Doncaster Rovers Belles

19 July 2011

Belles Buzzing For Birmingham

Doncaster Rovers Belles Assistant Manager Paul Green insists the side are raring to get back into action when they visit early pace setters Birmingham on Saturday.

The Women’s Super League has had a half season break because of the World Cup and after a busy period of activity Green is ready for the action to begin.

He said: “Everyone is excited and raring to go and what a fantastic way to kick off the second half of the season than facing the League leaders.

“We know what a tough game it will because they are a top team with some good players, but we are looking forward to getting back onto the field and kicking on from the positive signs we showed in the first half of the campaign.”

The Belles currently sit 6th in the Super League table but know a positive result against Birmingham could lift them up to 4th in what is a tightly contested table, and Green is keen to point out the quality of performances from the first part of the inaugural Super League season.

He said: “We were pleased with the majority of performances from the opening seven games and just felt we lacked a little bit of cutting edge up front and sometimes were a little sloppy at the back.

“However there was only really one game where we can say we just didn’t play well at all, so we have something to build on.”

The World Cup may have caused disputation to the majority of Super League teams but Green admits although the break was frustrating for the Belles as well, there were positives to take from it.

He said: “Not having any players involved at the World Cup meant we were able to have the whole squad together for a longer period of time than maybe most other sides. This has allowed us to work on a lot of things and prepare for the trip to Birmingham.”

The mid-season break also spelled the opening of the transfer window and the Belles were busy in the transfer market as manager John Buckley looked to improve his squad.

Out-going players include Lyndsey Cunningham, who is pregnant, and Amy Turner and Sarah Owen who have been released in order to find first team football elsewhere.

Attempting to address the goal scoring problems that blighted the first half of the season, the Belles have registered three new strikers for the second half of the season. Bethany England has been promoted from the reserves and England Under 19 international Jessica Sigsworth has been brought in from Sheffield United Centre Of Excellence.

The club has also added former England international Katie Anderton to its ranks after she joined the club from Premier Division side Blackburn Rovers where she was a prolific goalscorer over the last six years.

Rovers Belles have also bolstered their back line with the acquisition of vastly experienced Scottish international defender Rhonda Jones.

The centre half has moved to the Keepmoat from Scottish Premier Division side Hibernian and captained them to Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup success.

Anderton picked up a knock in the Belles friendly win against Glasgow and may be a doubt for the weekend but the other new signings will be hoping to make their debuts in Saturday’s game.

One player who will not be involved is striker Becky Hall, who is ruled out through injury.

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