MATCH REPORT: Millers leave it late again to snatch draw at Chesterfield

Chesterfield Ladies 2-2 Rotherham United Women

There was more late, great drama for Rotherham United Women as goals from Abbie Staples and Caitlin O’Callaghan secured us a deserved 2-2 draw at Chesterfield Ladies.

Following last week’s Sidni Simmons’ winner in the closing stages against Grimsby, substitute O’Callaghan pounced when Chesterfield keeper Becca Baker couldn’t hold onto a last-minute Simmons free kick, volleying into the roof of the net with just moments remaining.

It completed a comeback which had looked possible throughout a second half dominated by Pete Jarvis’ side without troubling Baker until Staples’ strike.

That intervention was brought about by the tenacious Mia McDonald – a menace for the home defence down either flank – pinching possession deep in the Chesterfield box.

She rapped a curler against the upright, with the rebound falling to Essa, who turned smartly and squared left-footed to allow Staples to apply the finish.

In a classic game of two halves, the Millers’ powerhouse second period display was in sharp contrast to a more passive performance before the break, where Chesterfield scored twice and always looked dangerous.

Their star performer was Georgina Williams, whose all-action outing saw her popping up all over the attacking third.

Williams struck early, breaking down the right and cutting inside before smashing a shot which Millers keeper Georgia Ward reached but couldn’t keep out.

Williams could have added to her total before the interval after breaking through three Rotherham tackles on the edge of the box, only to see Ward push her right footer wide.

Chesterfield also came close when Imogen Fowler rattled the woodwork, while captain Millie Standen shot straight at Ward.

And they doubled their lead when Rotherham failed to deal with a corner and the lurking Chelsea Bailey fired home.

The Millers’ rare sights of goal came mostly from Simmons but two long-rangers failed to seriously test Baker, while Rachel Hale lashed a left-footer high and wide from a cleared corner.

Jarvis rang the changes at half-time, withdrawing Lauren Winter to a deeper midfield role and introducing Madison Wilson to pose a different question for the home defence.

A more direct approach put the Chesterfield backline on their heels and saw Staples and McDonald making hay down the flanks.

Simmons came close from distance and Essa volleyed into the keeper’s arms as Rotherham pressed for a breakthrough which finally came on 75 minutes, raising hopes of a comeback which was completed in thrilling style by O’Callaghan.

The result maintains the Millers unbeaten start to the season and leaves them in fourth place in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division.

ahead of a four-week break for three cup weekends in a row.

The first tie is against Tier 4 Doncaster Rovers Belles, who come to Roundwood in the County Cup next Sunday.

Millers: Georgia Ward, Dina Sarayreh, Sidni Simmons, Lori-Anne Tart, Molly Corke, Rachel Hale, Halima Essa, Lauren Winter, Abbie Staples, Milly Colford, Jessie Broadhurst.

Subs: Mia McDonald, Caitlin O’Callaghan, Jess Jones, Georgia Harris, Madison Wilson.