Doncaster Rovers Belles ended the first half of the WSL2 season in fine style by beating promotion rivals Yeovil Town 3-0 in Sherborne as goals from Leandra Little, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and a Sue Smith penalty sent the Belles on the long journey home with three points in the bag.
After scoring two headers in the same fixture last season, Leandra Little did it again, opening the scoring on the half hour before Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Sue Smith rounded off a ruthless Belles display.
In the reverse fixture at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier in the season, Belles boss Glen Harris admitted his side stole one against Yeovil – a team he described as the best to visit Doncaster so far – but this game saw the Belles dominate throughout.
His side nullified the dangerous Yeovil attacking threat and were clinical in finishing off their opponents.
Source: 4tlos
The Belles started brightly with Smith testing Haynes in the home goal from range before Reanne Thomas saw an effort deflected wide.
The home side did have a chance to take the lead shortly after, when Ellie Curson broke the offside trap, but her cross couldn’t be put home by Paige Stewart or Bleazard thanks to a superb stop from Nicola Hobbs.
However, it was the Belles’ early dominance that would pay dividends. A free kick looked to have been headed behind for a corner but relentless work from Sweetman-Kirk kept the ball alive, before she crossed to Little who rose highest to nod home.
It should have been two just before the break when Sweetman-Kirk found herself one-on-one with Haynes, but she poked wide when she looked certain to score.
The home side looked to come out fighting in the second half, as they pushed forward but any threat of a leveler was quashed when Rhiannon Roberts’ brilliant free kick found its way to the back post where Sweetman-Kirk gratefully smashed home for 2-0.
With 20 minutes to go, the “perfect away performance” as described by Glen Harris was capped off when Smith chased down a lost cause to get to the ball before Haynes, who fouled the former England international and gave the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Smith gathered herself and smashed the ball into the top corner leaving Haynes no chance.
Substitute Nicole Dale almost made it four with her first touch but her header was expertly kept out by Haynes after Smith’s cross from the left.
The win leaves the Belles second going into the break, only behind Reading on goal difference with Yeovil still in third place.
Yeovil Town Ladies: Charlotte Haynes; Nicola Cousins, Ellie Isaac, Natalie Haigh; Helen Bleazard, Stephanie Williams, Paige Stewart (Alys Hinchcliffe 56), Ellie Curson, Corinne Yorston; Natasha Knapman (Stacey Pearson 72), Annie Heatherson;
Subs not used: Nicky Lipscombe, Shauna Cossens, Jordan Guard, Ebony Dover
Bookings: Stephanie Williams (54)
Red Cards:
Doncaster Rovers Belles: Nicola Hobbs; Molly Johnson (Sophie Stamp 77), Rhiannon Roberts, Leandra Little, Hope Knight (Nicole Dale 85); Reanne Thomas (Lauren Cresswell 74), Sophie Barker, Kasia Lipka, Emily Roberts; Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Sue Smith;
Doncaster Rovers Belles Goal scorers: Little 31’, Sweetman-Kirk 55’, Smith 67’
Subs not used:
Bookings:
Red Cards:
Referee: Joanna Stimpson
Attendance: 509
Report courtesy of Doncaster Rovers Belles
