Manager's delight as Rotherham United Women net first league win

The Millers put a stop-start campaign behind them to beat Oughtibridge 2-1 on Sunday to ease their plight near the foot of the East Midlands Regional Women's League.

And delighted manager Pete Jarvis says it was great to see the players' perseverance pay off.

“The win has been a while coming,” he said.

“We have been a bit unlucky in the last couple of games. We’ve been running teams further above us in the league very close and we were unlucky not to get something against Mansfield a couple of weeks ago.

“We've steadily improved with our performances over the last few months so it is good for the girls to finally get their reward.

“On top of that, we've got a few new signings over the line recently and it has all started coming together well.”

Dina Sarayreh slipped in Lauren Winter to lob Rotherham into an early lead before they conceded an equaliser from the home team on the half-hour.

Winter then had a hand in what turned out to be the winner on 61 minutes, winning a penalty kick which was calmly converted by Georgia Harris to make it 2-1.

Oughtibridge were reduced to ten players by a red card late on before the Millers closed out the victory.

The win lifted them to within a point of Oughtibridge in the Premier Division and three clear of bottom-of-the-table Arnold Eagles.

“We feel our position should be higher so hopefully now we can start pulling clear over the next few games,” added the team boss.

The situation over relegation — if there indeed is any — depends upon the region of the teams relegated down into the division or promoted up from below at the end of the campaign.

The Millers' immediate priority is following up their first win with another good result against Basford United Ladies at Roundwood on Sunday (2pm).