Women's Football: Doncaster Belles seal vital win; Millers edged out in eight-goal thriller

It was Belles’ first FAWNL game under newly-appointed manager and former Doncaster Rovers defender Andy Butler.

The win took them on to 10 points from 11 games (the halfway point in their season), seven points clear of second-bottom Solihull Moors, whom Belles host this Sunday.

Another home win is essential to avoid undoing the win over Burton who are without a point to date.

Solihull gained just six points last season as they avoided the drop, so they need a significant transformation in their fortunes if they are to escape again.

Leah Hardy netted for Sheffield FC who overturned an interval deficit to win 2-1 at Stockport County in Reserve North Division Two.

Full-time (tier one) FA Women’s Super League teams Birmingham City and Tottenham Hotspur prevailed over Sheffield United (3-0) and Barnsley (5-0) respectively in the Women’s FA Cup fourth round.

The scores, Barnsley’s in particular, were very respectable for the local pair.

At 3-1 up after 75 minutes of their home East Midlands League Premier Division clash at home to leaders Peterborough United, Rotherham United were on course to close the gap to four points with three games in hand.

The rosy picture painted by quality goals from Claire Bratton, Amy Pollock and Nat Shaw was in contrast to the final score of 5-3 to Peterborough who struck twice in quick succession to level and then secured victory with another quick brace late on.

With over half the fixtures still to be played, the North East League Division One South title race is amazingly tight.

Jess Morrison and Emma Otley scored for Sheffield Wednesday in their 5-2 defeat at Altofts, the two teams part of a quartet locked on 19 points.

It was a good day for Division Two leaders Sheffield Wednesday Development who booked their place in the Shield semi-finals.