Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-6 Arsenal Ladies

Already-relegated Doncaster Rovers Belles were comprehensively beaten, 6-0, by reigning Womens Super League champions Arsenal Ladies at the Keepmoat Stadium in South Yorkshire.

Perhaps surprisingly, the game started off cagey with the Belles, who had only picked two points from the first seven games of the season, vying for control in midfield with their North London visitors. But then the FA Cup Holders switched gears and the Arsenal express train rolled into town. 

Before the game the Doncaster hierarchy stated: "I'm not prone on exaggeration, but I'll put my money on Doncaster Rovers Belles being champions within ten years.", but when the Gunners grabbed a foothold in the game the ambitious statement began looking like an even taller order than may have been first anticipated. 

Rachel Yankey's corner on 28 minutes was met by the head of Gilly Flaherty, whose bullet header flew into the corner of the goal, beyond Nicola Davies.

It was the lacklustre Belles defensive performance during this five minute period which defined the match; by the time it was over the Belles trailed by three goals and the tie was effectively over as a contest. Arsenal doubled their lead when Lyndsey Cunningham's sloppy pass was intercepted by Jordan Nobbs who cheekily chipped the effort from inside the area into the back of the net. The third was scored when Yankey crossed to Gemma Davison who passed the ball across the penalty area which, via a deflection, found itself Kim Little who struck the shot into the corner of the goal.

Doncaster regrouped for a while after that, holding out to the 67th minute before Arsenal grabbed a forth. Substitute Ellen White seemed to sneak through on goal unnoticed by the host's defense. Perhaps Doncaster defender Rhiannon Roberts may have felt she could have nicked the ball from the attacker's toes, but missed the opportunity as the blonde neared goal thus outpacing the defender. One-on-one the striker kept her composure to stroke the ball past Davies who was left the pick the ball out of the net for a fourth time.

The Doncaster defence was again exposed five minutes later. White's powerful sprint meant the away side were two-on-one with the keeper. Davies narrowed the recent-scorer's angle but she was left to slide the ball across the six-yard box where Danielle Carter slid the ball into the empty net. 5-0.

Three minutes later, on 75 minutes the scoring was complete. Captain Steph Houghton's free-kick was deflected off the wall and flew past the diving Davies. Despite stopping the rout, Doncaster undoubtedly have a difficult job upping spirits and confidence ahead of their fixture with Liverpool on Saturday evening.

Arsenal Ladies are certainly title contenders, the club sit two points behind leaders Liverpool however have a game in hand, and it was the visitors who had the first three half-chances, all squandered by Steph Houghton. Kim Little's corner on twelve minutes was aimed at goal by Houghton's boot however the effort was blocked by the the Doncaster defence. The second Houghton effort was from the edge of the box and flew high and wide. Rachel Yankey then played a perfect ball to Houghton who found herself unmarked on the left-hand side of the penalty area however the attempt was blasted over the bar.

Arsenal looked lively down the right too. Gemma Davison dispossessed Lauren Cresswell before appearing to play a perfect pass to Jordan Nobbs who could only send it straight at the Doncaster stopper. Davison increased in confidence from this move and attempted a solo run two minutes later, reaching the byline she tried a dangerous looking cross across the six-yard box but the Doncaster defence were able to deflect the ball over the crossbar. Arsenal refused to get frustrated and it was less than a minute later that Flaherty knocked in the opener.

 Arsenal had become the dominate force in the match and another attack on the right nearly resulted in another goal. Davison played through Alex Scott, but the first-time effort was sent straight at the keeper. Nobbs made amens for her teammate's chances with a beautiful finish for Arsenal's second soon after, before Little made it three.

They could have found a fourth within the next five minutes, Carter's flick-header found Rachel Yankey who shrugged off Leandra Little's pressure but sent the shot inches wide.

Late in the first-half a goal for the hosts may have turned the tides of the game, and they did have two opportunities. Bethany England played in Sue Smith who cut inside from the right, Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne appeared to slip but Smith's effort couldn't hit the target.

Shortly after Millie Bright was fouled on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, the Doncaster attacker sent the ball over the crossbar from the resulting free-kick.

Doncaster's momentum continued for a short time in the second half. England's left-footed cross was met by Bright but the header was deflected just wide. England showed silky skill to weave a way into a scoring opportunity but wide went the effort. After fifty-three minutes England had another chance, but her half-volley disappeared over the bar after Smith's cross. Bright then had a low effort which the keeper parried low to her right who then saved Victoria Williams' header from the resulting corner kick.

