The Belles return to action in the FA Women’s National League Division One North on Sunday - September 24 - with a trip to face Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies at the Norton Sports Complex (2pm KO).
Having picked up a point in their last league outing at Stockport County courtesy of a hard-fought 2-2 draw, Sam Winch and Alexandre Brito Nogueira saw their side cruise through into the Second Round of the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Women’s Senior Cup last weekend with a 4-0 triumph at Rotherham United.
Goals from Phoebe Sneddon, Sophie Brown & debutant Izzy Hasselman added to an own goal which opened the scoring against the Millers.
Striker Hasselman came off the bench midway through the second half in South Yorkshire and found the back of the net late on. 16-year-old goalkeeper Paige Johnson was also handed a senior bow, and preserved her clean sheet with a smart stop in the closing stages to mark the occasion.
Now, the Belles look forward to a trip up to the North East for what is a fourth and final away game on the spin. Having taken four points from their four league games to date this term, other teams around them took advantage of Winch and Nogueira’s side being in County Cup action last week to move above them in the table.
Accordingly, with a game in hand on most, which will come against Chorley, the Belles sit 7th. Sunday’s opponents Norton & Stockton were one of the sides to play a fixture in the league last weekend, but couldn’t capitalise.
After a 2-1 defeat at Hull City, the Ancients remain in the bottom two with Chris Burton’s side still winless this season.
They have though only lost two of their first five with three points picked up courtesy of a trio of draws against Middlesbrough, FC United of Manchester and Chorley. All three of those games ended goalless.
Chloe West and Katie Ormerod are the only two players to have found the back of the net for the North East outfit so far this season, with the latter on target in that narrow defeat to Hull last Sunday.
As far as records are dated back, it appears that this weekend’s fixture at the Norton Sports Complex (TS20 1PE) will provide a first-ever meeting between the two clubs at any level.
If supporters wish to make the trip, entry on the gate will cost £5 for adults and £2 for all concessions.
As we join the rest of the footballing world in mourning the tragic loss of Maddy Cusack, please be advised that a minute’s silence will take place prior to Sunday’s game.
The Belles will also mark the occasion by wearing black armbands, and our thoughts remain with Maddy’s friends, family and teammates at this very difficult time.
Following their trip to Norton, the Belles are in action at the Iqbal Poultry Stadium in Thorne on Sunday, October 1 when third-tier outfit Derby County visit in the First Round of the FAWNL Plate (2pm KO).
A week later, on October 8, they are officially ‘home’ as Winch and Nogueira lead their side out at the Eco-Power Stadium against Middlesbrough, also a 2pm KO.
Tickets are on sale now for the homecoming, and can be bought HERE. Season Tickets also remain on sale with adults priced at just £19.69 as we celebrate and mark the year the Belles were founded.
Junior Belles season tickets, for those aged 14-17, are just £6 with all children aged 13 & under able to get their hands on one absolutely free.
Buy yours today HERE.