Sheffield United (Phillips 62, Rigg 84)

United's Under 21s sealed progression into the knockout stages of the FA Women's National League Plate with a hard-fought win against Doncaster Rovers Belles.

While the win wasn't enough to seal one of the best runners-up spots and a pathway into the Cup itself, goals in the final half an hour from Isla Phillips and Alex Rigg sealed the win in what had been a close match, and while the young Blades started the game well and created some good chances, it became more even as the first half wore on.

Phillips had a chance inside the first 60 seconds but rolled an effort just wide of the far post before Issy Stewart saw one effort from range blocked and another go wide as the attacking midfielder saw plenty of the ball and picked up good positions, while Abbie Jones went close when she blocked a kick out from the Belles goalkeeper.

The game evened out nearer the end of the half as the Belles threatened with a couple of set-pieces, but United stepped it up a gear again after the break, going close on several occasions before Phillips stepped onto a cut back from Jones and fired low into the far corner.

Belles threw everything at United as the game wore on, knowing an equaliser would send them through in place of the Blades, but with five minutes to go substitute Rigg was in the right place to fire home after youngster Darcey Summerfield skipped past her marker and picked out the forward on the other side of the box.

Blades: Pendlebury, Phillips (Summerfield 63), Fisher, Lavery, Bonelle, Stewart, Thompson, Branton, Jones, Shore (Rigg 46), Day.
Unused: Williams-Owen.

Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-2 United Women Under 21s - report