Belles Ready For Ding-Dong Clash

By Paul Goodwin, Doncaster Free Press www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk

DONCASTER Rovers Belles have got cup fever as they prepare for two knockout ties in the next four days.

A young Belles side is expected to line up against Huddersfield Town Ladies in the quarter-finals of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup at Balby Carr Sports College tonight (7.05pm).

John Buckley then takes his team to Premier League rivals Birmingham on Sunday in the fifth round of the FA Women's Cup after the Belles brushed aside Havant & Waterlooville at the weekend.

Buckley said: "I'll probably play one or two of the younger ones on Thursday - and I expect us to get through.

"Sunday is a big game for the club because we want to progress in the FA Cup.

"There's the extra incentive of possibly facing Arsenal in the next round and those are the type of games the girls should want to be involved in."

England Under 23 forward Becky Hall looks set to make her Belles debut against the side she left to join Doncaster.

And Buckley says the deal is likely to add an extra edge to the tie.

He said: "One or two things have happened since Becky joined us which have soured the relationship between the two clubs and that could make things interesting on Sunday.

"But more than anything it's a big game for Becky - as well as Precious (Hamilton] and Chelsea (Weston] who we also signed from Birmingham.

"We've beaten them twice already this season but that won't have any bearing this weekend," he added.

"We're in good form at the moment and we'll be doing our best to keep that run going."

Belles had to come from behind to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Charlie Wilson gave Havant, of the South West Combination League, a shock 19th minute lead.

But goals from Vicky Exley and Millie Bright turned the tables before the break.

Second half strikes from Tori Williams, Precious Hamilton, Chelsea Weston and an own goal then set up this weekend's trip to the Midlands.

The winners of Sunday's tie will travel to either FA Cup holders Arsenal or Leeds Carnegie in the quarter-finals.

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