Rotherham United

Rotherham played host to table toppers Loughborough Foxes as the Millers’ Ladies looked to build on the improved performances of recent weeks.

The game started in positive fashion with both teams being patient in their build up in an attempt to take the early advantage.  It was Loughborough who struck first though, with a neatly taken volley on 22 minutes to give the away side the advantage at 1-0.

Shortly after the opener a frenetic nine minute period ensued with four more goals being registered. The first of these came in the form of a thunderbolt from Rotherham’s Lily Wishart, whose effort crashed in off of the post to level the scores.

The scores weren’t level for long however, as Loughborough replied with three unanswered goals, the second of which being a stunning 30 yard effort which rose into the roof of the net.

Despite a late chance falling to Nat Shaw just before the half time whistle, the score remained 4-1 to the league leaders as both sides headed in for the break.

Loughborough started the second half with the same intensity that they had played with during the first half and were immediately asking questions of the Rotherham defence and it wasn’t long until Loughborough had their fifth.

Loughborough continued to pile on the pressure as Rotherham found it hard to get out of their own half, due to the pace, power and frequency that the visitors attacked with, which finally took it’s toll on 59 minutes as a headed goal made it 6-1.

Much like in the first half this was the start of a 10 minute period where Loughborough added two more goals to be well and truly out of sight at 8-1.

Although the scoreline was against them, Rotherham showed great heart and fight to stand firm with some well timed tackles and quality goalkeeping from Jary to keep the score at 8-1.

They threatened at the other end through an Amy Pollock free kick, which resulted in the Loughborough keeper having to make a fine double save.

In added time at the end of the game Rotherham’s resistance was broken for a final time when a strike from outside of the area found it’s way into the back of the net having grazed the post, to round off the score at 9-1 to Loughborough and cementing the visitors’ place at the summit of the table.