Reds lose on final dayThe final Women’s Super League game of the season ended in a frustrating defeat for the Reds, yet despite creating plenty of chances failed to find the back of the net.
Liverpool started the brighter of the two sides in their final league game, with Lillie Billson stealing possession straight from a Doncaster kick off and setting up Katie Brusell, only for her shot to be saved.
The forward again dispossessed the visitor's defence just minutes later, but this time Kelly Jones saw her effort kept out by Mary Earps in the away net.
The first real Doncaster attack came in the 20th minute, but the combined defensive efforts of Samantha Chappell and Vicky Jones saw the ball eventually travel wide for a goal kick.
The first Doncaster goal came against the run of play, when the visitors were awarded a corner from a superb Nicki Harding tackle. Aine O' Gorman's long delivery was met first-time by Beth England, who sweetly volleyed home to give the visitors an advantage.
Lillie Billson almost caught the visitors sleeping not long after play restarted, but her shot soared across the face of the goal and wide of the far post.
Emily Gielnik then replaced Katie Brusell just before the break, with the winger carrying a knee injury.
Another super challenge from Nicki Harding just before the interval proved enough to keep O' Gorman from going into half time two up. The striker found herself seemingly one on one with Sarah Quantrill, but a last-ditch foot-in from Harding prevented her from getting a shot away and the ball travelled to safety.
Liverpool started the second half as they did the first, with substitute Emily Gielnik having the first chance of the half, but despite beating two defenders her shot was easily stopped by Earps.
Michelle Evans' wide free-kick caused havoc in the Doncaster box, but the Reds failing to capitalise on some uncertain defending and the ball was eventually cleared down-field.
Doncaster almost doubled their advantage but their captain Leandra Little's header from a corner was just over Quantrill's bar.
Cheryl Foster replaced Kelly Jones in the 59th minute.
The reds came closest to equalising on the 63rd minute when Lillie Billson's through ball found substitute Foster just inside the Doncaster box. Foster managed to get a shot away, but a good save from Earps denied her an equaliser.
Billson almost rippled the net 15 minutes from time when she found herself just outside the Rovers box. After turning back inside past a defender and onto her stronger right foot she struck the ball sweetly enough but it sailed just past the top corner, inches away from what would have been a spectacular goal.
Matt Beard's last change came on the 75th minute when Sophia Riccio replaced Nicki Harding.
Doncaster almost doubled their advantage when O' Gorman squared across the 6-yard box to Beth England whose sliced effort drifted wide of an open goal.
Cheryl foster?s pass to Billson 10 minutes from time gave the striker another chance to level, but her shot drifted just wide. Liverpool again came agonisingly close, when another fantastic delivery from the left-boot of Michelle Evans was met with a strong header from Chappell, but yet again Earps denied the Reds an equaliser.
Doncaster looked sure to extend their lead just 3 minutes from time when O' Gorman found herself in space on the attack and with support, only to be denied by the superb tracking of Vicky Jones who tackled the striker and cleared to safety.
A late surge then ensued with Hannah Keryakoplis forcing a corner out of Earps, to which even Quantrill joined the attack. But the Reds were left sparse at the back and from the resultant counter attack, O' Gorman found herself with a clear run on goal, and chipped over Quantrill who had tracked back, to put the tie beyond doubt.
This means the Reds finish the season in 8th place and will be looking to build for next season.
Final Score: Liverpool Ladies 0-2 Doncaster Rovers Belles.
By Mitch Francis - liverpoolladiesfc.com