Davies made her finest save of the tie at the other end from the resulting counter attack, substitute Emma Mitchell was sent through one-on-one, but Davies narrowed the opportunity and denied the shot. But she couldn't do much with Ellen White's shot five minutes later. The penultimate goal was then scored by Cater with eighteen minutes from time.


Arsenal could have had six much sooner if it wasn't for the woodwork. Mitchell rounded Davies but was denied by the post, Carter's attempt in the aftermath was too denied by the left-hand post. But Houghton soon added the sixth goal of the night from a deflected set-piece.


Arsenal harried for a magnificent seven. Kim Little maneuvered a majestic run but the long-range shot was spectacularly denied by Doncaster's Davies.Little's corner then fell to Freda Ayisi but her chance was cleared off the line.

Doncaster still challenged for a consolation goal. Naomi Chadwick's cross found England who turned the defender, but who's right-footed shot was sent just wide of the right hand post, as The Belles went a fourth consecutive game without scoring as they suffered their third consecutive defeat.

Doncaster Team: Nicola Davies, Lyndsey Cunningham, Leandra Little, Kasia Lipka, Sue Smith, Katie Brusell, Millie Bright, Victoria Williams, Ashleigh Mills, Lauren Cresswell, Bethany England. Subs: Emma Higgins, Naomi Chadwick, Julie Melrose, Jemma Purfield, Danni Cox, Rhiannon Roberts. Emma Johnson

Arsenal Team: Emma Byrne, Steph Houghton, Gilly Flaherty, Liara Grant, Jordon Nobbs, Rachel Yankey, Gemma Davison, Danielle Carter, Kim Little, Katie Chapman, Alex Scott, Subs: Yvonne Tracy, Ellen White, Emma Mitchell, Caroline Weir, Freda Ayisi, Cherie Rowlands.

Civil War At Anfield

It’s been a traumatic twelve months for football. Last summer the sport gasped as Real Madrid and Manchester City spent excessive amounts to entice the best players to their magnificent stadiums. We saw prize-asset Cristiano Ronaldo depart the Premiership for sunnier climates, before the division was thrown into the public eye for the wrong reasons, as the credit crunch hit hard and Portsmouth became the first team in English top flight history to enter administration. But nothing could really have foreseen the fiasco that has taken centre stage in the North West, as Liverpool’s internal hierarchy hit boiling point, and fuelled a bitter conflict as the club was divided.

Although the top story on the news this week stresses the magnificent survival of those miners who luckily escaped from deep depths in Chile, it is the chilly scene at Anfield that is attracting as much outside interest, and how a club with its terrific stature can be throw in equally as deep problems.

As recently as 2007, football’s European governing body, UEFA, slandered Liverpool’s fans as ‘the worse in Europe’, but surely even those supporters merit sympathy for the sudden downfall of their famous side. The crisis, although it was obviously not labelled as such way back then, began in the same year as the governing body’s evil words; as during 2007 Tom Hicks and George Gillett, two American businessmen with sporting backgrounds, became owners of the club.

Rick Parry’s sale to the ambitious Texans was made because he believed the move would take the club to the next level. Three months after the takeover- and following no concrete financial support, as there was no transfer window in this time- the club reached the final of Champions League, a feat that was never matched during Hicks and Gillett’s less than fruitful reign.

The club purchased striker Fernando Torres from Athletico Madrid for an audacious fee around £30million in summer 2007 to demonstrate their ambitious intentions; incidentally the club hasn’t won a major trophy since this purchase, despite Torres setting the world alight on many occasions with his vast goal scoring tally. The huge fee of the transfer has certainly placed a nail in the Americans’ coffin, but the Spanish magician is not the main culprit in the demise of the illustrious club.

As the recession hit numerous businesses hard throughout the world, Liverpool too began to mourn a sudden loss of finance, and during 2010 Hicks and Gillett were pushed towards the exit door. The club agreed a deal which would refinance the side, but it pushed Royal Bank of Scotland into the driving seat, at which point- Hicks and Gillett will argue- things subsequently took a turn for the worse.

