Doncaster Rovers Belles' survival hopes hanging by a thread

Belles went into their home fixture against Chester-Le-Street Town on Sunday knowing that victory and also a win in their final fixture of the season would guarantee their safety without having to rely on results elsewhere.

Instead they suffered a 1-0 defeat - Chester-Le-Street scoring the game’s only goal in the opening quarter to secure their own safety. It leaves Belles having to win at Norton & Stockton Ancients this coming Sunday and also hoping that York City, currently three points ahead of them, lose both their remaining games.

It was the fifth successive game Belles have lost by a single goal margin. One minor plus point for Belles in the season’s final week is that they only have to rely on the results being favourable and not the margins as their goal difference is vastly superior to York, albeit City have the precious points in the bag.

York lost 7-0 at Wythenshawe on Sunday and this followed a 6-0 defeat at Cheadle Town Stringers a week earlier. Belles will be hoping City’s defence is equally as porous in their two contrasting games.

York host leaders Huddersfield Town on Wednesday (April 22), for whom a draw would effectively see them crowned champions such is their goal difference superiority over only rivals Cheadle Town Stingers. York then conclude their fixtures at home to Blackburn Rovers who are certain to finish in bottom place.

Belles have to hope that this week’s results are favourable or else they will be relegated to the fifth tier for the first time in their history.

* Laura Ferguson (2), Liana Stenson and Lindsey Tugby-Andrew scored for Brodsworth Welfare in a 4-0 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday Reserves to boost their chances of finishing runners up in Sheffield & Hallamshire County League Division Two, but they will need another home win against Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves, the team currently occupying second spot, on Sunday to keep those hopes alive.