Doncaster Rovers Belles set for Retford debut with local derby cup clash

That is followed three days later by their first FA Women’s National League Division One North fixture at the venue when they entertain Leeds United (kick-off 7.45pm).

The games will give some Belles supporters their first opportunity to watch Belles under newly appointed manager Dylan Wimbury, whose one game in charge ended in a very welcome 2-0 win at York City at the start of the month.

The four tier four FAWNL teams have so far been exempt and Belles versus Barnsley Women (an independent club based at the Steel City Stadium in Sheffield) is the only all FAWNL clash.

Belles won 1-0 when the teams met in a League Cup group fixture at Millmoor in September, but Barnsley go into the tie in confident mood having completed the double over Lincoln United last Sunday, beating the Division One Midlands bottom team 7-0.

Belles Development (as they are listed in the competition) have a home tie against Handsworth and they will be hoping to beat tier six opposition for the second round running, having edged out Handsworth’s fellow North East Regional League Southern Division outfit Rossington Main last month.

Vital league points are then at stake on Wednesday when Belles host Leeds, who won 4-0 when the teams met in the autumn. Leeds are second and among the favourites for the title.

Last Sunday’s away fixture against Blackburn Rovers fell victim to a waterlogged pitch. Bottom club Blackburn have just one point from 14 games and it is very much a case of when rather than if they will be relegated. The new date for the game against Belles is likely to be either April 5 or 19.

Just two out of the division’s six scheduled games beat the weather, with none of the teams in the bottom four in action. So it remains Belles on 9 points, York City 10 points and Chester-Le-Street Town 12 points with one of the trio the most likely to join Blackburn in dropping out of the FAWNL in April.

Belles’ home fixture against Cheadle Town Stingers, Wimbury’s former club, has been re-scheduled for Sunday, 1 March.

Rossington Main recorded a 5-1 home victory over Lower Hopton in the North East Regional League Southern Division, their biggest win in tier six, just edging out their 5-2 success at Millmoor Juniors in November. Lauren Breen netted twice with Sarah Black, Alice Linsell and Amy O’Brien also on target.

Meanwhile Rossington’s Reserves were unable to halt the Oakwell based Barnsley FC Ladies march towards the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women’s County League Division Two title as the table toppers won 6-0.