Rotherham United Ladies travelled to Stoke looking to atone for last weeks poor showing at Leafield but were soon on the back foot as the hosts opened the scoring after only four minutes. The ball was played into the penalty box where it was controlled instantly and played across the six yard line for a tap in by Asher. The Millers responded with Hayley Wood showing her pace to get into the box where she was prevented from getting a shot away by a great sliding tackle from a Stoke defender. Rotherham picked up the first booking of the game as Rachel Rutherford flew into a tackle but only connected with the player. The resulting free kick was driven in and Charlie Whiteley had to be alert to tip the ball round the post for a corner. The Millers continued to look for the equaliser with Helen Lynskey breaking through midfield and playing a ball to put Wood through, but the home 'keeper was alert to the danger and bravely collected the ball. Sarah Saxon then played a pin point pass to Zuzzie Pramukova whose snap shot was easily saved. The home team doubled their advantage on the 22 minute mark after working the ball down the right before an inch perfect cross was headed into the far corner by Asher for her second of the game.
Stoke almost scored again after breaking down the left before crossing to the far post where Saxon saved the visitors by heading clear. Saxon then played another ball through to Pramukova who decided to shoot early and beat the keeper only to see the ball just go the wrong side of the post. Whiteley then saved brilliantly when faced with a one on one with Asher and Klare Osbourne cleared the follow up shot from the line to keep the score at 2 -
0 going into half time.
Manager Paul Durrands made a substitution at the start of the second half with Jaydene Venus replacing Kate Sneddon. Stoke attacked from the start but were unable to really trouble the visitors defence and Rotherham soon grew in confidence with Wood breaking down the left before crossing dangerously only to see the 'keeper collect the ball and Rutherford's long range free kick also forcing the 'keeper to make a save. Lynskey then crossed from the right and Wood must have thought her header was heading for the corner, only to see the 'keeper make a full length save to keep the ball out. A quick free kick from Lynskey saw Amy Pollock break down the right before firing a shot at the 'keeper. The Millers pressure was finally rewarded on the hour as Pollock battled for the ball before playing it to Pramukova, whose cross-shot flew over the despairing reach of the home 'keeper and into the top corner to half the home teams lead. Pollock then played Wood down the right where she crossed to Clare Needham who could not keep her first time shot down and it sailed over the bar. The Millers soon levelled up the scores with a corner being cleared back to Pollock whose perfect cross was met by Rutherford to bundle over the line. The Stoke players were not happy though, claiming that they had stopped playing as Wood was lying injured in the box. The referee advised that he had played advantage and the goal stood. Unfortunately the home 'keeper kept up the protest and was sent off for swearing at the official. Rotherham stepped up the pressure by switching to three at the back and pushing Lynskey and Rutherford further forward.
They were almost rewarded with Rutherford volleying Pollock's corner just over. Wood then broke down the right wing again and crossed to Lynskey who could only drag her shot wide of the post. With time running out Pollock tried her luck from distance but was just wide, before playing Pramukova through only to see the shot again go wide in what turned out to be the last chance of the game.
Final Score – 2 – 2.
Team:
1. C. Whiteley
21. C. Spencer
3. S. Saxon
4. Z. Pramukova
6. C. Needham
7. A. Pollock
8. K. Sneddon
14. H. Lynskey
10. H. Wood
11. R. Rutherford
18. K. Osbourne
Subs: B. Booth, J. Venus, N. Mason.
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