Belles

[BobG]

Evening chaps

This is a repeat of a post I've just made in the Belles section. But I know not many get to see much in that room, so I thought them that's interested might like to see a few thoughts about today. If you're not interested, apologies. Just pass on by - though I do suggest, if you are at all fed up watching thr dross that the Rovers are serving up at the moment, get on down to the KM for the last 2 Belles matches of the season. You will be gobsmacked just how good they are, and, I promise you, you will be staggered by the two girls upfront: Bethany England  and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk. Those two really are just awesome.

Anyway, it was a damn hard game today. Barnet were very well organised. They didn't offer much going forwards, but they were quick to the tackle, they marked very closely in midfield and they had a human battering ram to aim at upfront.

Except for the occasional flash, the Belles didn't have the crispness that they had had against Reading , but to be honest, they didn't need to. On another day they would have won 12-1. They really did make that many stonkingly good chances.  Real peaches of chances. But you could see the nervousness shining through all game. They carved Barnet open time after time after time - but either they kept missing the target or, when their aim was better, the Barnet goalie got in the way. She made three worldies in the first half alone.  Some goalie that girl. She made exactly 1 mistake all game. Fantastic positioning, very safe hands and impeccable command of the area. A really very good goalie. I hope the Belles sign her up. Our goalie faced exactly one shot all game - a lob she had no chance with. But she still managed to drop the ball when it was easier to catch it once!

Once again though the stand out things for me were the skill and really beautiful ball control, even when under pressure, from the Belles, their vision and awareness of what's going on around them, the fantastic long passing and, of course, those two diamonds upfront: Bethany England, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk. Top, top players. Better than anything the Rovers have got right now.

Seriously chaps, if you're fed up watching the dross the men are serving up, get down to the KM for the last 2 matches of the season. Give 'em a cheer. They are doing this town a whole load of good. Give 'em a bit back.

Weakness? Yes. Once again the Belles showed they are not strong enough in midfield. They lost the ball way too often to the close marking and quick tackling of the Bees. They disappeared from the match from time to time too. They didn't impose themselves on a competant but hardly extraordinary Bees midfield. I still think the Belles, despite their undoubted ability to score,  will be mullered by most teams next season unless they get a much stronger, more aggressive and quicker midfield. You could see that weakness in the last 10 minutes or so of the match. It all got very tense indeed - and there wasn't enough strength, of mind or of body, to get hold of that damn ball and do something intelligent with it. Courtney had the wit and the strength to do it on the odd occasion when she did get hold of the ball late on. But the midfield isn't in the same league as her.

The Hive is quite nice. The service in their bar is shite and the prices are eye watering.

BobG

PS I got a selfie with Sue Smith! And I got a handshake and a grin from Courtney too

PPS I had a chat after the match with Emily Roberts. You should see her left shin!!! it looked to me like it needs amputating. Talk about being bruised!!!!!

[The Red Baron]

The next home game is on Saturday and is after the Rovers v Dingles match.

Apologies if I've missed something, but it doesn't seem to be being marketed as a double header. Bit of a missed opportunity there, I think.

[BobG]

I might be able to make the last match of the season - Sunday 18th October at home to Millwall. I been invited for the weekend to a Warwick Uni celebration so I'd already be half way to the KM....

Here's a link to some highlights of yesterday. Passing is good even if the shooting generally isn't!

http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/video-london-bees-1-doncaster-rovers-belles-2-1-7485502

BobG