Doncaster Rovers Belles are back in the top flight of women's football in England after a 2 year absence the reasons for their 'relegation' having been long discussed, the club has recovered on and off the pitch in that time keeping together to seal Operation Promotion in 2015, just pipped to the FAWSL 2 title by Reading FC Women on goal difference nevertheless went up as runners-up as FAWSL 1 expands from 8 sides to 9 competing in 2016 with another club being added in 2017 to make it 10 sides in both divisions.
The newly promoted club has been busy in close season, investment has come in and the club will soon have it's own purpose built training facilty with a large number of their squad becoming full-time professionals for the 1st time. Manager Glen Harris has brought in a few new faces to the squad all bringing a different dimension to the side. Striker Natasha Dowie joins from Liverpool Ladies along with ex Belles player Becky Easton and Icelandic midfielder Katrin Omarsdottir. Jessica Sigsworth is back with the club after a season with Notts County Ladies. Young Arsenal Ladies starlet, Carla Humphrey is on loan to the club for the season and Anna Mooorhouse will provide the competition for Nicola Hobbs in goal. Australian, Alexandra Gummer on trial with the club during the close season will provide further options down the left side.
Chelsea Ladies missed out on the title on the final day of the 2014 season, coming so close manager Emma Hayes recruited well during the off season to see her side lead the way from much of last season winning 10 of their 14 league matches
The two sides met just 4 days ago at the Keepmoat Stadium, in the FA Women's Cup 5th Round. Chelsea knocking Doncaster out of the competition winning the game 4-1. Now they both begin their league campaign. Emma Hayes is a shrewd operator in the transfer market, happy to bring in experience to benefit the team as well as pick up younger players to develop. To that end they have brought in Karen Carney, with goalkeeper Becky Spencer also arriving from Birmingham City Ladies. Signed Millie Bright from Doncaster Rovers Belles last season have got another favourite with The Belles fans this season too, Bethany England who can play anywhere in the middle or attack and was instrumental in helping Doncaster to promotion last season. Another player arriving with huge potential is midfielder, Jade Bailey from Arsenal Ladies.
Busy at the Keepmoat Stadium tonight, along of people around, outside ground, and a lot of vehicles and cables around too with BT Sports filming the match live. Was a good night weather wise for the match felt like spring dry and clear.
Doncaster Rovers Belles starting XI - Nicola Hobbs, Emily Simpkins, Sophie Barker, Rhiannon Roberts, Leandra Little (C), Kasia Lipka, Sam Teirney, Becky Easton, Jess Sigsworth, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk & Natasha Dowie
subs - Anna Moorhouse, Alexandra Gummer, Yasmin Mosby, Rachel Newborough, Izzy Little, Tilly Hallas Potts & Lauren Breen.
Chelsea Ladies starting XI - Hedvig Lindahl, Hannah Blundell, Claire Rafferty, Gilly Flaherty, Niamh Fahey, Katie Chapman (C), Ji So Yun, Mille Bright, Bethany England, Karen Carney & Eniola Aluko.
subs - Frances Kitching, Gemma Davison, Fran Kirby, Jenna Legg, Drew Spence, Jade Bailey & Laura Rafferty.
Walking out under the lights at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster Rovers Belles had a few players out through injury. Sue Smith most notable as she was in front of the camera doing punditry for BT Sports, missing too were Carla Humphrey and Katrin Omarsdottir with the bench filled with young development squad players. Dowie and Easton are both in the starting XI along with Sigsworth. Chelsea Ladies in contrast have a strong bench to compliment their starting XI which includes Carney and England making her 1st competitive start for the club in the wide attacking positions supporting Eniola Aluko.
It's Chelsea to kick of the match wearing their away colours white shirts and shorts with blue socks, Doncaster lined up opposite in their yellow shirts and socks with blue shorts. There is little action inside the box in the opening minutes with both sides harrying each other on the ball in the centre of the park, neither able to get it down and play. Carney holding level with the shoulder of the last defender peels away running on into the area as the ball is sent over the top for her to chase, Nicola Hobbs in the Doncaster goal sees the threat and coming to meet Carney stays big does enough to keep her away from the ball.
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| Becky Easton |
5 minutes gone and Doncaster win the 1st corner of the match after a spell of sustained possession in the right deep inside the Chelsea half. The ball is whipped in with plenty of pace an in swinging ball into the centre of goal, Swedish International goalkeeper, Hedvig Lindahl punches the ball away. Breaking from right back, Chelsea's Hannah Blundell surges up the pitch looks to play the ball into the middle for Ji So Yun then continue on down the wing looking for the return ball, it doesn't come as the Korean star is tackled by Becky Easton playing in midfield tonight.
