Doncaster Rovers Belles bang the drum ahead of monster relegation clash
Doncaster Rovers Belles are calling on fans to pile through the turnstiles for this weekend's crunch relegation clash.
Belles are in dire straits in the FA Women’s National League Division One North and sit second-bottom with just two matches left to play. Sunday (April 19) sees them host host Chester-le-Street Town - who are currently two points above them, with a game in hand - at Retford FC’s SL2 Rail Stadium in their final home game of the season.
Belles realistically have to win to stand any chance of avoiding an ignominious demotion to the fifth tier of the women's game. To add to the situation, Chester-le-Street play their game in hand on Thursday - meaning they could be five clear of Belles by the time the weekend fixture comes around.
Belles are promoting Sunday's game with the slogan 'Pack the Railway' and are running promotions on free and heavily-discounted tickets as they look for fans to cheer them on for what they say is their “most important fixture in recent years".
A club statement said: "All Junior Belles, Academy and Wildcats players will have free family tickets available for the game, while anybody purchasing tickets for Rovers v Lincoln City in Sky Bet League One or Dons v Salford in the Betfred Championship will also receive free tickets for the key clash. The atmosphere in-stadium is also set to be unmissable, with 250 flags available for junior supporters to collect and wave on the day of the game.
"Whether you’re a junior or lifelong supporter, everybody is encouraged to play their part and Pack the Railway next weekend - because in a game with such high stakes, the difference can be made from anywhere."
Belles lost 2-1 at Wythenshawe on Sunday. The hosts took an early lead, before Maisie Everitt levelled a few minutes into the second half. But Dylan Wimbury's side couldn't hold on as Wythenshawe regained the advantage in the final quarter.
The outlook could have looked much bleaker for Belles as Chester-Le-Street were 3-0 up at the interval of their home game against Stockport County, who rallied to salvage a point from a 3-3 draw.
Kick-off on Sunday is 2pm.