First point of the season for the ladies

An entertaining match for the spectator, and a constant battle on the field, this match had thrills right up to the last minute.

Last season the two sides played each other twice in a week with both teams coming away with a 2-1 victory, so it wasn't a surprise to see a close game.

Sheffield came into the game with 100% record so far this season and definitely on the up, with Doncaster, conversely, looking to find their first points.

Doncaster once again fielded a few players making their debuts; goalkeeper Bea Jones, defender Victoria Hopkinson and midfielder Louise Marzono, all juniors who have shown their mettle in the under 16's.

It was Doncaster who started the game stronger with Sheffield unable to contain the strong midfield of Steph Lonyon, Sheri Newbury, Louise Marzono and Joanne Pilson, who were constantly pressuring Sheffield making it very difficult for them to get into any sort of rhythym.

Doncaster were getting the ball into dangerous positions time and again, with Mary Shakesheff and Emma Hagemann upfront causing the visitors all sorts of trouble with intelligent runs to pick the ball up and great runs into the circle.

With all the pressure, it was no surprise when Doncaster took the lead. With both strikers getting into the circle and the midfield pushing up, a ball played in was superbly played by Mary to Emma who calmly finished past the approaching goalkeeper.It was no more than Doncaster deserved and the pressure continued with 2 short corners in quick succession, neither of which Doncaster were able to convert.

Sheffield were unable to contain Doncaster and shortly before half time they were awarded another short corner for a deliberate stick tackle inside the 25. After receiving the ball from the injection, Emma Haggeman produced a fiercely well struck shot which left the Sheffield keeper rooted to the spot. Sadly, for Doncaster, their celebrations were cut short as the umpire adjudged the ball to have not come all the way out of the circle before the shot was taken.

As the half-time whistle blew, Doncaster were unlucky to go into the break with just a one goal advantage.

The second half began as the first had finished with Doncaster playing most of the game in the opposition half. More and more, runs by Emma and Mary were causing the visitor's defence all sorts of trouble and their determination paid off with an almost identical scenario from the first goal with Mary passing to Emma in the circle for her to calmly finish past the keeper.

At this point Doncaster seemed to have the points in the bag but Sheffield were determined not to lie down and a couple of substitutions by the away team changed the whole shape of the game. Now, it was Doncaster who were on the back foot and Doncaster's defence of Micheala Watkins, Becky West, Victoria Hopkinson and Julie Harrison stepping up their game to protect goalkeeper Bea Jones.

The juniors had shone in this game, with Louise showing maturity in the midfield but this game belonged to Victoria Hopkinson. For such a young girl she showed some great confidence, using great vision, tenacity speed to get Doncaster out of trouble as Sheffield turned the screw.

The Sheffield onslaught finally paid dividends on 55 minutes with a goalmouth scramble leading to a sloppy goal.

Sheffield were getting stronger and stronger, constantly bombarding Doncaster's defence looking for the equaliser. And some nervous defending in the circle from short corners had Doncaster holding on to their lead by the skin of their teeth.

With a minute to go, Doncaster seemed to be heading for 3 points but with Sheffield not giving up, their determination paid off with another scrambled goal.

Sheffield could have even gone on to win as they won the ball back from the Doncaster pushback and were narrowly wide with a shot.

The final whistle probably came too soon for Sheffield but on the whole a draw was probably a fair result.

Player of the match deservedly went to Victoria Hopkinson with nominations for Steph Lonyon, Joanne Pilson and Louise Marzono.

The draw moves Doncaster up to 7th in the table.