area a good height, Hobbs in the Doncaster goal sees it all the way. Leigh Nicol stays strong not letting go of the ball as she gets it in front of the Doncaster defence plays a one two with Georgiou before striking it from distance, Hobbs though is again well positioned to make the save.
The final whistle blows and Glen Harris wins his 1st competitive game in charge as Doncaster win 3-0 and progress into the 4th round of the FA Women's Cup. A strong 2nd half performance from the home side.
A good 1st half performance from the London Bees working hard and keeping a good shape will be disappointed to concede 3 in the 2nd half but a good platform to build on going into the FAWSL2 season.
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