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Thursday, January 31st, 2008
THE MILLERS Ladies' survival hopes were dealt a devastating blow as they were beaten in the huge relegation six-pointer with bottom club Crewe. Though they demonstrated grit and determination as they built up periods of intense pressure, Rotherham failed to trouble the Crewe keeper and were left counting the cost of the lack of firepower.
With prolific forward Kerry Longstone suspended, The Millers hoped that quality in other areas of the pitch would see them through and while they did control much of the play, the end product was not good enough.
The deadlock was broken on the half hour mark when a Crewe freekick from out wide was not cleared and the forward stole in and shot past Charlie Whiteley to put the home side in front.
Conceding after a long period of pressure took the wind out Rotherham's sails and they were happy just to see out the rest of the half.
From the break, The Millers emerged with new fire, but again for all their pressure they could not break down the resolute Crewe defence.
With just 15 minutes left on the clock, Rotherham moved to a 3-4-3 formation in search of the equaliser but were caught out and conceded when a long ball was played over the defence leaving the Crewe forward free to round Whiteley and slot home the killer blow.
The Millers grabbed a consolation goal on the stroke of full time as substitute Becky Hale found the net but the damage was done and the once-well adrift Crewe side are now right back in the relegation fight.
Rotherham must put the disappointment behind them as they meet a side looking over their shoulders at the danger zone, Stockport County, before visiting local rivals Sheffield Wednesday on February 5.
of Rotherham's sails and they were happy just to see out
