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BETH ENGLAND says Doncaster Rovers Belles are on the hunt for goals as they look to reel in Reading and claim the WSL 2 title.
Second-placed Belles are level on points with Reading but are seven goals worse off heading into their final game of the season at home to Millwall Lionesses today.
The Royals face a trip to Aston Villa and, with both of the titlechasing sides fancied to win, the destination of the 2015 crown could well be decided on goal difference.
Crown
Doncaster beat Millwall 5-0 in the reverse fixture back in August with England among the scorers that day at The Den.
And the winger, pictured, who has netted 13 times this season in all competitions, accepts they will have to step it up a notch at the Keepmoat Stadium.
“We really want that champions’ spot,” said England. “If Reading get the points it will go down to goal difference so it’s important for us to score as many as possible.
“Our main aim this season was to get promoted and it would be the icing on the cake to win the league. Hopefully our fitness will wear them out and we can be a bit more clinical in front of goal – then I don’t see why we can’t get a big win.”
The Belles had one hand on the title before a damaging 3-3 draw against Everton at the beginning of September put them on the back-foot.
Since then the Royals have taken charge, and last Sunday’s 2-0 win away at Everton sent them back to the summit of the table at just the right time.
Reading have won their last three games, all away from home, in WSL 2 and Helen Ward knows another victory on the road at Aston Villa could cap a fantastic season.
“We will be going into the game like we do any other and our aim is to get the three points that we are after,” said the popular Royals striker.
“Doncaster have had a fantastic season but for them to score more than seven goals on the last game of the season is a tough task, but for us we will clearly be trying to win the game. “Going into this game we have worked hard and we do not want to slip up in the last game of the season so we are focusing on our own game.”
There is also a tight battle for third with Everton and Yeovil locked together on 28 points. “We definitely want to finish in third place,” said Everton defender Paige Williams ahead of their clash with Oxford United. “It definitely could have been a lot worse given all the draws we’ve had.
“To finish off with a win would be great even if we haven’t made it into the two spots at the top.”
Yeovil will be looking to overtake the Toffees when they host Durham while John Salomon will take charge of his last game as Watford boss as the bottom side welcome London Bees. FANS are being given the opportunity to elect the winners of three prestigious awards.
The Vauxhall England Women’s Player of the Year, Vauxhall Young England Player of the Year and FA WSL Goal of the Season will all be decided by fan votes.
Shortlists for the England accolades were drawn up by manager Mark Sampson and his assistant Marieanne Spacey. England captain Steph Houghton is joined by two of her Manchester City team-mates, goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and right-back Lucy Bronze, while Liverpool’s Fara Williams is the other candidate. Nominated for the Young Player award are Chelsea duo Fran Kirby and Jodie Brett, Sunderland striker Beth Mead and Notts County defender Alex Greenwood.
Meanwhile, eight goals have been chosen by BT Sport and the BBC as contenders for Goal of the Season.
Manchester City striker Toni Duggan has two efforts included (v Bristol Academy and Arsenal), while Notts County’s Ellen White (v Arsenal), Arsenal’s Natalia (v Liverpool), Sunderland’s Beth Mead (v Notts County), Chelsea’s Gilly Flaherty (v Notts County), Chelsea’s Ji So-Yun (v Liverpool) and Chelsea’s Fran Kirby (v Sunderland) have also been nominated. The deadline to vote, via www.thefa.com, is midday on Monday, October 26.The winners will be announced at The FA Women’s Awards at Wembley Stadium on Friday, December 4.