Rotherham Utd Ladies 3 v 2 Aston Villa Ladies

Rotherham United gain their second win of the season thanks to a perfect hat trick from striker Suzanne Davies.

The Millers showed grit and determination to beat high flying Aston Villa, although they had to come from a two goal deficit. The opening 20 mins were played at a good pace with both sides creating chances, Longstone came close for the Millers after 4mins when an opportunity to lob the goalkeeper from 20 yards saw the ball scrape the top of the Villa cross bar. Villa hit the bar at the next attack and the Millers defence was able to scramble the ball clear. Durrands came close when she broke free from her fullback position and hit a good shot resulting in a good save by the Villa keeper.

Villa moved up a gear and the Millers conceeded their first with a shot from outside the box which flew in the top corner beating Millers keeper Whiteley on 24mins. The ladies hardly had time to draw breath before loosing possesion in the Villa final third, they broke quickly and saw the ladies with three on three. With Booth beaten, the Villa forward slotted the ball home to take a two goal lead with 25mins gone.

Rotherham were able to get back in the game when Booth played into Needham who played a terrific ball to Longstone, she was able to beat the fullback with pace and skill and deliver the perfect ball from the byline into the Villa box which was met at the near post by Davies to head home for the Millers. Inspired by the belief in their ability the Millers raised their game and they drew level when Davies latched onto a through ball and shot powerfully past the goal keeper to make it 2 – 2 at the interval.

The ladies returned from the break more confident that they could go on and get all three points from the game and on 55mins. The perfect hat trick was achieved when Jones powererd a header over the Villa backline and Longstone completley foxed the Villa defence, to allow Davies to race through and chip the outcoming keeper.

The ladies showed more composure than in previous games when they have conceeded late goals and when Whiteley came rushing out to clear the ball the defence got in a good position and were able to clear up behind her. Pollock subsituted due to injury to her back saw Hanson move into the full back position and make the most remarkable headed clearance by heading the ball clear off the line when it looked a certain equaliser.

Rotherham face tough opponents in the league cup when they take on Portsmouth at home next Sunday 2pm KO

Squad: Whiteley, Durrands, Booth, Allen, Pollock, Needham, Jones, Lynskey, Longstone, Hanson, Davis

Subs: Used – McCool 80mins (Pollock), Not Used: Goodman, Carlton, Hale, Sloan

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