Doncaster Rovers Belles suffer last eight heartache in County Cup
Doncaster Rovers Belles bowed out of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Women’s Senior Cup on penalties at the quarter-final stage for the second season running.
The tie against Barnsley Women failed to yield a goal inside 90 minutes, both teams having their chances, and with extra time now dispensed with, it was straight to penalties.
Both sides twice failed to score in the initial set of five each. Barnsley, who went first, failed to score with their first spot kick and were then 2-1 down before Belles took their third penalty. Barnsley then put the pressure on Belles by converting all their sudden death spot kicks to progress 7-6 winners.
Belles’ attention now switches to their bid to stay in the FA Women’s National League Division One North where they currently occupy the higher of the two relegation places, but with safety very much possible provided they get their own results right. Belles trail York City by just one point with Chester-Le-Street Town two points better off than York.
This Sunday Belles travel to Chorley who are currently three places and eight points ahead of Belles, but from a game more. But, before then the division has a full set of fixtures scheduled for midweek with Belles due to face title chasing Leeds United at Retford FC on Wednesday evening (February 18).
Dylan Wimbury would have been wanting the defensive solidity of his first two games in charge to continue against Leeds who beat Belles 4-0 in this season’s earlier encounter.
Making her debut for Belles (against Barnsley) was Laura McGlone who began the season at Bridgwater Town and has several seasons experience at teams in the south west.
Belles’ fixture at Blackburn Rovers, which was postponed on February 8, has been re-scheduled for March 15.
Belles Development also exited the Women’s Senior Cup, Poppy Hawkins and Georgia Strickland the scorers in a 4-2 home defeat to Handsworth.
Handsworth are chasing promotion from the North East Regional League Southern Division where they are currently second and due to host Rossington Main this Sunday. That is the first of five away games in succession for Rossington whose home game against York City Development was a weather postponement at the weekend.
Rossington Reserves were due to host Brodsworth Welfare, but after agreeing to reverse venue the Sheffield & Hallamshire County League Division Two fixture was played with Brodsworth taking maximum points thanks to a 3-0 victory, Tara Fisher and Sophie Smith on target in the second half after an own goal separated the teams at the interval.