Doncaster Rovers Belles scored two fantastic free kicks in the final two minutes to fight back from two goals down and snatch a draw against Birmingham in the final game of the Women’s Super League Season.
Kylla Sjoman scored the first, with the help of a deflection, after 88 minutes and Becky Hall sent the supporters into raptures with a superb equaliser in the final minute.
The visitors from Birmingham, who still had hopes of winning the title, had gone two up through Emily Westwood and a Shelly Cox own goal but the Belles dramatic fight back ensured the two teams would meet again in the first round of the Continental Cup next week.
The Belles made two changes to the side that lost at home to Lincoln for the match against the second placed Blues. Jessica Sigsworth and Kylla Sjoman returned to the side in place of Precious Hamilton and Bethany England.
The high flying visitors flew out of the blocks and almost took the lead inside the first minute of the game, through Emily Westwood. Tricky wing play from Dunia Susi outfoxed Shelly Cox on the right but Westwood could only fire over the bar when well placed.
However, the Belles created their first chance of the game only a minute later, when veteran midfielder Vicky Exley stung the palms of Marie Hourihan from a 25 yard free kick.
As the frantic start to the match continued, the Woman’s Super League’s top scorer Rachel Williams should have given Birmingham the lead, but the former Belles striker showed too much of the ball to Mary Earps and the ‘keeper smothered the danger.
However Birmingham were not to be denied and on eight minutes they opened the scoring through Westwood. The Belles were caught napping from their own corner, leaving Karen Carney free to pick out the unmarked striker in the box, for a simple finish into the roof of the net.
Belles young striker Jess Sigsworth earned herself a decent chance to level the scores after 28 minutes as she showed great determination to rob Birmingham skipper Laura Bassett of the ball inside the box, but couldn’t adjust her body enough to direct her shot on target.
On 35 minutes Williams again had a golden chance to get her name on the score sheet. A lack of communication in the Belles defence put Williams through on goal but more brave goalkeeping from Earps thwarted the striker.
Four minutes before the break and the visitors almost doubled their lead in fortuitous fashion, as midfielder Jo Potter’s ring wing corner struck the Belles crossbar and bounced to safety.
Half time Belles 0 Birmingham 1
Birmingham didn’t need long in the second half to double their advantage and make the Belles task even more difficult. With 50 minutes on the clock Potter’s dangerous free kick into the box, came off the unfortunate Cox and hit the back of the net.
The introduction of Precious Hamilton just before the hour mark injected some real urgency into the Belles attack and her teasing cross was almost turned home by the on rushing Aine O’Gorman.
With 67 minutes on the clock, Birmingham were inches away from extending their league but Jade Moore saw her fierce drive canon back off the bar, from Williams lay off.
A minute later and the home side created two chances in quick succession, firstly Republic of Ireland international O’Gorman, curled wide from a tight angle and then the lively Hamilton saw her thumping volley blocked by blues defender Bassett.
The Belles continued to work hard going forward and finally got their reward with two fantastic goals in the final two minutes of the game.
Firstly, Abbie Prosser was brought down on the edge of the area and Kylla Sjoman stepped up to fire the free kick past substitute ‘keeper Laura Watts with the help of a deflection.
And then when the impressive Sigsworth was brought by Jess Wright, Belles substitute Becky Hall stepped up to curl in a dramatic equaliser.
Full Time: Belles 2 Birmingham Ladies 2
Attendance: 254
Saturday 19 May 2012 18:00
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