June 2010 saw the first major twist in the ongoing saga following Martin Broughton and his team’s arrival, Hicks and Gillett continued to battle with financial strain along with added pressure, and once again attempted to refinance the deal they had with the club. The Royal Bank of Scotland squadron, which slightly outnumbered the pairing of the Americans, blocked the deal. The global recession showing its effects, Hicks and Gillett were in financial ruin and the bank was showing no sympathy.

A change of manager could have prompted a revival; it merely showed deeper problems as Rafa Benitez was dismissed after the owners had their own revolt against the Spaniard. The current Inter boss said in September, "The last year at Liverpool I had directors who knew nothing about soccer and you couldn't talk about soccer with them." A fierce critic who is unlikely to shy away from media frenzy, Benitez was forced to assemble what has been regarded as the two-man team at Anfield with Steven Gerrard and Torres the only prize assets. Fulham boss Roy Hodgson replaced Benitez, despite the imminent sale of the club. He was a manager with no previous experience of getting a club into the ‘top four’. He also had to contend with the previous boss’s stars returning from awful performances at the World Cup.

The sacking of Benitez and hiring of Hodgson no doubt took another chunk from the American owners’ wallets, another flawed decision, as the new owners may not have their style of football on the pitch, and therefore Hodgson’s job clearly not stable. Hodgson was immediately under pressure to deliver instant results, which with another man’s squad was far from a given.

As the takeover edged closer to its epic climax, October saw the evil Hicks and Gillett attempting to be very counter-productive and difficult to RBS’ plan to sell the club, yet the business was still edging closer to a sale.

October 6th brought change. Royal Bank Of Scotland, and subsequently Liverpool FC, had found a buyer. New England Sports Ventures, the owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team had agreed a deal. Martin Broughton then stated a disapproving view on Hicks and Gillett: “I am only disappointed that the owners have tried everything to prevent the deal from happening and that we need to go through legal proceedings in order to complete the sale,”. The quotes coming out of the football club as the sale became concluded were more of relief than looking to the future. The loyal Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “"Everyone knows it'll be a good thing for the club," James McKenna, who runs Spirit of Shankly boldly stated: "We need to rid the club of Gillett and Hicks. It does not matter where they come from as long as they understand Liverpool Football Club. That was the problem with Gillett and Hick, they never really got Liverpool.”

It proved that the owners did more harm than good. But unfortunately for Liverpool’s supporters this wasn’t the end of the tale. On October 7th the sale- believed to be in the region of £300 million- was sent to the courts to decide whether Hicks and Gillett had the grounds to sack Royal Bank of Scotland’s Purslow and Ayre. The court case was due to take place the following Tuesday. This brought with it the very real threat of administration, despite this Purslow stated: "I'm completely focused on making sure the sale completes. I'm not contemplating administration and nobody should be."

By Friday 15th Hicks and Gillett were gone. John Henry had become the new owner of the North West giants. A new era dawned. But a week of anti-climaxes and an embarrassing public affair left red faces by the Mersey. Roy Hodgson spoke of how a cloud had been lifted above the Anfield Kop. “"It's a very good day for the club," Hodgson said just before the deal was confirmed. "It's a relief...it's been a very difficult couple of weeks. There's no doubt a cloud has been lifted from the football club today."

As for the former owners, they wouldn’t die down. Tom Hicks stated the deal was an “epic swindle”. They even tried taking the club to court again, this time in Texas, but the English court stated whatever the outcome was of that case, the ruling wouldn’t over rule the decisions made in London. The Americans had been foolish not only with their ruling of the club during their tenure, but their actions during the sale prospect. It’s safe to say it’s not just a relief to Liverpool Football Club that they are now away from the club, but also away from the beautiful game as a whole.

Dream On, Doncaster

Written on July 27th

The summer rain has begun to poor in South Yorkshire today, after a mostly bright last few weeks. Glum clouds hover in the skies, and there’s a cold breeze that echoes from the trees. Maybe today is the day that Doncaster Rovers realise that this season will be the hardest in the Championship to date, as the new found optimism from the record signing of Billy Sharp begins to wear off, and Rovers fans start to realise still how very little strength in depth they have and begin to doubt their promotion credentials.

