Rotherham United Women 8-0 Long Eaton United

Six goalscorers netting eight goals added up to the easiest three points Rotherham United Women are likely to secure all season.

They battered a toothless Long Eaton United 8-0 at Roundwood – and the margin of victory probably should have been wider.

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

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.

Long Eaton keeper Millie Smith endured a torrid afternoon at Roundwood but in truth she kept the score down, one save in particular from Broadhurst showing sharp reactions.

The Millers started with intent, repeatedly putting the away defence under pressure and fashioning chance after chance, Halima Essa and Abbie Staples proving a dual threat down the flanks.

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 Smith’s reach.

The celebrations had barely died down when Staples burst through moments later and clipped a centre over the fingertips of Smith.

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 third goal seemed inevitable, such was the Millers’ dominance, but 2-0 was the half-time score, despite the home side’s best efforts.

Rotherham United Women with mascots from Rawmarsh St Joseph’s under-9s

Sub Wilson will feel she should have scored when clean through, while Essa and Broadhurst also brought smart stops from the exposed Smith.

A noisy Roundwood crowd didn’t have long to wait long after the break for more excitement, O’Callaghan forcing a corner with a snapshot Smith turned round the post, before O’Callaghan gratefully accepted a gift from the resulting corner by poking in from close range.

A flurry of chances for a fourth followed, Jones seeing a shot blocked and Essa firing wide of the left post.

Wilson was next to make her mark, firing a left-wing free kick over the stranded Smith – 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.

And 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 (ironically the exact time she had a goal wrongly chalked off at Arnold Eagles last month) when she thumped a cross shot into the top corner.

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 Smith.

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

In truth, there was only ever one team in this and 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.

At Herringthorpe, two goals from Georgia Harris and one each from Emily Ward and Mia McDonald were enough to land the Reserves their first league win of the season.

Harris and Ward put the Millers two up before half-time and despite Wednesday finding the net twice after the break, Harris and McDonald hit back to see Rotherham home.

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