Doncaster Belles survive Brodsworth Main scare in thrilling 3-2 cup win

Doncaster Rovers Belles booked their place in this season’s Women’s FA Cup third round qualifying, but not without surviving a huge scare at neighbours Brodsworth Main before progressing 3-2.

On paper, tier five Belles started as firm favourites against their hosts who are two tiers lower. When Natalie Banaszczyk fired Belles ahead with a fine strike from the edge of the area at a corner on 13 minutes, things looked favourable for Belles who had the backing of a stiff breeze, but they were then unable to unduly test Keira Woodward in the home goal and Brodsworth enjoyed their first real spell of pressure in the closing stages of the first half which was rewarded with the equaliser by Laura Ferguson a few minutes before the interval.

Five minutes after the interval and Brodsworth were in dreamland. Lori Hudson scored from around 40 yards and one of the competition’s great upsets was a very realistic possibility. Both Hudson and Ferguson were not far off doubling home advantage and had either made it 3-1, then that would probably have been enough to send six times winners Belles to the exit door.

Belles’ recent record in the competition is a far cry from their illustrious years, but they showed the steel necessary to avert an embarrassment when two of their summer signings from Brunsmeer Athletic combined to turn the score around.

First Natalie Shaw was left unmarked after good work by Bradie Wild to level with a low shot inside Woodward’s left post on 64 minutes and Wild broke clear 8 minutes later to chip Woodward for what proved the winner.

Belles then held firm to see out proceedings with Scarlette Slater-Rowley a safe pair of hands to end Brodsworth’s winning run which stretched back to January. Brodsworth are a good bet to win promotion next spring, but it will be October before they can get this season’s League fixtures underway. They will be hoping a good percentage of a very healthy crowd, just six short of the 400 mark, can be tempted to watch the “bread and butter” League games. They did more than enough against Belles to persuade people to return.

Meanwhile, Belles resume their East Midlands Women’s Regional League Premier Division fixtures with a key home clash against Loughborough Foxes Vixens this Sunday.

Rossington Main advanced in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Women’s Cup, winning their first round tie at Brampton United 13-0. Ella Mortimer, who has recently rejoined Rossington from Rotherham United, was the day’s top scorer with four. Both Jenna Bramley and Lily Robinson netted twice with Aleks Korab-Karpinska, Holly Lewis, Alice Linsell, Amy O’Brien and Scarlett Oldridge also on the mark.

Rowan Newman netted for Rossington’s Reserves in their 4-1 home defeat to Millmoor Juniors. Both Doncaster Rovers Belles and their Development side progressed via walkovers. Brodsworth Main’s home tie against Dinnington Town is now re-scheduled for this coming Sunday.

The Cup ties greatly reduced scheduled League fixtures involving local teams to just two, both in Sheffield & Hallamshire Women’s County League Division Four.

Brodsworth Main Development proved far too strong for visitors West End Terriers, winning 8-1 with Sophie Smith bagging a hat trick, assisted by goals by Jill Edmonds 2, Brooke McGonnell 2 and Amy Lyons. Ffion Brown was the scorer for Scawthorpe Scorpions in their 2-1 defeat at Courage FC.