Sunday 5th. Sept. 2010
Women’s Midland Combination League.
Loughborough Students L.F.C. 1 .v. 1 Rotherham Utd. L.F.C.
Rotherham started their new season with a point and a good away performance at Loughborough Students.
The Millers preparations, before the game, were “hampered” by inept preparations of either a pitch, or changing facilities by the home team, but they began the game better and more controlled than the Students.
The first half saw Rotherham look in control for long periods and any threat on goals came from the away outfit.
A good move down the right, midway in the first half, saw Sophie Barker but Nat Shaw away only to see the young forward only just miss with a delicate chip over the advancing keeper head.
The next scoring chance came 10 mins later, again from a sweet pass fromm Barker to Zuzzie Pramukova which saw the latter put her shot just wide.
Loughborough were left with quick break a ways and only their talented left winger causing the Millers defence any problems.
The second half again saw Rotherham press and after a tremendous run down the left and cross , from the ever inventive Zuzzie Pramukova, saw Paige Crossman meet the ball and volley only for the home keeper to make a fine save.
Rotherham lost the impressive Barker with a ankle injury midway through the second half but this didn’t deter the away side from pressing again.
The football was impressive from Rotherham in patches but they looked in control at the back allowing Loughborough sporadic raids.
Football being as it is, Loughborough did raid and went in front with a deflected shot that looped over Charlie Whitley’s head into the top of the Rotherham net, much to the delight of the home fans.
Not taking it lying down, Rotherham replied and pressed forward with Pramokova and Shaw being united together, up front in a more attack minded 4-4-2 system, with manager Paul Durrands pushing his players forward looking for an early reply.
Rotherham hit the crossbar twice and began to feel that it wasn’t really going to be their day, but they were rewarded with an equaliser from Nat Shaw as she bundled home the ball, after a goal mouth scramble came from intense pressure.
Rotherham took home a well deserved point, from a game they really should have won.
Manager Paul Durrands’ comment:
“As the game went on, and we were dominating for long periods, I felt that the only way Loughborough were going to score was if we helped, and we did, with just about the only sloppy bit of defending during the match.
I could see, after missing 3 or 4 goods chances that this game had 1-0 written all over it.
The only surprise I had, was that we went 1-0 down.
The girls reacted very well and deservedly scored later in the match.
What with so many new faces in the “new look” Rotherham, it may take a few matches for them to “bed in” and then I expect us to start to dominate more games, for longer periods”.
This Sunday we are at home to Coventry Copsewood. K.O.2pm with all support welcome.
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