Written by admin
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
Rotherham Utd Ladies deserved more from their opening league fixture away to Leicester City, but suffered a 2 v 0 defeat to the hands of the Foxes.
The game started at a good pace, with both teams pressuring their opposition to test any opening game nerves, but it was Rotherham who started to but their foot on the game early on. The partnership of Shaw and Aisthorpe upfront caused the Leicester centre halves issues at times, and both players had good opportunities to put the Millers ahead early on.
Leicester relied on the quick breaks with accurate long balls over the full backs, but the Rotherham back line delt reasonably well with them. From corners, Leicester looked threatening, but some strong and brave play from Whitley and Rutherford kept the threat down to a minimum.
The Millers side worked hard for each other, and kept the ball down, trying to the play the football they were renouned for last season. Some good link play between Davison and Shaw provided another opportunity for Aisthorpe mid way through the half, but the shot went narrowly wide.
The same two players linked well again with Pollock this time, resulting in the Millers forcing a corner. The corner was cleared strongly by the Foxes captain, and landed directly to the lone striker upfront. Franklin outpaced the two Rotherham defenders and slotted the ball past Whitley to take the lead. Teah doubled Leicesters lead just seconds later after some poor clearances and control at the back.
The two goals in 2 minutes directly before half time were a blow to Rotherham who had, had the better of the chances and possession throughout the opening 45mins.
‘Character’ was the key word in the dressing room at half time, and the Millers continued to show it in the second half.
Both teams had chances to alter the score line, with Shaw and Aisthorpe coming close on occasions. Stray hit the cross bar with a free kick, and was then hero at the other end when she blocked the ball on the line from the Leicester centre forward. John came on for Smith, and could have scored on her debut, but only to blast the ball over the bar from close range.
Rotherham continued to press but failed to put the ball into the back of the net, resulting in a 2 v 0 defeat.
Manager’s comments:
“ I am disappointed we didn’t come away with any points from Sundays game as we competed, and for long periods we outplayed a very good Leicester City team, of whom I expect to be at the top end of the league this season.
My defence has been the reason why we have been successful during last season’s campaign but inexplicably we conceded two very sloppy goals that in the end, gave the points to Leicester, in a very hectic 3 minutes just before half time.
We created 6 very good chances during the 90 mins which in itself is encouraging at this level, and on another day, my two strikers Stacey Aisthorpe and Nat Shaw would have converted a percentage and we would then have come away from Leicester City with some points, of some sorts.
Football being football, kicks you in the teeth when you are not looking and lose concentration and that’s exactly what happened to us.
I am very encouraged by 85 mins of yesterdays game, and when we get our heads around one or two things, we’ll attack this league with a vengeance”.
Team: Whitley, Stray, Futter, Rutherford, Saxon(Wood 80mins), Davison, Pollock, Richardson(Spence 75mins), Smith(John 55mins), Aisthorpe, Shaw
