31 May 2024
| THE HEARTBEAT OF WOMEN'S SPORT
Home   >   News   >   FA WSL: Birmingham Ladies 3 Doncaster Rovers Belles 0

FA WSL: Birmingham Ladies 3 Doncaster Rovers Belles 0

July 24, 2024

A superb brace from Rachel Williams helped Birmingham to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers Belles.

Rachel-Williams-penaltyThe Blues made the best possible start when Dunia Susi headed home after eight minutes, and the lead was doubled when Williams (pictured) slotted home from the spot to take her tally to eight goals for the season.

The Belles refused to lie down in the second period, causing the Birmingham defence all sorts of problems, but Williams put the result beyond doubt five minutes before time.

Birmingham stated their attacking intentions early on, and should have been awarded a penalty. Precious Hamilton appeared to have pushed Williams in the back, but the referee waived away strong claims from the Blues players.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Related stories:

FA WSL: Bristol Academy 2 Lincoln Ladies 3

FIFA World Cup: Penalty heart-ache for Lionesses

FIFA World Cup: England secure spot in last eight

……………………………………………………………………………………………


……………………………………………………………………………………………

This injustice seemed to inspire David Parker’s side though, as they took the lead moments later. Susi pressurised Kylla Sjoman in to a mistake, and after Belles goalkeeper Marie Earps saved her first effort, the winger made no mistake at the second time of asking.

The hosts pushed hard for a second, and while enjoying large spells of possession, Doncaster looked dangerous on the break.

John Buckley’s side almost levelled the game just before the half hour make when their captain Kate Holtham tried her luck from distance. But Holtham’s shot drifted just inches over.

Doncaster continued to cause the Blues problems, but Parker’s side moved up a gear with impressive ease heading into the break.

England international Karen Carney drew Earps into a smart save, then shortly afterwards she won a penalty after being brought down by Earps. Izzy Christiansen played a fine through ball to Carney, and with the 23-year-old looking set to take the ball round Earps, the ‘keeper took drastic action.

Carney’s strike partner Williams put the disappointment of missing out on World Cup selection behind her by doubling the Blues advantage from the penalty spot.

And if it wasn’t for some heroic defending from the away side, Kerys Harrop would have made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time.

A successful first half was slightly marred from Birmingham’s perspective, as Izzy Christiansen came off with an ankle injury.

Chances were at a premium after the interval, but the Belles looked as though they had a goal in them.

Three minutes into the second period, Vicky Exley almost rounded off a fine Doncaster move, and she was unlucky to see her shot travel inches past Marie Hourihan’s right post.

Despite the game opening up, things didn’t come together for either side in the final third, and Parker was forced to make a double substitution. Carney and Jade Moore both picked up injuries, so Sally Stanton and Stef Curtis deputised.

Curtis made an instant impact by almost sealing the game, but the Republic of Ireland striker saw her swerving effort saved by an inspired Earps.

This prompted the visitors to throw the kitchen sink at the Blues in the last fifteen minutes, and a fierce Exley free kick almost brought her side back into the game, but Hourihan saved brilliantly to her left.

And with 85 minutes on the clock, the impressive Williams sent the supporters’ home happy, with a diving header from Jo Potter’s free kick.

The Blues now sit seven points clear at the top of the WSL table after today’s victory, leaving second placed Arsenal under pressure to win their two games in hand.

Blues: Hourihan, Weston, Harrop, Bassett (c), Susi, Williams, Carney (72 Curtis), Potter, Moore (52 Stanton) Christiansen (45 Ballard), Westwood.

Unused subs: Wright, Hall.

Doncaster Rovers Belles: Earps, Jones, Cox, Holtham (c) (62 Prosser), Exley (83 Ralph Scott), O’Gorman, Hamilton, Karlsson, Lipka, Sjoman, England (70 Sigsworth).

Unused subs: Alderson, Williams.

Bookings: Potter (77), Ballard (78)

Player of the match: Rachel Williams

Attendance: 465

Paddy Day, FA WSL
Sportsister, The Women’s Sports Magazine

Image credit: The FA via Getty Images

Select a sport

Find out how to get started, training plans and expert advice.