Doncaster Rovers Belles progressed to the 2nd Round of the East Midlands Women's Regional Football League Cup after a convincing 4-0 victory over Handsworth Ladies FC at Club Doncaster Sports Village 3G.
Ellie Ball opened the scoring with a quality passing move in the first half. Charlotte Gowlett added two late goals, and Ruby Jex-Oldfield sealed the win with a strike in second-half added time.
First Half
Handsworth posed an early threat. In the sixth minute, captain Demi West's long throw into the penalty area found striker Abby Watkinson at the near post, but Belles keeper Scarlette Slater-Rowley caught comfortably.
Belles responded with efforts from Charlotte Gowlett and Jess Frick, though both went wide or over the bar. Handsworth continued to threaten through Watkinson's pace and Harriet Lloyd's runs down the right, but Belles' defence held firm.
Manager Lee Mitchell made tactical changes on the thirty-five minute mark, bringing Tiana Hicks into attack and Taylah Charlton into midfield.
Minutes later, the deadlock broke. Slater-Rowley passed to Katie Yates, who chipped forward to Bradie Wild. Wild found Charlton, who switched the ball left to Ruby Jex-Oldfield. Jex-Oldfield spotted Ball loose in the penalty area on the right and floated a cross for Ball to volley past keeper Hollie Jary-Mappin into the net.
Belles remained under pressure but held their one-goal advantage at half time.
Second Half
Belles started the stronger side after the interval. Wild put Hicks through on goal on two occasions in quick succession, forcing Jary-Mappin to make smart saves both times before the text ended.