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The Belles bounce back from first league defeat

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Doncaster Rovers Belles got back on track in the league following defeat to Reading by seeing off Durham Women at New Ferens Park on Thursday.

Goals from Emily Roberts and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk saw the Belles back to winning ways against a tough Wildcats side. Glen Harris kept faith in his side, keeping it unchanged from the defeat to Reading and they responded with a much better performance.

The Belles began the game full of confidence, passing the ball with fluidity and looking threatening throughout as they took the game to the hosts.

They didn’t have to wait too long to open the scoring when Emily Roberts continued her fine form with another goal. A delightful piece of play from the Belles saw Kasia Lipka play a sublime pass through the Durham defence to set up Roberts who expertly placed the ball out of the reach of Helen Alderson to take an early lead on 10 minutes.

As a confident Belles dominated possession, Sophie Barker, Sue Smith and Bethany England all hit efforts narrowly wide.

Durham were left frustrated in the first half with the Belles not letting up, however Jordan Atkinson and Courtney Corrie both saw chances thwarted by Nicola Hobbs before the break.

Both sides came into the game after disappointing defeats and were equally determined to put that right with the two sides working hard throughout.

Sweetman-Kirk and England both went close with long range efforts shortly after half time as did Beth Hepple at the other end. Jess Clark came off the bench for the hosts and should have scored with her first touch but she couldn’t connect with a volley as Durham pressed for an equaliser.

But it was the Belles who doubled their lead shortly after. Brilliant work down the right by substitute Molly Johnson found Emily Roberts at the far post and after lobbing Alderson, Sweetman-Kirk slid in to poke the ball home on the line to send the Belles home with the three points.

Former Belles player Jemma Purfield very nearly pulled a goal back as full time approached after she placed the ball under Hobbs but the ball trickled agonisingly wide of the far post.

The win sent the Belles top of WSL2 again, if only for 24 hours, but more importantly for Harris, his side were back on track.

Doncaster Rovers Belles Goal Scorers: Roberts 10′, Sweetman – Kirk 77′

Report courtesy of Doncaster Rovers Belles