As someone who always looks at the bigger picture, and therefore sees the glass as half full more than half empty more the most, I possess a dream. A dream similar to that of Doncaster Rovers’ famous chairman, John Ryan, who has tipped the club for Premier League football. Ryan wishes Rovers to complete the final hurdle of his mammoth dream, which thus far has seen the club win three promotions during his tenure; reach the quarter finals of the Carling Cup and win the Football League Trophy- but is this dream nearing its completion? Or are we still far adrift from the ‘Promised Land’? I’m going to review the facts, but even the most optimistic of fan should be able to spot the difference between impossible, unlikely and believable. Which one does Rovers’ dream fit into this season?

Last summer Doncaster sold midfielder Richie Wellens to Leicester City. Richie was a huge player in our team that claimed promotion from League One via the Play-offs in 2007-08 and also helped us achieve the ‘great escape’ following being bottom at Christmas in the Championship in 2008. At his sale Rovers fans contemplated the worse, the former Blackpool and Oldham midfielder may have said that his time at the Keepmoat Stadium was the ‘best of his career’ but many saw Leicester as a step down, as they had just won promotion from League One themselves in 2008-09, and there were fears amidst that Rovers had become a sinking ship. Fans dreams were put on hold even further when Matthew Mills left for Reading FC, the Englishman is regarded in many people’s eyes to be the best centre back in the division, so this switch undoubtedly should have proved a huge blow to Sean O’Driscoll’s men.


Neither star was replaced by a big money purchase. John Oster, himself formerly at Reading, arrived from Crystal Palace on a free transfer in midfield. And Jason Shackell, transfer listed at Wolverhampton Wanderers and relegated with Norwich City in 08-09 arrived on loan in the centre of defence. What was our manager playing at? Particularly with Rovers still owning no recognised striker, as Steve Brooker remained on the sidelines with injury, where he was to stay for the rest of the season. Along with doubts over the striking ability of Paul Heffernan, James Hayter and Lewis Guy as Rovers had been the lowest scorers in the country for much of the previous campaign.

It was difficult to believe back then that our magnificent manager, who had been at the helm since 2006 was completely capable of keeping us in the division. The squad looked a weak shadow of its former self, and somehow we had to keep our status in the second tier of English football. O’Driscoll, not only kept us up, but did it in such style that the football world sat up and took notice, and Premier League side Burnley even made an audacious attempt to steal our beloved messiah. We must have done something right!

After an inconsistent start, Rovers solved their problematic striker crisis, by taking Billy Sharp on a seasons long loan from Sheffield United. Billy was an unpopular choice at the Blades, failing to live up to high expectations placed upon him from his amazing tally at Scunthorpe United previously in his career, neither had he shown any signs of adapting to Kevin Blackwell’s much more direct tactics. The 11th hour move, as the loan window neared closure, looked a shrewd move for all parties; Rovers found a prolific goalscorer capable of fitting the final piece of the jigsaw, Sharp found another chance to prove he can find the net at this level rather than in the lower depths of gloomy 3rd and 4th tiers of the English game, and Sheffield United remove an unwanted squad member from the wage bill? Everyone was happy and Rovers, with Sharp netting 15 goals before he picked up an injury near the end of the campaign, not only starved off relegation but also came within a whisker from the Play-off places.

Its strange how things can change in twelve months. The credit must go to the manager for his inspired, shrewd, bargain purchases. Rovers had finished in the top half of the Championship table without spending more than £500,000 on any one player. Its no wonder Burnley came knocking, but due to the financial stability Rovers had installed, the Lancashire side backed away and Rovers went on to continue their to-be-unsuccessful promotion push, as Burnley were relegated with Brian Laws at the helm.

Its not just the manager which makes my club so special. The dreams of the chairman and the fans, who often get realism and optimism confused within one another have to be given credit. And so the club’s rise shows no signs of slowing.

Rovers were so confident enough in their ability to maintain a challenge for promotion to the next level in the coming season that the club broke their transfer record to make Billy Sharp the highest paid player in the clubs history, fighting off Leeds United and Burley to do this. Who are both arguably bigger clubs. Sharp is no doubt confident in Rovers ambitions, and the club believe they can continue their drive on their quest for even greater glories.

But not everyone is an optimist in Donny, and it’s easy to see exactly why. Despite Rovers proving their squad last season had the ability to battle with the majority of the division, the club has noted an absence of some key players.

These began towards the end of last season. Rovers had a mini crisis in the centre of defence. Jason Shackell sustained an injury, which was to rule him out of the rest of the campaign, coupled with Sam Hird’s inexperience, and Adam Lockwood’s inconsistency resulted in James O’Connor being forced to deputise outside of his regular right back position, partnering Sheldon Martis.

