Historic first meetings for Sheffield FC Ladies and Doncaster Rovers Belles

Sheffield men’s Super League 2 Spring Series begins on Sunday with Sheffield FC Ladies hosting Doncaster Rovers Belles (2.00pm).

Sheffield had not been formed when Belles appeared in their 13th and most recent Women’s FA Cup Final (2002) and the pair have yet to meet competitively until now.

Both teams progressed in the Cup last weekend and the pair meet again a week later after being drawn together in the fourth round.

Belles had a walkover after fellow WSL 2 team Watford withdrew.

But Sheffield had a testing 90 minutes in their tie at FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division title chasing Charlton Athletic. Sophie Jones and Tasha Flint, on her debut, scored as Sheffield won 2-0.

Another newcomer at Sheffield is Lagan Makin, who, like Flint, signed from Fylde, while most of the squad who acquitted themselves creditably in last year’s debut in WSL have re-signed. Kirsty Hanson, on loan at Sheffield in the second part of last season, has joined Belles for whom Maz Pacheco is now a permanent signing.

With much uncertainty over Watford’s future, Notts County given a seven-week stay of execution over a winding up order and Sunderland reverting to part time, the WSL, launched as a “flagship”, is currently sailing very choppy seas.

Steel City Wanderers lost 4-0 at Wolves who climbed to second in the FA Women’s Premier League Midland Division One, three points behind leaders Loughborough Foxes who visit Rotherham on Sunday.

Second place Sheffield United won 5-0 at Mansfield Hosiery Mills to keep their East Midlands League Premier Division title push (and promotion to the FAWPL) going strong. Jen Pearson 2, Rachel Ruddach, Christina Skull and Shannon Smith were on target as United passed the 50 goal mark in League games and 100 in all competitions.

Oughtibridge drew 0-0 at York in the North East League Premier Division.

Sheffield Wednesday boosted their prospects of runners up spot in the Southern Division behind champions elect Farsley Celtic, winning 6-2 at Courts City thanks to goals from Sophie Eyre 2, Ellis Ridge 2, Kathryn Mudge and Channy Rymer.

* Beighton Magpies are Sheffield & Hallam County League Division One champions after beating Dinnington Town 12-0 thanks to goals from Rachel Charles 2, Billie Gordon 2, Kerry Armstrong, Maria Burns, Brooke Chappell, Rachel Hale, Sam Hale, Emily Rumsby, Ellen Smith and an opponent.

Other results included: Handsworth 5 (Chloe Tattershall (pen), Dani Pinder, Alicia Johnson, Charlotte McCourt, Beth Thomas), AFC Dronfield 2 (Georgia Goodwin, Becky Bryan); Sheff Wed Res 2 (Halima Essa, Lucy Ridley), Dronfield Town 1 (Becky Hill).

Div Two - AFC Unity 1 (Charlotte Marshall), Rovers Foundation 8 (Vicky Owen 2, Hayley Wood 2, Nicolle Jepson, Jenna McGee, Chloe Mellor, Trudi Race); Chesterfield 0, Worksop Town 4 (Leah Hardy 3, Carly Herrick); Worksop Town Jun 0 Shaw Lane 1

Div Three - Millmoor Jun 4 (Dayna Antcliffe, Leanne Corns, Briony Pinches, Carly Uttley), Shef Wed Development 3 (Amy Beck 2, Kira Roberts); Socrates 2 (Hope Adamson, Alex Buskwood), Harworth Coll 6.