Brodsworth and Rossington Main look ahead to first round qualifying of the Women’s FA Cup
Women’s football round-up, by Julian Barker
It is a big weekend for local women’s teams. Brodsworth Main visit FC Farsley and Rossington Main travel to Silsden in the first round qualifying of the Women’s FA Cup.
On paper, Brodsworth face the more difficult task as they again face tier six opponents, but they will go into the tie in confident mood having beaten Thackley AFC in the preliminary round.
Rossington, who are tier six and number both Farsley and Thackley among their opponents in the North East Regional League Southern Division this season, will start as favourites at tier seven Silsden.
Progress to the second round qualifying is worth a very welcome sum from the prize fund, £1,800 for winning on Sunday and a further guarantee of £1,000 for participation in the second round qualifying where the successful teams receive £3,500.
Doncaster Rovers Belles, who are now tier five, enter the competition at the second round qualifying stage where the draw is split into regionalised groups and should both Brodsworth and Rossington progress they would relish a home tie against their more illustrious neighbours.
Rossington drew 2-2 with Belles in a pre-season friendly last Thursday. Natalie Shaw put Belles ahead after just 30 seconds. Former Belles striker Lauren Breen levelled from a penalty, but Jess Frick restored the advantage before the interval. Breen again levelled in the second half, direct from a free kick just outside the penalty area.
Belles begin their East Midlands Regional League Premier Division season at home to SJR Worksop this Sunday. Belles had a friendly against Hull City Devs on Sunday when they used several players who did not feature against Rossington, including some who have yet to appear on the list of registered players on Full Time.
However, the Belles squad showing on Full Time has doubled to 20 since a week ago and that number should increase to the mid-20s assuming the former Brunsmeer Athletic players are all duly registered. Lee Mitchell, vastly experienced in women’s football, has been charged with the task of reviving Belles’ fortunes as they bid for an instant return to the FA Women’s National League. Meanwhile, Belles have been drawn at home to Handsworth in the East Midlands League Cup.
This Sunday also sees the start of fixtures in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women’s County League which has expanded to five divisions, with Doncaster representation in each division with opening day fixtures in parentheses.
Division One - Brodsworth Main
Division Two - Rossington Main Reserves (v Sheffield Wednesday Reserves, away)
Division Three - Edenthorpe (v Sheffield Wednesday Development, away)
Division Four - Brodsworth Main Development (v New Lodge, away), Scawthorpe Scorpions (v Courage FC, home)
Division Five - Edenthorpe Reserves (v Aston Swallownest, home), Rossington FC (v Bramley Stingers, away)