Both sides looking to reach the quarter finals of the competition and with it hope the victory will kick start their season as this is a clash between the two sides currently bottom of FAWSL 1.
Newly promoted back to the top flight of women's football after a 2 season absence, Doncaster Rovers Belles have gotten off to the worst possible start to life back in FAWSL 1 losing all of the matches to date. The poor start saw manager Glen Harris dismissed after just 3 league games played. A turbulent time having lost FAWSL top scorer from last season Courtney Sweetman-Kirk to a fractured leg early in the season and recently high profile signings Becky Easton and Natasha Dowie have left the club.
The club has promoted Emma Coates to the role of 1st team manager, has been able to bring in new faces whilst the transfer window was open during the mid-season break, Lauren Cresswell has re signed for the club a dead ball specialist who will provide a extra option in the wide position. Also coming in are Mayumi Pacheco from Liverpool Ladies to add defensive cover and Marta Batowska-Mathews to add more depth to the midfield.
For Sunderland AFC Ladies this is their 2nd season playing in FAWSL 1 and haven't gotten off to the start they did in 2015 where for a spell they were flirting with the title chasers eventually finishing 4th. From 8 league matches played so far this season have yet to win a league game with 3 draws and 5 defeats, will be looking to end a run of 4 straight defeats with a win today.
Perhaps a welcome distraction for both sides this weekend sees the 1st Round of a new look Continental Tyres Cup taking place, gone is the group format. Straight into a knock-out competition with a preliminary round played to see 16 sees in the 1st Round draw with the FAWSL 1 clubs seeded to play a lower ranked club who get home advantage. Doncaster Rovers Belles have the home advantage although with their usual home venue the Keepmoat Stadium not quite ready after having the pitch reseeded today's match is taking place at Sheffield FC Ladies, Home of Football Stadium.
A nice compact stadium, good lay out around a large pitch a stand behind one goal another standing area covered on one side. The Coach and Horses pub nestling in one corner, worth a visit too. Was a hot day a little cloud cover but no chance of rain. The pitch looked a little uneven and bobbly in places as the two sides walked out onto the pitch
Doncaster Rovers Belles starting XI - Nicola Hobbs, Sophie Barker, Rachel Newborough, Leandra Little (C), Rhiannon Roberts, Kasia Lipka, Emily Simpkins, Katrin Omarsdottir, Lauren Cresswell, Carla Humphrey & Jess Sigsworth.
subs - Anna Moorhouse, Samantha Tierney, Sue Smith, Mayumi Pacheco & Yasmin Mosby.
Sunderland AFC Ladies starting XI - Hilde Olsen, Abby Holmes, Danielle Brown, Hayley Sharp, Victoria Williams (C), Lucy Staniforth, Rachel Furness, Abbey Joice, Keira Ramshaw, Brooke Chaplin & Madelaine Hill
subs - Rachael Laws, Stephanie Bannon, Kelly McDougall, Beth Mead, Stephanie Roche & Charlotte Potts.
Lauren Cresswell was in the starting line-up for Doncaster operating in front of Sophie Barker at left back. Mayumi Pacheco was amongst the substitutes. Four changes for Sunderland from the side that lost 5-0 to Chelsea Ladies in mid-week with Rachael Laws, Stephanie Roche, Beth Mead and Stephanie Bannon starting on the bench, Victoria Williams wearing the captains armband. Are lined up wearing their red and white vertical striped shirts, with black shorts and socks as Doncaster wearing yellow shirts and socks with blue shorts kick off the 1st half.
Doncaster go long from the start sending a ball out to the right flank for Jess Sigsworth to chase can't get there an early kick off the ball for Sunderland goalkeeper Hilde Olsen. A break on for Sunderland as Keira Ramshaw latches onto a Doncaster throw put in from the right looks to send the ball up the pitch with Madelaine Hill making a run up front, Nicola Hobbs coming running out her area to clear the threat on her goal.
A quiet opening few minutes in terms of goal mouth action, both sides are snapping at each other in the middle of the park which is seeing passes misplaced. A throw to Doncaster mid-way inside the Sunderland half on the right sees the ball put into Sigsworth's feet, turning and taking the ball on unleashes a shot from the corner of the area, aiming near post Olsen has the angle covered and gathers the ball.
