MATCH REPORT: League leaders too good for dogged Millers

2Lincoln United 6-1 Rotherham United

Facing a side yet to drop a single point and with a striker homing in on 40 goals for the season, the Millers were always going to have their work cut out when they travelled to play Lincoln United.

And so it proved as the home side ran up a six-goal haul on a tough afternoon for Pete Jarvis’ side.

That striker, Ellie Gilliatt, was a constant danger who intermittently escaped her shackles to fire fiercely at Katrina Parsons’ goal.

Parsons, facing her most relentless onslaught so far this season, made two excellent saves to keep the score down but was powerless to prevent Lincoln’s goals.

It was Gilliatt who opened the scoring after five minutes, shooting across Parsons and inside the far post.

The home celebrations had barely died down when the Millers levelled, Jessie Broadhurst seizing on a loose pass and calming slotting past Rosie Davidson in the Lincoln goal.

An open game threatened further goals, Lauren Brogan drawing a smart stop from Davidson, but Lincoln restored their lead before the break.

Gilliatt was fouled in the breakdown from a corner and sent Parsons the wrong way from the spot and her fellow forward Betsy Thomas twisted in the box before firing into the Millers goal.

Photos by Ed Mayes

Thomas added a second after the break, dipping a shot over Parsons and Olivia Smith smashed in a free kick.

The Millers had to dig deep to repel almost constant home attacks as Lincoln dominated possession.

And Gilliatt completed her hat trick in the dying moments, skipping inside and rocketing a left-footer into the roof of the net.

Millers: Katrina Parsons, Dina Sarayreh, Lori-Anne Tart, Amy Nowell, Abbie Staples Lauren Winter, Sidni Simmons, Lauren Brogan, Delia Hurdiss, Jessie Broadhurst, Halima Essa. Subs: Jess Jones, Rachel Hale, Demi Weekes, Milly Colford.