Belles Battle Black Cats To The End (FA WSL 2 review)

WSL 2 delivered its own climax as Doncaster Rovers Belles pushed Sunderland to the final day. The Belles’ 2-1 win at Sunderland, after falling behind, cancelled the promotion party and left the Black Cats needing to win both remaining games. They did so, edging a nervy fixture at Oxford before a classy 4-0 performance at Millwall, three quickfire second-half goals settling nerves as news filtered through of Doncaster’s 9-0 win at London Bees. Photo sequences follow both squads through the day, from the team bus and changing room to Kelly McDougall’s opening goal, Abbey Joice sealing the win, and the champions’ celebrations. The Belles pages include a pre-match round of applause in honour of Hannah Brown, whose death is reported earlier in the issue.