Rotherham United Ladies welcomed the team formally known as West Bromwich Albion to Rawmarsh on Sunday and attacked right from the first whistle, with Sarah Thickett finding Helen Lynskey, who shot wide. Lynskey then knocked a through ball for Hayley Wood to chase down the middle and get in a shot in that forced the visiting ‘keeper to make a save at close range. The Millers were keeping the ‘keeper busy as Wood chased down a weak back pass forcing the ‘keeper to block the ball and clearing for a corner. Lynskey headed the resulting corner from Natalie Mason just wide. Albion were almost rewarded on their first real attack of the game as they worked the ball down the right and put in a cross which Bridget Booth could only glance towards her own goal. Luckily Charlie Whiteley was alert to the danger and saved low down to her right. The Millers responded with left back Sarah Saxon showing her usual tenacity to win the ball and release Lynskey who decided to shoot from range only to see the ‘keeper get right behind the ball to save. Albion then stepped up the pressure with some decisive attacking play that culminated in Whiteley making a great save with her legs and Klare Osbourne making a goal saving block from the rebound. Whiteley then produced a fantastic save, tipping a fierce shot onto the bar at full stretch, with the follow up shot being blocked by bodies in the box. The ball was cleared only for another shot from distance being cleared over the bar by Longstones’s header.

The Millers relieved the pressure with Lynskey clipping the ball through for Wood to run on to and beat two defenders before playing the ball across for Lynskey to hit a first time shot that the ‘keeper tipped round the post. Albion broke from the resulting corner and it took a good challenge from Millers captain Kerry Longstone to clear the danger. Albion attacked again, just shooting wide from the edge of the box before another good move ended with a pass into the box which the visiting striker could only hit wide form 6 yards. Albion kept pushing forward with some good close passing and were this time rewarded as Longstone just clipped the attacker as she closed in on goal. The referee showed no hesitation in awarding a penalty which was hit firmly to send Whiteley the wrong way and give the visitors the lead after 41 minutes. Rotherham responded with Wood winning possession out on the right before passing inside to Lynskey who turned and moved the ball to Sarah Thickett whose shot was finger tipped onto the bar. The ‘keeper made it a double save as she saved Lynskey’s follow up shot to preserve Albion’s lead going into half time.

Home manager Paul Durrands started the second half by making a substitution as Rachael Rutherford was replaced by Claire Needham. Albion were soon putting The Millers under pressure and 5 minutes into the half Longstone was robbed 30 yards out and could only watch as the attacker advanced and then hit a 25 yard shot over an advancing Whiteley. Rotherham tried to get back into the game with Amy Pollock making a strong run towards the box before pulling the ball back to Lynskey, whose shot went just wide. Rotherham made their second substitution as Kerry Jones replaced Natalie Mason on the hour mark. Lynskey caused panic in the visitors defence as she took them on before hitting a deflected shot from 20 yards. Albion responded by breaking down the left wing before making in-roads into the box and it took a sliding tackle by Longstone to clear the danger. Albion almost extended their lead from the resulting corner with Thickett clearing a shot off the line. Lynskey then ran at the heart of the Albion defence again and was unlucky to see her shot fly straight at the keeper. The Millers kept up the pressure with subs Jones and Needham combining to work the ball out to Wood on the right. Wood took on the full back and crossed to the back post but the ball just evaded Jones’ run into the box. Wood was soon taking on the full back again, showing off her pace and getting to the by-line where she crossed accurately to Lynskey whose header took a slight deflection which took the power out of it and allowed the keeper to gather easily. The visitors winger made a strong run into the box and it took a firm challenge by Booth to clear the danger. The Millers responded with Wood again running at the defence before laying the ball to Klare Osbourne whose cross shot flew across the six yard box without anyone getting a touch. Whiteley again kept the visitors at bay, firstly easily saving from long range before rushing out to clear the ball as the attacker closed her down. The referee soon blew the full time whistle to confirm the visitors victory, with The Millers hoping to gain swift revenge as they visit the Black Country for the return fixture next Sunday.

Paul Durrands (Managers comments)

This was a very frustrating result for us as we created enough chances to win but “lady luck” isn’t shining on us at the moment.

Except for a 15 minutes period, just before half time when we lost our concentration, I really couldn’t complain about the effort my players put into the game.

It looks like we’ll have to be patient with ourselves until things change for us, and as I have every confidence in my players, I know it will.

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