Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-0 Watford Ladies
The FA UMBRO Futsal Cup
The English Institute Of Sport, Sheffield.
Doncaster Rovers Belles, up against all of the odds, went on to lift The FA Futsal Women’s Cup on Sunday, courtesy of a hard fought victory against Watford Ladies.
The Belles were only brought into the competition as a late replacement for the Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA last week and had never played Futsal before the weekend.
After quickly familiarising themselves with the laws of the game and taking in a few of the matches between the more established teams in the competition, they soon got to grips with Futsal but they were made to work hard for their victory before a goal from former England international Vicky Exley proved the difference.
Last year’s winners Watford had been in impressive form throughout the competition, so they went into The Final as favourites and they settled down the quicker of the two teams.
After five minutes of the game, Watford’s Helen Lander looked up before sending a powerful shot at goal which was unfortunate to hit the angle and bounce to safety.
At the other end, Exley found herself in a bit of space but her shot was well saved by Lauren Davey in the Watford goal as half time arrived with the teams tied.
However, seven minutes into the second half and the breakthrough arrived as the ball was worked towards Exley on the left and she sneaked a shot into the goal with her right foot.
As Watford threw all caution to the wind in the last few minutes, by replacing Davey with an outfield player, the Belles could have all but sealed it when Francesca Waller had the whole of an empty goal to aim at only to narrowly miss from long range.
It wasn’t to prove decisive though and the Belles hung on to give South Yorkshire some cheer after what has been a super event in Sheffield.
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