Doncaster manager Gordon Staniforth insists his side are determined to sustain their current momentum after a 2-0 victory over Durham kept their FA Women’s Super League 2 title hopes alive.
First-half goals from Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Rhiannon Roberts secured the Belles’ fifth consecutive win and moved them to within two points of leaders Sunderland with two games remaining.
Staniforth is confident his players will keep focused on their own preparations but both Doncaster and Sunderland will need to be wary with Reading still in the hunt after their 3-1 victory over Millwall.
Donny Belles 2-0 Durham
FA WSL 2
Saturday 11 October
Despite failing to match the attacking verve of their triumph over Sunderland last weekend, the Belles’ early strikes were enough to ensure Durham’s 10th defeat of the season.
And Staniforth admits he was relieved to negotiate another challenging fixture before turning his attentions to upcoming games against Yeovil and London Bees.
He said: “I’m chuffed to bits with that – first half we were tremendous and had lots of chances but in the second half we had plenty of possession and could not convert it.
“Full credit to Durham as they packed the defence, but we’ve chalked another three points off.
“We’ve set our standards very, very high. The tempo was incredible at Sunderland and we couldn’t maintain it here but a win is a win.
“We keep telling Courtney what a revelation she has been since coming to the club in the mid-season break and she’s still aiming to be our top goalscorer.
“I won’t be looking at results elsewhere – it’s just a case of doing our own job now.”
After a slow start, Durham keeper Danielle Hill carelessly conceded possession from a goal kick and Sweetman-Kirk slotted in from close range following Jess Sigsworth’s pass.
Hill then turned away Sweetman-Kirk’s effort on 34 minutes only for Roberts to head home from the subsequent Bethany England corner.
Sue Smith could have sealed the win on 87 minutes but she was not to rue her miss, leaving Durham boss Lee Sanders to ponder his side’s mistakes.
“When we went in at half-time Dani put her hand up and admitted to the first [goal], and one of the other players admitted they didn’t track their player for the set piece,” said Sanders.
“It’s two mistakes but other than that we’ve done a good job.
“I went for something a bit different to try to contain Doncaster but we’ve been punished for two mistakes and at this level you’re going to be.”
