Beth England is desperate for table-topping Doncaster Rovers Belles to continue their fine start to the FA WSL 2 season against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Belles moved a point clear at the summit after their 1-1 draw with Everton last weekend, a result which looked all the better following Reading’s first loss of the season at home to Yeovil.
The one blight on Rovers’ record was a FA Women’s Cup exit to Manchester City, but England says all attentions are now on the league.
Doncaster Rovers Belles v Aston Villa
FA Women's Super League with BT Sport 2
6.30pm, Saturday 25 April
Keepmoat Stadium
By Josh Murray
And having already beaten Aston Villa 5-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this month, the England Under-23s star is confident of maintaining Doncaster’s lead at the top of the table.
“The more points you can get on the board early in the season, the better position you will be in as it all comes together at the end,” said the attacker.
“As long as we are getting the points then it doesn’t always matter how you are getting them, although the performances are important.
“It’s been a great response since the Manchester City result, it hasn’t affected us. So now it is a case of concentrating on the league, getting the points and doing what we have to do to be up there.
“It’s hard to know what to expect from a side like Aston Villa, although you can guarantee it will be a tough challenge.”
Villa recovered well from their humbling against Doncaster by beating Oxford 2-0 last time out. Sandwiched in between, though, was a 5-1 defeat in the FA Women’s Cup quarter-final to Notts County.
Aston Villa's Jade Richards
Jade Richards admits the Lady Villans have had a mixed start to their league campaign, with two wins and two defeats, but the defender believes they can put the record straight at the Keepmoat Stadium.
“Last year the Belles were going for promotion and with the quality they have they’ll be doing so again,” said Richards. “But I know that if we turn up on the day, we can at least take a point away.
“I think the key to beating any really good side is making sure you don’t give away any silly free-kicks, like the way we did against Notts County in the FA Cup.
“As a defender I think our back line has performed quite well, but it has been set-pieces that have really hurt us. Hopefully we’ve got that out of system before the game against Doncaster.”
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