3It was an unhappy homecoming for the Millers as three second-half goals gave Chesterfield victory at Roundwood.

The visitors were the best of the rest last season, albeit trailing runaway winners Lincoln United by some distance (like everyone else!), and were always going to be a tough nut to crack.

With the dangerous Imogen Fowler, Georgina Williams and midfield kingpin Millie Standen all retained, the visitors posed a clear threat in attack.

And the trio proved a thorn in the Millers’ side once again.

Chesterfield began on the front foot and spurned a series of presentable chances. The Millers also had Katrina Parsons in goal for keeping the visitors out.

Finding a foothold in the game, Rotherham threatened through Milly Colford and Delia Hurdiss before being undone in disappointing fashion.

A route one lofted ball bypassed the home defence and Fowler had time and space to control and finish.

Unbowed, Rob Hilton’s side rallied before the break and the right wing, where Sophie Gordon had already made inroads, proved key.

The lively Amy Caddick skipped past her marker and was tripped in the box, giving Delia Hurdiss the chance to step up and clinically open her season’s account from the penalty spot.

Photo by Andy Kelly

Deservedly level at the break, the hosts failed to trouble the Chesterfield goal before the visitors went in front again, this time with Jordan Atkin found unmarked in the centre to tap home.

The game went away from the Millers on 69 minutes with a hotly-contested penalty decision.

Millie Standen went down in the box under a challenge and while it appeared Erren Davies had got the ball, the referee disagreed, and Standen made no mistake from the spot.

Photo by Alex Roebuck

There was still time for Nowell and sub Caitlin O’Callaghan to come close to reducing the arrears but when Fowler beat the offside flag and advanced to beat Parsons, it was game over.

Hilton declared the display an improvement on last weekend’s loss at Mansfield but the Millers are still without a win this season.

Wednesday’s visit of Sheffield FC (kick-off 7.45pm) offers a fresh chance to put that right.