Rotherham start with a win...
The Ladies kicked off the season against Leafield Athletic.
The first half was a scrappy affair with Rotherham United failing to convert their early possession into chances. Wilson sent in a series of inviting crosses that her teammates failed to connect with and Shaw and Tilling both saw their early shots saved.
The deadlock was broken when Osborne collected the ball from Evans and attempted an ambitious shot that deflected off a mixture of bar and the Leafield goalkeeper into the net, ensuring that Rotherham United went into half time leading 1-0.
Rotherham United’s second goal came barely 10 minutes into the second half, with an equally scrappy goal as the first. A collection of errors in the Leafield box from both teams saw the ball fall to Cassidy, whose deflected shot made it 2-0. The third goal soon followed. Excellent interplay between Pollock and Shaw, provided Shaw with just the keeper to beat and she placed her shot sweetly into the top corner for 3-0.
Leafield tactics became more defensive as they tried to stop the onslaught, trying to hit Rotherham United counteract, which forced Whiteley into a neat save around the hour mark. The fourth and arguably the best Rotherham goal came just minutes after Whiteley’s save, when Evans collected the ball in midfield and played an inviting pass to the left hand edge of the box which Tilling collected and chipped over Leafield keeper into the top right hand corner of the net for 4-0.
Richardson made the score 5-0, with twenty minutes left to play. Evans collected the ball in central midfield and gave it to Richardson, who hit the ball hard from 35 yards out and sent it straight into the back of the net. Rotherham United had further chances to extend their lead with Pollock, Shaw, Birtles and Tilling all saw their attempts saved.
Team: Whiteley, Wilson, Spencer ©, Birtles, Osborne, Cassidy (Unthank), Richardson, Evans, Tilling (Khan), Pollock, Shaw – Unused Substitutes: Cottam
Next match – Radcliffe (home) Sunday 25th August – 2pm kick off