Sunday September 14, 2008
Premier League Cup (First Round)
Rovers 7-2 Rotherham United

ROVERS Ladies were the biggest top-flight winners in the opening round of the Premier League Cup after trouncing Rotherham United 7-2 at Shawbridge.

Three players all bagged braces as Rovers went goal crazy at home to their Northern Division opponents.

Captain Natalie Preston was again amongst the goals - scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes to take her early season tally to five.

Clare Needham pulled one back for the visitors, but Nicki Harding extended Rovers' lead just before the break.

Emma McDougall (pictured) netted her first, and second, goals for the club either side of a Kerry Longstone strike, before Katie Anderton completed the scoring with a fine double late on.

Manager Adam Lakeland said: "It is a competition we really fancy our chances of a good run in.

"You can never underestimate a lower league team - it is all about being professional and getting the job done. We didn't play great, but we managed to win the game comfortably.

"Youngsters Jo Norris and Emma McDougall both got 90 minutes under their belts, whilst Katie Anderton got off the mark, so it was a successful day all round.

"I always knew that once Katie got one, she'll go and get a few more, which will contribute massively to our game."

ROVERS: Parker, Harding, Twohig (Carroll 65), McCoy, Norris, McDougall, Preston (Byrne 70), Shepherd (Burke 70), Campbell, Parry, Anderton.

Premier League Cup First Round Results:

Arsenal 6-2 Charlton
Brighton 3-2 Truro
Bristol Academy 3-0 Keynsham
Cardiff 1-2 Fulham
Chelsea 4-0 Barnet
Everton 2-1 Birmingham
Leeds 1-0 Manchester City
Leicester 6-2 Aston Villa
Millwall 7-1 Ipswich
Nottingham Forest 4-2 Liverpool
OOH Lincoln 3-1 Sunderland
Preston 5-3 Curzon Ashton
Watford 3-0 Crystal Palace (AET)
West Ham 1-2 Portsmouth