Written by
Sunday, April 15th, 2007
In the penultimate game of the season, Rotherham travelled to third placed Leafield who were unbeaten at home and came away with their hardest fought three points of the season.
In temperatures nearing 25 degrees pitch side, the young Millers started the better and pushed the homesters onto the back foot from the referees first whistle.
Wood was causing Leafields' back line a considerable amount of problems with her direct running and she was unlucky not to be given a penalty, after 15mins. from a strong challenge inside the box.
Davies struck the first blow for the visitors with a powerful drive from an acute angle and Lynskey added the second to ensure that the young Millers went into the half time break 0-2 up and in complete control.
The second half saw Rotherham again look the brighter early on until after 10 mins. the home side scored an excellent chipped goal, on the angle and this turned the game completely on its' head.
For the next 20 minutes, it became like the "Alamo" for Rotherham as Leafield plummeted the visitors back four and if not for a clever save from Nash and some stout defending from The Millers defence, then Leafield could have taken the upper hand.
With only 10 mins. left, and a 1-2 victory for Rotherham looking the result, up came the goal of the season, hit by Leafield number 4 from fully 30 yards that gave Nash no chance in goal.
Lynskey replied instantly for the visitors, with a tremendous 45 yard run that culminated in chipping the keeper, but the cheering supporters watched as the ball dribbled wide.
With only 2 minutes left Wood pressurised the Leafield back line, and strode forward from fully 40 yards with the ball at her feet.
Two defenders were chasing her down, and with the keeper coming off her line, "Woody" cleverly clipped the ball over the advancing keeper to score the most memorable goal of Rotherhams season.
This culminated in ecstatic scenes from on the pitch and the bench.
Rotherham held out and went home with all three points."
Managers' comments:
"I've been in football for many years now and it never ceases to amaze me what football can serve up. In searing heat, both sets of players produced energy that was a credit to the womens game.
My players couldn't have given me any more effort than they did, and I was so proud of them when the final whistle went as they showed tremendous character to summons up that "extra" that was needed to gain that third goal in those dying minutes.
We must take this strong mental approach, this togetherness, this will to win, right up to the final whistle, with us in our last home game this Sunday.
Our visitors are Loughborough Students, who are by far the fittest team ever in our league and so we will have to be at our best.
I am ready for this final game of the season!
Are the girls ready?
You bet your life they are."