Chelsea have their 1st corner of the match as captain Katie Chapman is put in on the right flank as she runs into the space behind, looks to send in a cross along the six yard line, Doncaster's Rhiannon Roberts intercepts heading the ball behind to concede the set piece. Carney to take the ball is flicked on by So-Yun but doesn't find anyone in a white shirt beyond as Doncaster bring it away.
Aluko makes a run into get in behind as the ball is won in the middle the pass placed into her run right of goal heading for the area, Doncaster captain Leandra Little runs back to try and stop her as Aluko carries the ball into the box and hits it goal wards, a powerful hit Hobbs is beaten the rising ball past her smashes against the crossbar and over.
GOAL! Penalty for Chelsea following a surging run into the box on the right by former Belles player, Millie Bright is up ended by Little as she enters the box. It's Carney to take the spot kick. Hits it with plenty of pace the ball flying into the back of the net, right of the diving Hobbs who can't get near it. 0-1. 12 minutes played.
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| Karen Carney, gives Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot |
In defence for Chelsea, Niamh Fahey brings the ball on for the visitors with Blundell to her right setting on up the wing for a marauding run, gets the ball from Fahey and drives forwards pushing deep into Doncaster territory turns into the area, evading a half challenge to get in behind looks to fire her cross along the face of goal, squeezes pass Hobbs at the near post to reach England beyond the ball gets stuck under her feet, tries to flick it over the line with her heal the contact is soft the ball doesn't get very far before Hobbs is down to claim it.
GOAL! Doncaster get back on level terms inside 5 minutes of falling behind. The attack starting in the middle of the park with Kasia Lipka tackling to win the ball play it quickly into Dowie ahead of her central, holding it up has Courtney Sweetman-Kirk calling for it on her left as she runs into space the ball is lifted over to her outside the area sends a fantastic cross in towards the far post area, Sigsworth leaps can't get her head to te ball comes at Claire Rafferty beyond with alot of pace she lifts a foot attempting to cut it out, ends up knocking the ball back down to roll across the face of goal and creep over the line, own goal 1-1.
Carney has switched flanks with England coming across to the right side is played in by Aluko in the centre, running into the area with the ball, Little comes to her to try and prevent the cross, Carney with good foot work shifts it enough to get the cross around the Doncaster captain, her centre back partner Roberts is there beyond to cut out the ball.
GOAL! Time on the ball in the middle, Chapman has Blundell setting off on another surging run down the right. Sends a cross looping up towards the far post which is headed behind for a corner kick. Carney takes the set-piece on the left side comes in low towards the near post is turned behind for a 2nd corner. From this one Chelsea regain the lead Carney's delivery goes further this time picks out England who rises unchallenged in front of the six yard box to power her header into the back of the net 1-2. Her celebration is muted as she scores against her former club.
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| Karen Carney |
Flare up between Gilly Flaherty and Dowie as the striker is bundled over tries to hold onto the ball, Flaherty makes two stabs for it before players converge on them both the referee sorts it out has a word with Flaherty. From the resulting kick on half way the ball is swept up to Little on the edge of the area, right attempts to control the header knock it down across the six yard box drops wide at the far post.
Rafferty gets forwards down the left linking up with Carney before the cross is played into the box with Bright inside getting hold of the shot, sends her strike high over the bar. 5 minutes left off the 1st half Doncaster are working hard to close Chelsea down but doing so deep inside their own half are struggling to get it up to their attackers, Dowie seeing little of the ball.
Blundell is in again down the right, acres of grass to run into, Sigsworth tracks back to attempt to stop the cross, Blundell evades her challenge turns inside into the box, Hobbs had started to come to support Sigsworth outside her goal composes herself as Blundell hits the ball, keeps her eye in it and claims well even as England comes flying in trying to get in front of her.
GOAL! Little cuts out a cross from Carney putting the ball out for a corner kick. Deja Vu as with the previous goal the 1st corner is put behind by Hobbs at the near post. Carney sends the 2nd corner longer out towards the far post on the edge of the six yard box Chapman is the player to rise without challenge to head the back home to give Chelsea a 1-3 lead in the closing minute of the 1st half.
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| Katie Chapman |
Carney stands the ball up inside the box sending it along the six yard line is just too high for England leaping far post. Chelsea come again Hobbs punches the cross away rolls ball to Carney on the left, rolls it towards Bright bursting forwards from midfield meets it 20 yards out sends her arrowed shot wide of goal.
Sam Tierney is followed as she looks to get forwards for Doncaster central outside the area the ball is sent spinning away into the box the referee playing advantage, brings it back as Lindahl sliding in beats Dowie to the ball. Dowie to take the free kick curls the ball aiming for the top corner, close but not close enough as it sails behind for a goal kick, last action of the 1st half.
