Mansfield Town 3-1 Rotherham United

Handsworth 0-2 Rotherham United Under-21s

New season, same feeling of frustration.

Mansfield was not a happy hunting ground for the Millers last season, thanks in part to a hotly-contested penalty decision.

In this campaign’s curtain raiser, they had only themselves to blame for being on the wrong end of the result.

A failure to find the net until 15 minutes from time combined with three disappointing goals conceded to leave them pointless and disappointed.

Those looking for positives could take comfort in a second half rally which converted increased intensity all round into sustained dominance, which brought reward in the form of Amy Nowell’s clinically volleyed goal.

By that point, Rob Hilton’s side were on the wrong side of a two-goal deficit, Mansfield substitute Gabriella Foulkes having mopped up in the dying seconds of the first when Rotherham failed to clear a free kick to give the hosts a lead doubled when Amy Pashley crashed in a 25-yarder on 65 minutes.

Hilton also took heart from the competitive debuts of young players Evie Manley and Erren Davies, both of whom showed industry and skill to test the home defence. Indeed, it was the former whose overlapping run and cross forced the opening for Nowell’s goal.

As the Millers pressed for an equaliser, Alesha Gale and Caitlin O’Callaghan now spearheading the attack, Mansfield landed the knockout blow, Pashley lofting a last minute free kick into the far corner.

So it’s back to the drawing board this week, in preparation for the visit of Chesterfield Ladies to Roundwood on Sunday.

The Millers’ Under-21s enjoyed a more much successful opening to their season in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Women’s and Girls’ League.

Emily Walker and sub Fran Smith both found the net late on to overcome the resistance of Handsworth at Oliver’s Mount, handing the young side a 2-0 victory.

The Under-21s are at home to Just Football FC on Sunday.