Everton eventually overcome Doncaster

Dec 14 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON LADIES eventually put the misery of their defeat to Arsenal 10 days ago behind them, as they overcame Doncaster Rovers Belles 3-1 in the National Premier League at Marine on Wednesday night.

They had a number of hurdles to challenge before the game kicked off, as the Doncaster team were caught up in traffic after an accident on the M62.

After a long delay, the game eventually kicked off 90 minutes later than was initially planned but it was the hosts who were the slow starters conceding a goal just six minutes into the game.

After some sustained pressure on the home goal, Everton failed to clear a handling error by goalkeeper Danielle Hill, and Vikki Stevens prodded the ball home into the net.

Then as a direct reaction to that scare, Everton’s Jody Handley saw her shot across goal strike the far post directly from the kick-off.

Parity was restored after 10 minutes and it was Emily Westwood who headed home a Michelle Evans free kick.

The woodwork was struck again with Everton pressing forward, this time forward Natasha Dowie saw her strike canon off the far post and to safety.

The home side took the lead eight minutes before the break, and it was again Westwood who made the break through.

It was again an Evans free kick that caused the trouble, and Rachel Unitt’s header was cleared off the line, but Westwood was on hand to side foot home from six yards.

The first major event of the second period saw Jill Scott hit the wood work, but this time it ended in a goal.

Scott picked out a superb right-foot strike from the edge of the box which slammed off the far post and into the net.

It was a well-deserved win and a confidence boost for the side was achieved ahead of Sunday’s trip to Watford for a League Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Liverpool will meet Arsenal in the other semi.