Archive for September, 2007

Rotherham lose out in the National League Cup in extra time

The Millers faced tough opposition Portsmouth in the first round of the National Premiership League Cup. The ladies gave probably their best team performance of the season and are growing with confidence at every game.

Both sides were evenly matched but Portsmouth were the first to draw blood on six mins when the lively forward was given time and space to turn and shoot from the edge of the Millers box.

Rotherham equalised within a minute when Needham broke free and drove to the Portsmouth line to deliver a peach of a ball for Davies to finish. The ladies grew in confidence and were nearly rewarded when Davies drove into the box and was able to get her shot away bringing a good save from the Portsmouth GK.

Breaks from both sides could have resulted in either side taking the lead before the break, although the defences made sure the Gk's were protected.

The ladies were forced to make an early substitution when Needham had to be replaced due to illness. She was replaced by newcomer Hopton who joined the squad earlier in the week.

The Rotherham bench would have settled for 1 – 1 at half time when deep into injury time a great ball from Millers fullback Durrands to Davies whose  shot came back from the defender into the path of Hanson who turned and shot first time low into the bottom corner to send Rotherham into half time 2 – 1 to the good.

The ladies started the second half the stronger with early attempts on goal from Longstone, Davies and Hanson, but the Millers were caught out when they failed to clear their lines and Portsmouth latched onto the ball and finished low past GK Whiteley. 2 – 2 Rotherham fell behind after 58mins after Whiteley made an excellent save only to see the Portsmouth forward follow up to slot home their third.

Davies equalised when she broke free and scored her second of the day, and take the Millers into a well earned period of extra time.

Although the ladies gave everything they had left in the tank Portsmouth were just too strong and rounded off their flattering 6 – 3 win with three goals in extra time.

The ladies play their return fixture against Newcastle on Sunday when they hope to get back to winning ways in the league. they face newcastle without midfielder Longstone who was sent off for a second bookable offence. The Millers then take on Sheffield Wed on Wednesdsay 10th Oct at Maltby.

NEXT GAME…..

Newcastle Utd Ladies

v

Rotherham Utd Ladies 

K.O 2.00pm 

Rotherham Utd Ladies 3 v 2 Aston Villa Ladies

Rotherham United gain their second win of the season thanks to a perfect hat trick from striker Suzanne Davies.

The Millers showed grit and determination to beat high flying Aston Villa, although they had to come from a two goal deficit. The opening 20 mins were played at a good pace with both sides creating chances, Longstone came close for the Millers after 4mins when an opportunity to lob the goalkeeper from 20 yards saw the ball scrape the top of the Villa cross bar. Villa hit the bar at the next attack and the Millers defence was able to scramble the ball clear. Durrands came close when she broke free from her fullback position and hit a good shot resulting in a good save by the Villa keeper.

Villa moved up a gear and the Millers conceeded their first with a shot from outside the box which flew in the top corner beating Millers keeper Whiteley on 24mins. The ladies hardly had time to draw breath before loosing possesion in the Villa final third, they broke quickly and saw the ladies with three on three. With Booth beaten, the Villa forward slotted the ball home to take a two goal lead with 25mins gone.

Rotherham were able to get back in the game when Booth played into Needham who played a terrific ball to Longstone, she was able to beat the fullback with pace and skill and deliver the perfect ball from the byline into the Villa box which was met at the near post by Davies to head home for the Millers. Inspired by the belief in their ability the Millers raised their game and they drew level when Davies latched onto a through ball and shot powerfully past the goal keeper to make it 2 – 2 at the interval.

The ladies returned from the break more confident that they could go on and get all three points from the game and on 55mins. The perfect hat trick was achieved when Jones powererd a header over the Villa backline and Longstone completley foxed the Villa defence, to allow Davies to race through and chip the outcoming keeper.

The ladies showed more composure than in previous games when they have conceeded late goals and when Whiteley came rushing out to clear the ball the defence got in a good position and were able to clear up behind her. Pollock subsituted due to injury to her back saw Hanson move into the full back position and make the most remarkable headed clearance by heading the ball clear off the line when it looked a certain equaliser.

Rotherham face tough opponents in the league cup when they take on Portsmouth at home next Sunday 2pm KO

Squad: Whiteley, Durrands, Booth, Allen, Pollock, Needham, Jones, Lynskey, Longstone, Hanson, Davis

Subs: Used – McCool 80mins (Pollock), Not Used: Goodman, Carlton, Hale, Sloan