Doncaster Rovers Belles 2 v 0 Blackburn Rovers
Date: Sunday 26th October 2008
Kick Off: 2pm
Venue: Keepmoat Stadium, Pitch 2
Comp: FA Women's Premier League
Doncaster Rovers Belles beat Blackburn Rovers to make it four wins from five home games this season. The first game after the end of British Summer Time was played in sunny, but very windy conditions with Belles having first back of the wind.
Belles went ahead just past the quarter hour mark when a deep corner by Chelsea Weston was met powerfully at the far angle of the six yard box by Precious Hamilton whose header flew over the despairing arm of visiting keeper Krystal Parker, thudded against the bar before going in.
A lunging header by Rachel Williams to meet a centre from Emily Heckler flew wide as Belles enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half, but a second goal proved elusive proving that the having the backing of a strong wind is not necessarily always an advantage.
Indeed, it was arguably the case that the Belles produced a better display after the interval, adding to their tally midway through the second half when a long clearance from keeper Nikki Hobbs found Heckler who finished off with a rasping drive from the right of the box.
As with the Forest game in midweek there were some robust challenges, but with Blackburn having played on the Thursday and won 2-0 at Leeds Carnegie, it seemed the extra day between matches favoured Belles, while their opponents were missing four players suspended as a result of being dismissed in an eventful League Cup tie against Portsmouth earlier in the month.
With Belles targeting a top four place, this result kept them on course as they moved six points clear of Blackburn who would have drawn level on points if they had managed to record a fifth away win of the season.
On results so far only Everton can realistically finish above Arsenal and they would need four points from their two meetings, but with Arsenal having won 3-1 when the sides met in the League Cup, it would be reasonable to assume Arsenal yet again finishing as champions with Everton, who were 4-0 winners over Chelsea a week ago, again runners up,
Chelsea, with their contingent of England players should be third. Arsenal currently top the table with 24 points from 8 games with Everton also enjoying a 100% record, albeit from a game fewer. Chelsea lie in between on 22 points, but from 9 games.
Belles are 4th with 19 points from 10 games. Watford, this coming Sunday's visitors in the League Cup quarter-finals, are fifth after winning 2-1 at Nottingham Forest. That was their 11th fixture (out of 22) and they have 15 points. Birmingham City and Blackburn are both on 13 points from 9 and 10 games respectively.
Doncaster Rovers Belles
Nicola Hobbs, Chelsea Weston, Vanessa Leat, Rachel Williams, Claire Utley, Amy Turner, Emily Heckler, Vicky Exley, Liz Hansen, Emma Johnson, Presh Hamilton.
Subs Used: Natasha Hughes on for Johnson 75 mins, Vikki Stevens on for Hamilton 75 mins, Tanya Rich on for Heckler 80 mins.
Sub Not Used: Jayne Eadie