With the end of Shackell’s loan spell, and him subsequently departing the Midlands for Barnsley, Rovers still have to endure the same problem that was created back then. O’Connor, despite providing excellent cover, is not being used to the best of his ability if he is in the wrong position.

Fans have also expressed concern that one of the clubs three summer signings this summer was a defensive midfielder. Rovers already have Wales international Brian Stock and ex-Manchester United and Middlesborough midfielder Mark Wilson occupying this position, so why have the club bothered to purchase Simon Gillett from Southampton, a man very highly rated on the south coast, who will no doubt demand first team football.

Rovers still have a striker crisis of sorts too. Steve Brooker’s fitness continues to be a major talking point from the Viking faithful. Added to this release of strikers Paul Heffernan and Lewis Guy, leaving just Sharp, James Hayter and Waide Fairhurst at the club. Fairhurst has just nine Rovers appearances to his name having graduated from the youth setup, meanwhile Hayter looks a depleted, old version of the prolific goalscorer once seen at Bournemouth early on in his career, and whether he can still cut the mustard in the Championship remains in doubt. O’Driscoll also sees Hayter as more of a midfielder.

So it looks like Rovers’ strength in depth could prove a stumbling block. You cannot have a promotion fight which is relying on the club’s season being injury free. At this point because of this, even I think promotion is beyond the club. But with the right individuals added it could provide the talent to really kick on this season, and not just finish in the top half again next season. But it could see us matching or bettering many people’s predictions that Doncaster Rovers could be the Championship’s dark horses in 2010-2011. ‘Dream On, Doncaster’ I say!

In the words of Harry Redknapp, "Is this Real Madrid?"

"I said to Joe Jordan after about six minutes - 'Is this Real Madrid?'" is potentially the ultimate tribute in football. And for it to be said about my club, it left me blushing but undoubtedly proud of my team, particularly if you put it into context - it was after a 5-1 defeat.

It is probably naive for me to think that Harry Redknapp's words will stay with me forever, but it is certainly a fate that I didn't expect when playing Conference football seven years ago.

I remember being sat at the Tottenham match, unhappy with our manager's team selection, but perhaps more dissappointed that my previous blogs had reached an anti-climax; with that praise maybe they weren't?

That match took place on 26th August. So it has certainly been a long spell to reflect, and obviously includes Deadline Day.

On 1st September, Doncaster concluded their long pursuit of a striker of outstanding quality (hopefully), with the loan signing of Sheffield United's Billy Sharp.

It would come of no surprise to me, or many other Championship followers, if this turns out to be the signing of the summer.

Sharp's form at Scunthorpe United warranted a switch to Sheffield United. He netted 56 goals in two seasons in a formidable partnership with Andy Keogh at the Irons, but his superb form hasn't been repeated at Bramall Lane. So it falls to Sean O'Driscoll to shape the resurrection.

A difficult task for the former Bournemouth manager? Especially when you look at his record of signing strikers. Tired and tested, failed and flawed is a common and developing pattern being noticed by even the less estute of Rovers' fans.

According to the statistics, goals have always been Rovers' downfall. Doncaster were promoted in 2007-08 from League One, and due to the injury problems of Paul Heffernan (who incidentally was signed by Dave Penney), the club's leading scorer that season was James Hayter, who notched up less than ten goals.

With Heffs out of the side until Christmas the following season, with a fall out with the manager believed to be the cause, after the play-off semi-final, Rovers until January, were the lowest scorers in the entire Football League.

Now I don't want to turn this blog into a moan at James Hayter, but a record transfer is an awful lot of money to pay. And for a striker with an impressive goalscoring tally, surely I'm within my rights to expect more goals? I have come close to giving up on this lad already this season, he must be the only 'goalscorer' in football who sends one-on-ones straight down the middle? And, having just turned thirty his days are presumably numbered in a Rovers' shirt? Surely he's the man who Sharp is going to be replacing? Or is our manager going to take it out on Paul Heffernan, again?

Now I don't want to end on a negative note so I will also express my delight on Rovers extending the loan of Jason Shackall. Shackall has come on loan to fill the void left by Matt Mills this summer, and Rovers have conceded just three goals in his five league appearances, which is pretty impressive.