Belles prepares for tough cup clash
JOHN Buckley wants his Belles side to batten down the hatches when they face Everton in a tough Premier League Cup quarter-final clash on Sunday, writes Paul Goodwin.
Doncaster boss Buckley rates the unbeaten Toffees as the second best team in the country - behind only an all-conquering Arsenal who won the treble last season.
The Gunners shot eight past the Belles when they met in the league earlier this month.
And Buckley is expecting another tough examination when his team travels to Merseyside this weekend.
But he says his side is capable of getting a result and going one step further to emulating last season's memorable cup exploits.
Buckley, who saw his team lose 5-0 to Arsenal in last May's showpiece final, said: "It's a massive game for us on Sunday.
"Everton are a top drawer team and it'll be between them and Arsenal for the league title.
"We go into the tie as huge underdogs because they are beating everybody in sight at the moment.
"But if we play as well as we can then we can match them.
"We've got to be at our best though, and we'll have to batten down the hatches."
The Belles climbed to seventh in the Women's Premier League after a goalless draw at high-flying Watford on Sunday.
Doncaster had the better of a poor first half against the Hornets and created several opportunities to take the lead.
But Watford held firm and went on to enjoy more of the game in the second period - with the Belles clinging on for a draw in the closing stages.
Buckley said: "I thought we kept the ball well but looked a bit powder puff in attack.
"We got in behind a number of times but just couldn't finish.
"It was one of those days really.
"We'll have to do better in front of goal on Sunday if we want to get through to the semi-final."
The Belles' recent hectic schedule continued last night when they welcomed Nottingham Forest to the Keepmoat Athletics Arena.
Midfielder Rachel Williams was back in the squad after returning from international duty with England.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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