A debut brace for Nikita Parris and a stoppage time strike from Toni Duggan on her return from injury were enough to see off the Belles, and secure a coveted place in the next round of the competition.
After a positive display in the face of a tough, battling Doncaster team, Nick Cushing’s side will now look towards the start of the FAWSL with confidence.
The sun shone brightly on the Academy Stadium for this 2015 curtain raiser and a thrill of excitement was in the air as the new season finally got off the ground.
With league action due to resume next weekend, this FA Cup encounter was a welcome appetiser. Doncaster arrived in Manchester full of confidence after securing a Continental Cup victory in the meeting between the two sides last May, and motivation was high as the teams emerged from the tunnel to loud cheers from the watching spectators.
After a busy summer of recruitment it was all eyes on the first competitive teamsheet of the new year, and boss Cushing opted to name four of his new signings in the premier starting XI.
Jennifer Beattie, Demi Stokes, Nikita Parris and Sarah Wiltshire were all included, while Duggan was fit enough to be named on the bench. Jill Scott wore the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Steph Houghton.
The game sparked into life almost immediately with a goal after just four minutes, but unfortunately for City it went the way of the visitors and left them with a tough task after going behind so early. Sophie Barker asked the question with her floated corner and centre back Leandra Little answered with a powerful header into the back of the net.
However, the Blues were quick to show they weren’t fazed by the setback, and Izzy Christiansen came agonisingly close to the equaliser before ten minutes had gone, but somehow she poked the ball wide after an excellent cross from Wiltshire.
City were on the front foot, with first Johnston and then Parris causing consternation in the Doncaster defence, and it required an excellent goal line stop from defender Little to deny Parris after the forward had rounded the keeper with aplomb.
However, she didn’t have to wait long and just after the half hour mark the debutant levelled the scores with a fine curling finish after being picked out perfectly by Captain Scott.
Sensing blood, City poured forward and defender Emily Roberts had to be on hand to prevent Wiltshire and Parris from capitalising on chances to take the lead before half time.
However, despite some excellent build-up play City often struggled to find the final ball to break down a stoic defence from the Belles.
In an entertaining game, Cushing’s team stayed true to their philosophy and nearly had a second not long after the break – Keira Walsh’s long range drive requiring a brilliant stop from keeper Nicola Hobbs, while at the other end Demi Stokes was City’s hero with a goalline stop.
Both teams were pushing for the winner before the threat of extra time loomed, and Jill Scott thought she had found it after tucking home a rebounded free kick only to see her effort chalked off for offside.
Sub Natasha Flint drew a pair of saves from Hobbs, the busier of the two keepers behind two excellent central defenders who frustrated the Blues on multiple occasions, but she was helpless to prevent Parris from doubling hers and City’s tally ten minutes from full time.
Christiansen found the forward lurking with intent on the right hand side, and she confidently stroked the ball low into the corner past the advancing Hobbs.
Doncaster striker Courtney Sweetman-Kirk tried twice to stem the celebrations but misdirected her shot on both occasions after running beyond the City defence, but the Continental Cup Champions required a third to settle any last-minute jitters.
Duggan was only too glad to provide it late in stoppage time with a characteristically cool finish when one on one with Hobbs to seal the victory and mark her own comeback in brilliant fashion.
A great start to the campaign and the draw for the next round awaits!
