Goal-hungry Rotherham United Women put rivals to the sword

They swept aside Long Eaton United 8-0 at Roundwood last weekend to move third in the East Midlands Regional Premier Division.

Complete with six different scorers, it added up to the easiest three points the Millers are likely to secure all season.

Maddy Wilson and Caitlin O’Callaghan each helped themselves to two and Sidni Simmons, Jessie Broadhurst, Milly Colford and Jess Jones all added their names to the scoresheet.

Lauren Brogan had already rattled the crossbar with a left-footed drive when Simmons put Rotherham ahead on 18 minutes, her lofted cross shot from the right sailing beyond the keeper’s reach.

The celebrations had barely died down when Abbie Staples burst through moments later and clipped goalwards.

It was unclear if the ball had crossed the line when Broadhurst made sure, but the goal was later credited to the striker – her second in as many games.

A noisy Roundwood crowd didn’t have long to wait long after the break for more excitement, O’Callaghan poking in a corner from close range.

Wilson was next to make her mark, firing a left-wing free kick over the stranded the goalkeeper – a feat she repeated in the dying minutes to make it eight.

The fifth came from the industrious Colford during another accomplished shift in the split striker position.

Having hit straight at Smith on the hour, Colford forced the keeper into a flying right- handed save ten minutes later by arrowing a shot towards the top corner.

The striker cashed in when the Long Eaton defence went missing at the resulting corner, taking her chance to thrash home on the volley.

Jones, a constant menace down the right after the break, received her just reward on 78 when she thumped a cross-shot into the top corner for 6-0.

And perhaps the pick of the goals came from O’Callaghan, who found space six yards out to reach a Jones cross and clip a volley beyond the despairing keeper.

By the time Wilson had added her second for 8-0, the away side cut a demoralised picture.

The result was never in doubt after the first 20 minutes, but the Millers showed a composure and professionalism to secure the three points.

They may well feel it should have been double figures but will happily settle for eight.

It was an afternoon to remember for the Reserves, too, as Dave Vine’s side saw Sheffield Wednesday Ladies off 4-2 at Herringthorpe Stadium to secure their first league win of the season.

Strikes from Georgia Harris (2), Emily Ward and Mia McDonald did the trick.

Both sides can enjoy a weekend off before returning to competitive action on October 22.