Half-time Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-3 Chelsea Ladies
Doncaster conceding from 3 set pieces in the 1st half have invited Chelsea onto them a little bit too much which has made it hard to get anything going in the final 3rd themselves. Sweetman-Kirk and Sigsworth putting in a lot of work tracking back. Chelsea have used the ball well given time on it at the back the full backs have supported the attack and particularly down the right Blundell has gotten into some good crossing positions.
Doncaster to get the 2nd half underway. A give and go between Lipka and Dowie in the middle sees the midfielder send the ball in behind the Chelsea defence on the right, no one has gambled as Lindahl comes to gather. Carney gets onto the ball down the right carries it forwards before squaring to Aluko central in front of the box hits the pass on the turn sending it out left to England looking to charge into the area, a timely interception by Simpkins beaks up the attack.
Chelsea are popping the ball about well short triangles before spreading the play wide to either Carney or England. The latter is sent away down the left again closing on the corner whips the cross into the area, Hobbs throws herself down to grab the ball mishandles, but recovers quickly to reclaim the loose ball with white shirts closing in. Another England cross is squared into the Doncaster area, Aluko 8 yards out has both Little and Roberts in front of her tries to curl her shot around Little, Roberts has it covered blocks the shot behind her.
Flaherty and Dowie square up again the Chelsea defender furious as the decision goes against her, gets a long talking to from the referee whose not interested in her protests. The free kick is send it from the wide left position into the Chelsea box the visitors defend comfortably. Sigsworth and Lipka combine on the left as Doncaster attack keeping the ball between them eventually working Sigsworth into a good crossing position the ball is fired in along the six yard line Dowie coming near post twists and stoops trying to get her head on the ball doesn't connect Sweetman-Kirk closing in central can't get anything on the ball either as Chelsea scramble it away for a corner kick. Is another good delivery send in under the crossbar, again Lindahl is confident in the take on her line.
A double change for Chelsea, with Carney and Flaherty coming off, Gemma Davison and Fran Kirby enter the contest with 25 minutes left on the clock. The double substitution sees Millie Bright take up a defensive role along side Niamh Fahey. Fahey is the 1st player booked as she goes in rashly on Lipka, players from both sides come together the referee calls Fahey to him and brandishes the card.
Little defending gets her head onto a Davison shot from distance heading for the top corner takes it wide for a corner kick. Chelsea pressing So Yun travelling into the box from the right, shoots firing the ball across the goal, Barker is back clears the ball off the line at the far post. Sigsworth is working hard up top not only to help defend but try and get something going for Doncaster, taking the ball on into space in front of the Chelsea defence is one on one with her old team mate Bright, a heavy touch as she tries to push inside the area gives Bright the chance to reclaim the ball.
Free kick to Doncaster after what looked a fair 50/50 challenge on the right side, Roberts to play the ball into the area, Dowie makes a run looking to get across the keeper as Lindahl comes, never takes her eye off the ball claims well. Change for Doncaster as Tierney is subbed off with Rachel Newborough coming on to make her debut for the 1st team. Chelsea make their 3rd change with 15 minutes left sending on Jade Bailey for England.
Space for So Yun in the middle, takes advantage of it inside the Doncaster half, Kirby ahead of her right of the D wants it put into her body, controls and looks to turn drive into the area, Barker is in close proximity and tackles well.
GOAL! Davison pulling away to the right with the ball as Chelsea build up an attack cuts the ball back into the area, So Yun leaves it travels onto Aluko free inside the D wraps her foot around the ball and strokes it home into the goal to make it 1-4 with less than 10 minutes to play.
Easton come off for Doncaster as they send on another youngster with Yasmin Mosby introduced to the action in the closing minutes. Kirby ends up on the ground inside the box after she and Aluko try to exchange passes inside the Doncaster area Kirby in from the right puts it back to Aluko, wants it back his challenged by Little as she receives the ball no foul Doncaster bring it out but are stopped as the referee blows for the trainer to come on for Kirby.
Kirby is okay back on receives the ball from Davison in the middle as she brings it on, Kirby sends the ball wide left to Aluko with Rafferty going through on the overlap puts her cross along the six yard box, comes to So-Yun 3 yards out tries the back heel, doesn't get any pace on the ball, Hobbs is able to see it in time and throw herself on the ball.
That's it the final whistle blows and it's as you were on Sunday at the Keepmoat Stadium Chelsea winning 4-1 to get their 1st 3 point haul of the new season. Good game played well having the movement and energy to keep Doncaster busy inside their own half. Scoring from 3 set pieces, look in good shape as they begin the defence of their title.
