30th January - Juniors Quarter-Final Cup Round-up

Quite an achievement to have all 7 of our teams still in the cup at the Quarter Final stage... quite and achievement for them all still to be in the cup on the morning after, although the Under 11's and the Under 18's had their matches postponed and must wait to play their cup tie this coming weekend... it's a distant dream but humour me whilst I paint an image of half of Doncaster decamping to Sheffield for the Cup Finals in April with a Belles team at all 7 levels....

Anyway, back to reality... Behind the scenes the committee and especially the Chairman worked tirelessly on Thursday and Friday to find a CRB qualified coach to take the Under 11's after a complaint to County FA that the team had no CRB holder in charge of them as manager Darren Walker was absent this weekend.  The team was always appropriately covered but a lot of hoops had to be jumped through to satisfy County FA, only for the frost to render all that effort unnecessary.  Darren returns in time to see the match replayed this weekend but thank you for all the hard work and thanks to those volunteers who stepped in to offer their services... showing just how fondly we're thought of as a club.

The Under 10's played at Balby Carr on the 3G pitch and duly despatched Wickersley Youth Reds 7-0 with a display of control and skill in equal measure, which bodes well for the future of our youth set-up in the hands of manager Tony.  The Belles now wait to see who they'll meet in the semi-finals as league leaders Millmoor and 2nd placed Dronfield Town both eased through - with one semi-final place still up for grabs.

The Under 11's play this weekend (hopefully) to see whether they can book a place in the semi's to join Crosspool (who beat Throstles 4-1) and league leaders Middlewood who scraped through 2-1 against Division 'B' leaders Steel City Wanderers in what must have been a tight match.

The Under 12's beat Worksop Girls (away) 7-2 in a great display.  Lauren Breen got the opening 2 goals before Jamie Allan got the 3rd before half-time.  In the 2nd half, Worksop got a goal back before Charlotte Finch restored the 3 goal advantage; Lauren Breen then got her hat-trick before Worksop got their 2nd goal. The finishing touches were added by Beth Leeman getting the 6th and Charlotte Finch getting her 2nd of the game.  The Belles join rivals Middlewood Rovers (who progress by beating bottom of Division 1 club Millmoor 10-1) Grimethorpe Belles (who beat Steel City 4-1 in an all Division 'A' tie) and Hoyland Common Falcons who beat Sprotborough and Cusworth Crusaders 4-2 in another all Division 'A' tie.  Good luck to Charlotte in the year 7/8 Yorkshire 6-a-side finals at Middlesborough on Wednesday playing for Ridgewood School but representing Doncaster Rovers.

The Under 13's playing their first match in 2 months progressed through to the semi-finals by beating Chesterfield's Brampton Rovers 5-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Jess Lacey and goals from Holly Housely and Grace Sanderson - all the Belles goals coming from midfielders curiously as Jess now draws level with Molly Ecott on 11 goals for the season, which isn't bad from only 12 games.  The Belles must also wait to see who their possible semi-final opposition is as only Handsworth Juniors managed to get through to the semi's by beating Steel City 5-2.  Coincidentally, the Belles host Handsworth in the league next week. Most interesting tie of the round will be played this weekend when Division 1 leaders Barnsley play Division 2 leaders Lepton Highlanders, after it was postponed on Saturday.  Good luck to goalkeeper Shona Wright and striker Amber Huddart, who are both also due to compete in the Yorkshire year 7/8 finals at Middlesborough on Wednesday although Shona remains a doubt due to injury.

The Under 15's got back to winning ways after their 3-3 draw against Barnsley last week.  The cup opposition came in the form of Barugh Girls, who occupy a lower-mid table position in Division 2.  Proving the old addage that you can only beat what's put in front of you, the Belles played some classy football and eased their way through to the semis thanks to a 9-0 victory.  The Belles scorers were Charlotte Cork (4), Emily Weatherstone (2), Rachel Pritchard (2) and a goal from Emma Walker.  Special mention has to go to Jess Davis (JD) who very nearly got her first goal for the club on not one but 2 occasions, only to find the Barugh keeper in inspired form to deny her a moment of individual glory.... it'll come JD, it'll come. The Under 15's are joined in the semi's by Millmoor Juniors who despatched Sheffield United Community Ladies 6-1 (before you reach for the smelling salts it was United's 'B' side that were beaten, the 'A' side compete this weekend).

With the Under 18's being postponed at the last minute, it's perhaps fitting that the last main paragraph goes to the Under 16's, who surely pulled off the result of the round at any age-group with a 5-1. Despite the setback of keeper Jaimie Lea Munnelly being cup-tied, the Belles managed to take the match to Wednesday, Olivia Cawdron got 2 first-half goals, with Sammy Moorhaouse putting the Belles into a 3-0 lead at the break.  The second period resumed in just as good a fashion for the Belles as Olivia added to her tally to get a personal hat-trick before Wednesday got a consolation goal back at 4-1.  The coup-de-grace was administered in spectacular fashion, when Olivia confirmed her red-hot vein of form to score her 4th of the match and ensure herself of a place in Belles juniors folklore alongside current Under 15's player Chloe Dixon who once demolished a Leeds United side with 7 goals in a cup tie at Under 10's.

Good luck to the 11's and the 18's this Saturday, when they bid to join our other 5 sides in the semis.

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