Notts County 2 Doncaster Belles 1: New boss takes positives despite narrow defeat

But new manager Emma Coates was content with what she witnessed from her new team.

“We can definitely take positives,” she said.

“I was really happy with the first-half performance but we struggled to get the ball out wide in the second half.

“They managed the game well late on and it was tough for us in the end.

“We were tiring but I’m not sure if it’s physical or psychological. We have to get ourselves out of a bit of a lull at times and manage the game better when we’re on top.

“I told the girls it’s tough to take because that’s the best we’ve played all season but we’ve got more to build on from what we saw when we get teams back to Doncaster.”

Ellen White’s second-half strike earned County their second League win of the season, though the result was soured slighted by an injury to England goalkeeper Carly Telford.

After Rachel Williams’ opening goal, swivelling with ease to fire past Nicola Hobbs, former Lady Pie Jess Sigsworth levelled for Belles after Katrin Omarsdottir, who was a constantly threat, pulled the ball back to find the deadly Sigsworth who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner.

Telford picked up an injury on the stroke of half-time, a collision in the air prompted an awkward landing and County’s No1 was stretchered off with her left leg in a brace during the break.

But Amy Turner’s long ball forward caused confusion and allowed White to seal the win with a lobbed finish.

Doncaster Rovers Belles: Nicola Hobbs, Rachel Newborough, Leandra Little, Rhiannon Roberts, Sophie Barker, Kasia Lipka, Katrin Omarsdottir, Emily Simpkins, Lauren Cresswell, Carla Humphrey, Jess Sigsworth. Sub: Sam Tierney for Newborough 74.

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