The FA Women’s National League has confirmed that the result of the Division One North fixture between Doncaster Rovers Belles and Norton & Stockton Ancients will stand, following the abandonment of the match on Sunday 30 November 2025.
The game, played at Millmoor, was halted in the 68th minute after Belles’ goalkeeper Scarlette Slater-Rowley suffered a serious injury. At the time of the stoppage, Norton & Stockton Ancients were leading 2–1.
After reviewing the circumstances, the FA WNL Board ruled that the home club was at fault for the abandonment and ordered that the result should stand, with all three points awarded to the visitors.
The Board have not provided details of their decision-making process as to how the fault was attributed.
Play was stopped after Slater-Rowley was involved in a heavy collision with an opposition player, sustaining a knee to the head and neck. The impact left her unconscious, prompting players from both teams to immediately signal for medical assistance.
Medical staff from both clubs responded swiftly, providing on-field treatment alongside Norton & Stockton player Erin Green, a qualified doctor who previously came through the Doncaster Rovers Belles Academy. With blood coming from Slater-Rowley’s nose and concerns over a potential neck injury, an ambulance was called.
After a 40-minute wait for its arrival, the goalkeeper received further treatment on the pitch for around 20 minutes before being taken to hospital by ambulance shortly after 3.30pm, accompanied by Belles physiotherapist Lydia Wade.
Sixteen-year-old Slater-Rowley, who had only made her senior debut last July against Leeds United, has yet to return for Belles in competitive action, although it is understood she has since returned to training.
The Board’s decision has been viewed as extremely harsh on Belles, particularly given previous precedents. Fixtures between Halifax Town and Derby County, York City and Barnsley, and Middlesbrough and York City were all abandoned due to player injuries, with the FA WNL Board ordering full replays in each case.
My personal view is that the match should be replayed in full or the Board owe fans a full explain.
It is understood that Belles have lodged an appeal, meaning the final outcome—whether the match will be replayed or the points remain with Norton & Stockton—has yet to be determined.
Confirmation of the decision came on the same day Doncaster Rovers Belles announced that manager and technical director Amanda Greenslade had resigned from her roles to pursue “other opportunities.”
