Sheffield Wednesday LFC 2 v 1 Rotherham UtdLadies

THE MILLERS were left ruing missed chances in a dominant first half as they exited the County Cup in the third round at the hands of local rivals Wednesday.

Rotherham United Ladies F.C began the New Year with renewed vigour in an enthralling trip to Manchester City Ladies. 

The Millers girls set off with extroadinary pace, the City girls did not know what hit them.  From the start Rotherham took contol of the ball with Hayley Woods picking it up on the right wing.  A fifty yard run past the City defence saw her knock the ball across the box to striker Suzanne Davis who shot the ball past the City keeper to put Rotherham a goal up inside the first minute. 

The Millers fans who had made the journey were ecstatic.  Unrelenting pressure from Rotherham saw City concede another in the 7th minute, Kerry Longstone running at the full back lofted the ball over her head and into the box.  Woods who was waiting at the far post out jumped the defence and the keeper to head the ball into the goal. 

The City girls started to apply pressure late into the half but excellent defending from the Millers girls prevented them from getting shots on goal.  Rotherham went in at the break knowing that City would try to come back strong in the second half. 

City kicked off and within 2 minutes had a couple of chances on the Rotherham goal which went wide.  Rotherham pushed forward and the City keeper collected the ball.  She kicked long and Carla Baxby headed the ball before the City midfielder and it fell to Davis feet.  She went on a run up the right wing and crossed the ball into the box.  Two City defenders failed to clear and Kerry longstone slotted the ball past the keeper to put Rotherham 3 goals in front. 

City were stunned, but tried to press forward.  Kerry Jones in defence along with Bridget Booth blocked any City shots and Katie Hanson cleared the lines.  Hanson was on fine form when she picked the ball up in defence and passed a perfect ball through to Helen Lynskey.  She knocked the ball over to Longstone on the other side of the park who crossed the ball into the six yard box for in form Davis to side foot it into an open goal. 

The Millers girls were 4 up in the 53rd minute, the City bench was quiet.  They almost had cause to cheer when in minute 63 the City number 8 ran through the Millers midfield and defence to shoot at Rotherham keeper Whitley who made an excellent save.  A substitution was made in the 68th minute when Rebbeca Hale came on for Longstone.  Within 2 minutes Hale received a pass from Lynskey with her back to goal.  She turned the City full back and ran into the box.  With only the keeper to beat she shot low and hard into the left side of the goal.  The keeper dove only to see the ball sail under her. 

5 goals to Rotherham and Davis had further shots which came off the bar, the post and Rotherham could easily have made it more.  In the 90th minute after City pushed everyone into the Millers box they scored a consolation goal.  Final score 5 - 1 to Rotherham. 

This result sees them within 2 points of safety and on the performance today they are looking stronger and ready to move up the league table.

 A good team performance which they are looking to take into next weeks game against Sheffield Wednesday Ladies in the County cup at Muglet Lane, Maltby 1.30 K.O.  Rotherham United's development side are away to Steel City 2pm K.O

 Rotherham Utd Ladies 3 v 4 Portsmouth Ladies

Rotherham United ladies bow out of the FA Cup after a tight contest with Portsmouth.

The Millers return from a two week Christmas break to face tough southern opposition. Portsmouth were third in their respective league but the Millers were determined to rise to the occasion of a chance to play in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Both teams looked strong and early chances came for both sides.A strong run and cross into the box saw Hayley Wood storming in to but just failed to get a good connection on the ball. The Millers defence stood firm throwing themselves in front of shots and Charlie Whitley (GK) made some terrific saves both from long range and one on ones.

Rotherham were first to break the deadlock on 39 mins when Woods made a penertrating run from midfield and played Suzanne Davies in, she calmly rounded two defenders before firing home. As in the past Rotherham were unable to hold onto the lead and Pompey equalised just on the stoke of half-time.

Rotherham returned in the second half with the same Yorkshire grit and determination and when Kerry Longstone picked up the ball from a throw she had only one thing on her mind she turned the defender and lofted the ball high into the top right hand corner to retor their lead on 49mins.

The game continued at a frantic pace and Pompey were rewarded with a goal which looked from the side to be at least three yards off side. The Millers GK made a wonderful save but the ball rebounded straight back to the Pompey forward to make the score 2 -2. Pompey took the lead on 68 mins with another unlucky deflection, but the Rotherham ladies were not finished, and continued to press for their third. Longstone was dismissed with 15mins remaining when she was shown her second yellow for decent.

The Millers must have thought that they game was heading into extra time when Davies netted her second shooting low past the Pompey GK from the edge of the box on 87min. Pompey finished the game with only one min remaining when the Millers GK made an unforced error and the ball squirmed through her legs. Whitley was the player of the match and kept the ladies in the game.

It was a cruel way for the pulsating game to finish but thats FOOTBALL.

Rotherham return to league football on Sunday when they travel to Manchester City, before returning to County cup on Sunday 19th when they face local rivals Sheffield wednesday at Malby Main in a 1pm KO.