All photos are by Jaskirt Dhaliwal Birmingham City Ladies are still looking for their first win of the season following a dismal display which saw Doncaster Rover Belles punish them with two goals either side of half time, and who were unlucky to add to the scoreline with a missed penalty and a header smashing off the bar.
 | | Birmingham City LFC v Doncaster Belles |
Whereas the result last week against Chelsea felt harsh on Birmingham, there could be no sympathy for them after this show. Beaten in possession, in the chances created and overall performance, this was well below par for such a promising team. Doncaster themselves weren't exactly setting the pitch on fire but what they did successfully, defending as a unit and not giving away free kicks in dangerous areas, was Birmingham's downfall, with both of the goals coming from set pieces. The match started off with a poignant minutes silence after the sudden and unexpected death of Merv Cartwright, former kit manager and a valuable member of the club, earlier in the week. Respectfully held, the Blues showed their team spirit and togetherness that has held them strong through a tough summer and this tragedy. And although this was reflected in the first few minutes of the match it soon gave way to a flourish of red, as Doncaster notched up an early seventh minute lead after an in swung free kick was headed home by England international Vicky Exley. Already on the back foot, Birmingham struggled to breakdown a competent Doncaster, and their only chances of note fell to Ellen Maggs, whose shot across goal was harmlessly cleared, Jenny Igoe, who stung the keepers gloves and Kirsty Robson, starting her first match for injured Karen Carney, who went close to scoring. With a total of 9 shots on goal, Birmingham never in all honestly looked threatening enough to get an equaliser.
 | | Birmingham City LFC v Doncaster Belles |
Before half time Doncaster could have doubled their lead after an in swung corner not dealt with somehow found its way to the back post, and instead of hitting the top corner of the net came crashing off the underside of the bar. Birmingham were lucky to escape with a slender lead going into half time. The second half saw Doncaster grow from strength to strength, and they were rewarded for their efforts in emphatic fashion. Vicky Exley won a free kick on the 58th minute just outside the 18 yard box, following another careless challenge, and Pauline Hamill punished with a curled beauty over the wall and into the top left corner, which gave keeper Sue Wood no chance. Ten minutes on and Exley was at it again, as she rushed into the penalty area only to be chopped down, and the referee made no hesitation in pointing at the spot. Fouled Exley stepped up to take, but was thwarted by a tremendous save by Wood, who had to dive full to her left to parry the ball away. Although delighted by the penalty save, Birmingham failed to capitalise on it to get a foothold in the game and claw themselves back.
 | | Birmingham City LFC v Doncaster Belles |
With Carney and Sally Lacey missing, perhaps their fortunes will be better against Bristol Academy, if they return. With such tremendous performances previous to this, Birmingham have proved beyond doubt they have the personal and spirit to grind out a result. Now it's just a matter of who will be their first victims. Birmingham City Ladies play at Redditch United FC's ground and kick off starts at 2pm. (Bristol Academy Wednesday 5th October KO at 7.30pm). Entry at Redditch United Football Club is £3 adults, £1 children. And listen out for Jenny Wilkes regular report on women's football in Daz Hale's Sportsnight on BBC WM 95.6FM every Tuesday night at 8.30pm. | 
