Doncaster Rovers Belles ended the season in style, despite missing out on the WSL2 title on the final day.
With promotion already confirmed, the Belles needed a huge goal swing or Reading to drop points at Aston Villa to claim the title and went about their end of the bargain with a 4-0 win over Millwall, but it wasn’t to be.
Goals came from Bethany England and Hope Knight plus a Sue Smith brace to claim the final three points of the season as the Belles celebrated promotion.
Glen Harris began the game with an all out attack approach with four attackers on the pitch and they went close early on with England and Leandra Little missing good chances to take the lead.
Chances came and went and it appeared that Millwall keeper Sarah Quantrill wasn’t to be beaten as she superbly kept out a number of Belles attempts at goal.
However, the deadlock was broken after 40 minutes when Sophie Barker’s excellent cross from the left was brilliantly headed home by England to give Glen Harris’ side a one goal lead at the break.
The second half began much like the first, Millwall’s Quantrill in inspired form keeping the Belles at bay but there wasn’t much she could do as Smith doubled the lead.
The ball kindly deflected to the feet of Smith who kept her cool to round the keeper and tap home.
And it was three only moments later. Smith again finding herself through on goal and this time smartly chipped the ball over the on-rushing Quantrill.
Second half substitute Hope Knight added a fourth with 10 minutes to play when Smith turned provider, finding the winger at the far post to steer the ball under Quantrill.
It could have been more but for Quantrill’s superb display but the Belles go up to WSL1 full of confidence that they can build on the successes of 2015.
Report courtesy of Doncaster Rovers Belles
