Rotherham Ladies 1st XI

Rotherham Ladies 1s travelled to Whitley Bay on Saturday for their final game of an eventful season.

Hopes were high that they could finish with a flourish and finally get to see that well deserved point on the league table, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Rotherham started strongly and had the majority of the chances in the first half with excellent work from Katie Houghton, Emily Riley and Issy Watts, but the goal just wouldn’t come. The defence were organised/bossed by Kate Burgin, and with Jess Rodgers making several fantastic saves, there was no way for Whitley Bay to break the stalemate either.

Halftime score 0-0!! But could they hold on for a final 35 minutes?

Sadly not. The Rotherham defence and goalkeeper were overrun around ten minutes into the second half and Whitley Bay finally took the lead. The home side were awarded multiple short corners, but the defence held firm and prevented the score escalating. As ever, Rotherham worked till the final whistle but couldn’t create the same level of chances they had in the first half, and as the clock ticked down the glimmer of hope faded and the point evaded them one last time.

Final score 1-0. The team’s best score line of the season and a performance to be proud of.

Player of the Match: Katie Houghton

As Captain, I would personally like to give a few final thanks to finish the season:

To every player – Those who have played regularly, those who have only played occasionally and those who have stepped up when we’ve really needed them

To every parent and supporter – Those who have been on the sideline, in the stands, who have travelled, who have driven, who have been a constant support through thick and thin

The Coach – Enough said

The outstanding Technical Delegate – For ALWAYS returning my pens

Anna Hogarth – For being the best Vice Captain I could ask for. I’m desperately sad that she won’t be at RHC next season, but I sincerely hope we’ve all given her a final season to remember (and enough reason to want to return in FOUR years)

We started the season expecting some very heavy defeats, but I’m sure that none of us expected the heaviest to be just 11-0. We’ve stuck together through everything that’s been thrown at us and are the true definition of a TEAM; a team that has been a pleasure to Captain, and I hope every one of them is as proud of themselves as I am of them.

I have a feeling the 2020/21 season is going to be a good one.