Williams comes across to the left to tackle Cresswell as she looks to get on the ball having been fed the ball up the line by Barker. From the resulting throw Carla Humphrey is brought down 25 yards from goal. Emily Simpkins is over the set-piece looks to lift the ball in towards the far post for players to attack, too much on it no one can latch onto the ball as it drops out of play.
Lucy Staniforth presses the ball high up the pitch winning in from Doncaster's defence right side in front of the box rolls the pass inside to Brooke Chaplin who goes for goal, drags her effort wide.A free kick out wide on the left brings them the 1st corner of the match the ball is put in long headed clear as Doncaster look to clear their box Sunderland right back Danielle Brown getting to the ball looks to hook it back high into the box, the visitors look to attack it but the offside flag is raised.
A spell of dominance from Sunderland, Staniforth working hard to close down the ball takes it on up the left flank before cutting inside and passing to Hill 20 yards from goal left of the D pulls the trigger, her effort is blocked at close quarters the deflection sees the ball run out to the right picked up by Ramshaw she powers a shot in towards the Doncaster goal, Hobbs coming across her goal does well to hold onto the ball. Abby Holmes brings the ball up the left from the back for Sunderland plays the pass into Chaplin ahead of her takes on the shot from outside the box takes a deflection running behind for a corner.
Doncaster having been put under the cosh by Sunderland break forwards the ball is with Humphrey a strong run on the ball, has Sigsworth peeling away to the left ahead of her, gets the ball, coming inside he cross is deflected up high into the air, Katrin Omarsdottir has made up the ground from midfield is after the dropping ball, can't quite get there as Olsen collects it on the bounce. Sigsworth and Omarsdottir link up moments later, the former getting hold of the ball and turning the Sunderland defence on the right, lays the ball inside to the Icelandic International who shoots from the corner of the area sees her strike charged down.
GOAL! Doncaster take the lead on 22 minutes scoring from their 1st corner of the game, won on the right side, Cresswell whips in a great delivery towards the near post, Doncaster captain Leandra Little coming to meet it stoops and head the ball on towards goal past the diving Olsen and in 1-0.
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| Leandra Little turns her header into the back of the net to give Doncaster the lead |
The goal sees Doncaster begin to dominate press players forwards winning a throw on the left Barker plays the ball back up the pitch to Humphrey who sees Cresswell moving to come inside towards the left corner of the area sends her the ball, Cresswell looks to lift a ball up towards the far post with both Sigsworth and Omarsdottir looking to attack it, just too close to Olsen the keeper jumps to claim the ball. A free kick is awarded to Doncaster inside the Sunderland half in front of the centre circle, Cresswell looks to lift the ball into the box, Little cries out in protest as she appears to be hauled to the ground by Williams but referee Jane Simms isn't interested.
Rachel Furness is going to battle for every ball in the midfield for Sunderland, winning it drives forwards a powerful run ends with a strike from 20 yards out Hobbs throws herself to her right the ball ends up in the side netting the keeper must have got something on the ball on the way through as a corner is awarded. Barker plays the ball long from the back aiming for Sigsworth already on the move through the centre Williams goes with her the two battle for the ball the Sunderland centre back getting a toe on the ball as they enter the box to put it back to Olsen to kick clear.
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| Rachel Furness attacks with the ball at her feet for Sunderland |
Humphrey gets the ball from Simpkins has Sigsworth moving into space wide left again gives her the ball, turning back inside Sigsworth looks to place a looping shot into the top corner of the net drops wide of target. From a Barker throw on the left Cresswell sends a high ball into the Sunderland area, Olsen lets it bounce almost costs her as it skips off the turf threatens to loop over her throws herself up and back tips the ball wide for the corner. Doncaster play the corner in from the right cleared near post lands at Omarsdottir's feet outside the box right off goal scuffs her attempted shot however the ball comes to Rhiannon Roberts just inside the box, before she can shoot the ball is pinched off her toe, rolls back to Kasia Lipka 25 yards out hits the ball hard back in towards goal throwing herself to her left Olsen produces a fantastic save to turn the shot over.
