Archive for October, 2009

Rotherham United Ladies returned from West Midlands with a well deserved point, in a game where both sides played attractive football despite the gusty conditions. Manager Paul Durrands changed the team around from last week with Claire Needham coming into centre midfield, Rachael Rutherford moving to centre half, Kerry Longstone to left wing and Helen Lynskey being pushed into a more attacking role. The Millers attacked from the kick off and Longstone was unlucky to see her through ball to Lynskey just run too long. Longstone’s cross was then taken off Lynskey’s head by the ‘keeper. Albion responded by moving the ball across to the right hand side of the box where the striker could only shoot into the side netting whilst under pressure form Bridget Booth. Rotherham soon settled into a passing game with Needham, Lynskey and Hayley Wood working the ball to Amy Pollock who shot from range, only to see it go wide. Lynskey, Wood and Pollock combined again with the latter’s cross just being too high for Lynskey who had evaded her marker in the box.

The home team started to get into the game more and almost opened the scoring with a hopeful high ball into the box where Booth could only head the ball backwards and was grateful to see the it go past the far post. Albion had another chance from the resulting corner as the ball was not cleared but an ambitious over head kick was well over. The breakthrough finally came after 20 minutes as Albion hit a long, hopeful ball that tempted ‘keeper Charlie Whiteley to come charging out, only to collide with Sarah Saxon, presenting the home striker with an empty net to shoot into. Whiteley then made a great save from a long range shot as she tipped the ball around the post for a corner. Rotherham responded with Pollock and Saxon combining to get the ball to Lynskey, who was promptly flattened for a free kick 30 yards out. Sarah Thickett chipped the ball in, but it was just too long for Longstone. Longstone then intercepted the ball in the centre before driving at the home defence and playing an inch perfect pass to put Lynskey one on one with the home ‘keeper, who did brilliantly to stand her ground and make a save at close range, with the ball rebounding back off Lynskey for a goal kick. The Millers had another chance just before the interval as Thickett crossed to the back post where Lynskey did well to head the ball back across only to see the ‘keeper save easily.

The Millers started the second half in similar fashion to the first as they attacked the Albion goal, with Pollock’s pin point cross from the right being mis-controlled by Lynskey at the crucial moment, allowing the home team to clear. Thickett then tried her luck with a shot from range which was blocked for a corner, which Natalie Mason knocked to the near post. Lynskey was again unlucky as her shot was blocked at close range. Rotherham made their first substitution after 54 minutes as Klare Osbourne replaced Mason. Wood was soon on the attack again, forcing the full back to concede a corner which Pollock drilled under the bar, forcing the ‘keeper to punch out for a corner from the other side. The Millers took full advantage as Lynskey’s corner was met by Thickett, who headed into the net from close range for a 56th minute equaliser. Rotherham kept up the pressure with Longstone’s cross being taken off Lynskey’s head by the home keeper. Albion responded by breaking down the right before squaring the ball for a shot from the edge of the box which Whiteley acrobatically tipped over the bar.

Rotherham thought that they had taken the lead as Saxon battled to win the ball and pass to Longstone, who hit a terrific ball over the top for Lynskey to run on to. Lynskey then lobbed a fantastic first time shot over the stranded keeper only for the referee to bring the game back for a dubious offside decision. The Millers were again unlucky after 75 minutes as Wood chased a Longstone pass down the line and won a corner from which Needham’s goal bound shot was blocked and cleared. Wood then took on the full back, knocking the ball past her and advancing into the box before hitting a rising shot which the home ‘keeper did well to hold. The visitors made their second change after 80 minutes with Rutherford being replaced by Kerry Jones. Albion were then guilty of a glaring miss as they played a pass into the unmarked striker who shot well over from just 8 yards.

Whiteley then came to Rotherham’s rescue twice, first saving a shot from the left with her legs before gathering a weak shot from the Albion sub. Saxon was then booked for dissent as she argued with the ref after being unhappy with an over the top challenge on her. The last chance of the game fell to the visitors when the referee penalised the Albion goalkeeper for picking up a back pass, much to the dismay of the home team and supporters. Lynskey rolled the ball to Longstone but the ten man wall on the goal line did its job and the ball rebounded out for corner. The referee soon blew for full time with the points shared between two teams.

The next home game is on Sunday 1st November when The Millers entertain Crewe Alexandra, kick off at 2pm. Home games are played at Roundwood Sports Ground in Rawmarsh. All support is very welcome.

