Doncaster Belles secured passage to the third round qualifying of the Women's FA Cup after a 3-2 comeback victory against local club Brodsworth Main FC Ladies at The Welfare Ground in north Doncaster.
Goals from Natalie Banaszczyk, Nat Shaw and Bradie Wild proved decisive for Belles against a spirited Brodsworth side. An impressive 394 spectators watched the match on a sunny but blustery afternoon.
Brodsworth's Cup Run
Brodsworth Main FC Ladies, who compete at Tier 7 level in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women & Girls League, had earned the home tie by beating Thackley AFC and FC Farsley in previous rounds. Playing at Tier 5, Belles proved the stronger side despite Brodsworth's impressive cup pedigree so far this season.
Team Changes
Belles manager Lee Mitchell made substantial changes to the starting line-up from the previous weekend's convincing win at Grimsby. Nat Shaw, Bradie Wild, Sheldon Ashton and Vic Chincharo dropped to the bench, while debuts were handed to Tiana Hicks, Rebecca Ritchie and Libby Hallam. Natalie Banaszczyk made her first appearance of the season, with Charlotte Gowlett starting in place of Lucie Tinker.
How the Match Unfolded
Brodsworth, featuring three former Belles players, pressed early with crosses to test young Belles goalkeeper Scarlette Slater-Rowley. Belles took the lead on 14 minutes when Banaszczyk struck a superb side-footed shot from the edge of the box after receiving the ball from Izzy Powell following a short corner routine orchestrated by captain Ruby Jex-Oldfield.
The game entered a period of stalemate after that opening goal, with Belles enjoying the majority of possession but unable to create clear opportunities. Brodsworth's defence, led by defenders Katie Yates and Imogen Burnley, dealt comfortably with attacking moves.