A disappointing result for Doncaster in their 1st league game back in the top flight conceding from the 3 set pieces far from ideal. Still plenty to suggest they will be okay in the FAWSL this season a break now until their next match thing's to work on and getting players back to fitness. A record breaking night for attendance too at the Keepmoat Stadium for The Belles, 1165 coming to watch great to see and a testament to the work put in behind the scenes.
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| Natasha Dowie |
Chelsea are popping the ball about well short triangles before spreading the play wide to either Carney or England. The latter is sent away down the left again closing on the corner whips the cross into the area, Hobbs throws herself down to grab the ball mishandles, but recovers quickly to reclaim the loose ball with white shirts closing in. Another England cross is squared into the Doncaster area, Aluko 8 yards out has both Little and Roberts in front of her tries to curl her shot around Little, Roberts has it covered blocks the shot behind her.
Flaherty and Dowie square up again the Chelsea defender furious as the decision goes against her, gets a long talking to from the referee whose not interested in her protests. The free kick is send it from the wide left position into the Chelsea box the visitors defend comfortably. Sigsworth and Lipka combine on the left as Doncaster attack keeping the ball between them eventually working Sigsworth into a good crossing position the ball is fired in along the six yard line Dowie coming near post twists and stoops trying to get her head on the ball doesn't connect Sweetman-Kirk closing in central can't get anything on the ball either as Chelsea scramble it away for a corner kick. Is another good delivery send in under the crossbar, again Lindahl is confident in the take on her line.
A double change for Chelsea, with Carney and Flaherty coming off, Gemma Davison and Fran Kirby enter the contest with 25 minutes left on the clock. The double substitution sees Millie Bright take up a defensive role along side Niamh Fahey. Fahey is the 1st player booked as she goes in rashly on Lipka, players from both sides come together the referee calls Fahey to him and brandishes the card.
Little defending gets her head onto a Davison shot from distance heading for the top corner takes it wide for a corner kick. Chelsea pressing So Yun travelling into the box from the right, shoots firing the ball across the goal, Barker is back clears the ball off the line at the far post. Sigsworth is working hard up top not only to help defend but try and get something going for Doncaster, taking the ball on into space in front of the Chelsea defence is one on one with her old team mate Bright, a heavy touch as she tries to push inside the area gives Bright the chance to reclaim the ball.
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| Ji So-Yun on the ball for Chelsea Ladies |
Free kick to Doncaster after what looked a fair 50/50 challenge on the right side, Roberts to play the ball into the area, Dowie makes a run looking to get across the keeper as Lindahl comes, never takes her eye off the ball claims well. Change for Doncaster as Tierney is subbed off with Rachel Newborough coming on to make her debut for the 1st team. Chelsea make their 3rd change with 15 minutes left sending on Jade Bailey for England.
Space for So Yun in the middle, takes advantage of it inside the Doncaster half, Kirby ahead of her right of the D wants it put into her body, controls and looks to turn drive into the area, Barker is in close proximity and tackles well.
GOAL! Davison pulling away to the right with the ball as Chelsea build up an attack cuts the ball back into the area, So Yun leaves it travels onto Aluko free inside the D wraps her foot around the ball and strokes it home into the goal to make it 1-4 with less than 10 minutes to play.
Easton come off for Doncaster as they send on another youngster with Yasmin Mosby introduced to the action in the closing minutes. Kirby ends up on the ground inside the box after she and Aluko try to exchange passes inside the Doncaster area Kirby in from the right puts it back to Aluko, wants it back his challenged by Little as she receives the ball no foul Doncaster bring it out but are stopped as the referee blows for the trainer to come on for Kirby.
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| Jess Sigsworth challenges Chelsea's Claire Rafferty |
Kirby is okay back on receives the ball from Davison in the middle as she brings it on, Kirby sends the ball wide left to Aluko with Rafferty going through on the overlap puts her cross along the six yard box, comes to So-Yun 3 yards out tries the back heel, doesn't get any pace on the ball, Hobbs is able to see it in time and throw herself on the ball.
That's it the final whistle blows and it's as you were on Sunday at the Keepmoat Stadium Chelsea winning 4-1 to get their 1st 3 point haul of the new season. Good game played well having the movement and energy to keep Doncaster busy inside their own half. Scoring from 3 set pieces, look in good shape as they begin the defence of their title.
A disappointing result for Doncaster in their 1st league game back in the top flight conceding from the 3 set pieces far from ideal. Still plenty to suggest they will be okay in the FAWSL this season a break now until their next match thing's to work on and getting players back to fitness. A record breaking night for attendance too at the Keepmoat Stadium for The Belles, 1165 coming to watch great to see and a testament to the work put in behind the scenes.
I'd doggy katie Chapman
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