Rotherham United Ladies welcomed the team formally known as West Bromwich Albion to Rawmarsh on Sunday and attacked right from the first whistle, with Sarah Thickett finding Helen Lynskey, who shot wide. Lynskey then knocked a through ball for Hayley Wood to chase down the middle and get in a shot in that forced the visiting ‘keeper to make a save at close range. The Millers were keeping the ‘keeper busy as Wood chased down a weak back pass forcing the ‘keeper to block the ball and clearing for a corner. Lynskey headed the resulting corner from Natalie Mason just wide. Albion were almost rewarded on their first real attack of the game as they worked the ball down the right and put in a cross which Bridget Booth could only glance towards her own goal. Luckily Charlie Whiteley was alert to the danger and saved low down to her right. The Millers responded with left back Sarah Saxon showing her usual tenacity to win the ball and release Lynskey who decided to shoot from range only to see the ‘keeper get right behind the ball to save. Albion then stepped up the pressure with some decisive attacking play that culminated in Whiteley making a great save with her legs and Klare Osbourne making a goal saving block from the rebound. Whiteley then produced a fantastic save, tipping a fierce shot onto the bar at full stretch, with the follow up shot being blocked by bodies in the box. The ball was cleared only for another shot from distance being cleared over the bar by Longstones’s header.

The Millers relieved the pressure with Lynskey clipping the ball through for Wood to run on to and beat two defenders before playing the ball across for Lynskey to hit a first time shot that the ‘keeper tipped round the post. Albion broke from the resulting corner and it took a good challenge from Millers captain Kerry Longstone to clear the danger. Albion attacked again, just shooting wide from the edge of the box before another good move ended with a pass into the box which the visiting striker could only hit wide form 6 yards. Albion kept pushing forward with some good close passing and were this time rewarded as Longstone just clipped the attacker as she closed in on goal. The referee showed no hesitation in awarding a penalty which was hit firmly to send Whiteley the wrong way and give the visitors the lead after 41 minutes. Rotherham responded with Wood winning possession out on the right before passing inside to Lynskey who turned and moved the ball to Sarah Thickett whose shot was finger tipped onto the bar. The ‘keeper made it a double save as she saved Lynskey’s follow up shot to preserve Albion’s lead going into half time.

Home manager Paul Durrands started the second half by making a substitution as Rachael Rutherford was replaced by Claire Needham. Albion were soon putting The Millers under pressure and 5 minutes into the half Longstone was robbed 30 yards out and could only watch as the attacker advanced and then hit a 25 yard shot over an advancing Whiteley. Rotherham tried to get back into the game with Amy Pollock making a strong run towards the box before pulling the ball back to Lynskey, whose shot went just wide. Rotherham made their second substitution as Kerry Jones replaced Natalie Mason on the hour mark. Lynskey caused panic in the visitors defence as she took them on before hitting a deflected shot from 20 yards. Albion responded by breaking down the left wing before making in-roads into the box and it took a sliding tackle by Longstone to clear the danger. Albion almost extended their lead from the resulting corner with Thickett clearing a shot off the line. Lynskey then ran at the heart of the Albion defence again and was unlucky to see her shot fly straight at the keeper. The Millers kept up the pressure with subs Jones and Needham combining to work the ball out to Wood on the right. Wood took on the full back and crossed to the back post but the ball just evaded Jones’ run into the box. Wood was soon taking on the full back again, showing off her pace and getting to the by-line where she crossed accurately to Lynskey whose header took a slight deflection which took the power out of it and allowed the keeper to gather easily. The visitors winger made a strong run into the box and it took a firm challenge by Booth to clear the danger. The Millers responded with Wood again running at the defence before laying the ball to Klare Osbourne whose cross shot flew across the six yard box without anyone getting a touch. Whiteley again kept the visitors at bay, firstly easily saving from long range before rushing out to clear the ball as the attacker closed her down. The referee soon blew the full time whistle to confirm the visitors victory, with The Millers hoping to gain swift revenge as they visit the Black Country for the return fixture next Sunday.

Paul Durrands (Managers comments)

This was a very frustrating result for us as we created enough chances to win but “lady luck” isn’t shining on us at the moment.

Except for a 15 minutes period, just before half time when we lost our concentration, I really couldn’t complain about the effort my players put into the game.

It looks like we’ll have to be patient with ourselves until things change for us, and as I have every confidence in my players, I know it will.