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| Doncaster's Jess Sigsworth looks to get away from Sunderland's Hayley Sharp |
Sunderland win a series of corners late in the half, two from the left two from the right, the closest of the 4 is played long to the far post Furness attacking it heads the ball onto the back of a defender to send the ball wide of goal. Up the other end Sigsworth tries to wriggle free on the right, Hayley Sharp goes with her the defender prevents her getting into the area and shooting.
Half-time Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-0 Sunderland AFC Ladies
A narrow advantage for Doncaster at half-time in an intriguing cup tie that has seen both sides on top for extended periods in the 1st half. Good football from both sides at times some nervousness in there play too is visible. Chances created both sides willing to use the whole pitch.
No changes at half-time as Sunderland get the 2nd half underway. The visitors start on the offensive the ball is played up to Chaplin her shot is blocked 20 yards from goal spins out for a throw on the left side. The ball is put up into the box from the throw falls favourably for Hill to attack it can't squeeze her shot away, the ball is cleared into the middle of the half, Doncaster give away a free kick. 35 yards out central, Staniforth is over the ball sends the ball up to the face of the box, Doncaster's right back Rachel Newborough heads the ball away from danger. The ball is reclaimed on the left as Doncaster try to clear the box lifted back into the mix Williams still in there, holds the ball up on the penalty spot before laying it off to Chaplin to the left of goal looks to place it top corner, just over.
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| Lucy Staniforth on the attack for Sunderland AFC Ladies |
Cresswell has switched sides at the start of the 2nd half now over on the right side gets ahead of play as Doncaster work the ball up the left side Barker onto Humphrey before being swept long looking for Cresswell moving to get into the area, Olsen comes and claims the ball keeps hold it it as Cresswell ends up on of her.
A mix up between the Doncaster centre backs getting attracted to the same ball put up from the back left side sees them both on the ground as the ball pops loose running to Ramshaw bursting through the centre charging forwards has Barker ahead of her the defender doing well to keep herself in a position to block as she back tracks Ramshaw smashing her shot against her it's deflected away for a corner from just inside the box.
Little clips Staniforth as the midfield looks to spin around her inside the Doncaster half. It's Staniforth over the free kick long into the area, Furness leaps can't quite get her head on the ball. Both sides looking a threat on the counter, Sunderland get the ball forwards into Chaplin right side has Staniforth up with her gives her the ball looks to whip a cross into the Doncaster box, is cleared behind for the corner kick. Change for Sunderland before the corner is taken Joice the player off, Stephanie Roche coming on with 62 minutes played.
GOAL! Another corner another goal Sunderland find the equaliser. Have looked to go deeper with their corners this one is played in to the back of the area for Furness to attack a central position gets up will to head the ball down, isn't cleared at it strikes a Doncaster body, lands inside the six yard box right side of goal bouncing up it's Ramshaw who lifts her leg and connects with the ball knocking it down and over the line before peeling away in celebration 1-1.
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| Keira Ramshaw scorer of the equalising goal for Sunderland |
Chaplin has been the furthest forwards for Sunderland for a large portion of the match, breaking away into space on the left, the diagonal ball finds it's way out to her, Roberts comes across to meet her, Chaplin tries to take the ball on get it past her into the area on the byline Roberts goes in to challenge ends up winning a goal kick off Chaplin. Roche goes on a run left side finding space as the ball is played out of the middle, receiving it get's flagged offside looked an unlucky call. Roche has another chance to put the ball in from the left as she gets it from Furness powering her way through the centre of midfield rolling it out to Roche left she whips a dangerous cross into the Doncaster area an inviting ball for Hill steaming in, too close to Hobbs the keeper stakes claim to the ball.
