17th April Cup Finals Round-up.

In yesterday's cup finals at Dronfield Town's Gosforth Fields, the Belles were competing in the finals for the Under 15's, Under 16's and Under 18's age groups. The Under 15's playing against Sheffield United Community Ladies, a side who haven't lost a competitive match for some 4 seasons, were always going to be up against it. The Belles took an early lead thanks to Charlotte Cork but unfortunately lost the match 2-1, with goalkeeper Caitlin Dooley having to be withdrawn near the end of the match due to injury. Despite losing, it was generally acknowledged that the belles had played the better football for much of the match and although naturally disappointed, the team should take comfort from the display which sets them up nicely to try and go one better next season and depose the Sheffield side. The Under 16's started strongly against a Barnsley side which has improved dramatically in recent months. Barnsley never really seemed to work out how to handle the pacey Belles forwards, whilst at the other end Barnsley struggled at times to stay onside. The end result was a deserved 3-0 victor, the first goal coming from the penalty spot (Olivia Cawdron) and (2) smartly finished by (Kirstie Nicholls). This marks a new high for the 16's as they are now cup and league double winners in an unbeaten season. The only downside of the match were a couple of bookings sustained needlessly and cheaply. The Under 18's lost 3-2 to Sheffield Wednesday in a match once again where the footballing side lost out, having led 2-1 at the break. The second half was a disjointed affair as players went down needing treatment at regular intervals. Congrats to Wednesday for winning the cup and hopefully the Under 18's spoils will be shared this season when the Belles finally get to finish their league fixtures. In the Under 14's final Handsworth Juniors won and in the Under 13's highly fancied Barnsley were denied a league and cup double when they were pegged back from a 3-1 lead before being beaten 4-3 by a late Crosspool goal. Thanks to the SHGCL committee and all at Dronfield for putting on a great spectacle and thankyou to all of those match officials who turned out and delivered great performances too.

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