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| Sunderland's Stephanie Roche & Doncaster's Rachel Newborough battle for the ball. |
Powerful run on the ball from Sigsworth on the left side sees her shot from outside the box blocked by Sharp. A drive with the ball from Simpkins through the middle for Doncaster her shot 20 yards out is deflected into the path of Cresswell right a wild effort clears the stand behind the goal hits the Sunderland bus. Game is getting stretched scores level both sides fancy their chances of scoring again. Holmes does well up against Cresswell to head a long cross away from the left with both running towards goal.
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| Doncaster Rovers Belles, Sophie Barker |
Doncaster make their 1st change bringing on Pacheco for her debut replacing Newborough, sees a positional change as the versatile Barker switches to right back with Pacheco taking over at left back. Roche comes away with the ball after a challenge in the centre plays it long for Hill, Little is with her manages to play the ball back to Hobbs. 2nd sub for Doncaster as Lipka comes off, Samantha Tierney the player coming on. Both keepers are first to claim a through ball, Hobbs off Chaplin, Olsen gathers as Simpkins tries to play Humphrey through into her area. 10 minutes left to play. Omarsdottir out on the left looks to pick out Cresswell breaking into the box on the right, Holmes gets in front of her to head clear.
GOAL! The clearance from Holmes is reclaimed by Doncaster as they push bodies forwards comes to Sigsworth out left side deep in the Sunderland half the cross is played long again to the far post Cresswell is still out there only this time she is unmarked the delivery is pinpoint as she leaps up to nod the ball into the ball of the net from close range to see Doncaster retake the lead with 7 minutes left 2-1.
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| Lauren Cresswell scores on her return to the club |
Little time left to find a response and the goal has flattened Sunderland, they look to push forwards Staniforth attempts to send Chaplin away down the right, Doncaster lifted find an extra half a yard of pace to close the ball down. Furness won't be shoved off the ball as she drives through the middle unleashes a shot is blocked by Simpkins the deflection sees the ball spin into the path of Ramshaw running forwards edge of the area Roberts lunges for the ball just about gets her toes on it to take it away from Ramshaw.
Into injury time Doncaster give away a corner right side, Roberts puts the initial ball behind for another corner at the near post. The 2nd corner goes long Sharp meets it with her head looks to send the ball back across goal the ball drops wide of goal. Humphrey is replaced in the closing seconds Yasmin Mosby getting on just as the final whistle blows and it's Doncaster who can celebrate a win at last as they beat Sunderland 2-1 to book their quarter final spot in the 2016 Continental Tyres Cup.
A lively contest with both sides putting in alot to close the ball down and use the pitches width. The result could really have gone either way, both sides had extended periods in the match where they dominated, created chances in the end it was Doncaster who edged it.
The sides joining Doncaster in the quarter finals are as follows with all the 1st Round ties completed. Holders Arsenal Ladies are through after beating Reading FC Women 3-1. The same scoreline for last season's beaten finalists Notts County Ladies 3-1 away to Yeovil Town Ladies. The final will be played at Manchester City Women's Academy Stadium this year and they were in ruthless form away to Aston Villa Ladies winning 8-0.
Liverpool Ladies came out on top in the Merseyside derby beating Everton Ladies 1-0. Whilst Birmingham City Ladies beat Oxford United Women 2-0. At least one FAWSL 2 side was guaranteed a quarter final place with Sheffield FC Ladies hosting Bristol City Women on Saturday, it's Sheffield going through winning the game 2-0. However they aren't the only FAWSL 2 side through London Bees join them as they cause one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Continental Tyres Cup beating Chelsea Ladies the Champions on penalties having held them to a 3-3 draw after extra time, Chelsea down to 10 players after Gilly Flaherty was sent off.
Will be an interesting draw for the quarter finals of the Continental Tyres Cup. Enjoyed the game and maybe.. just maybe summer has arrived.
*UPDATE* The draw for the quarter finals of the Continental Tyres Cup was made this Monday morning as is as listed below: -
*UPDATE* The draw for the quarter finals of the Continental Tyres Cup was made this Monday morning as is as listed below: -
Arsenal Ladies v Notts County Ladies
Manchester City Women v Doncaster Rovers Belles
Birmingham City Ladies v Liverpool Ladies
Sheffield FC Ladies v London Bees
Ties to be played 6th/7th August
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