Sunday May 3, 2009
National Division, Imber Court
Chelsea 4-0 Rovers

Rovers Ladies ended their third season of top-flight football in ninth place following a 4-0 defeat away to high-flying Chelsea.

The home side took the lead midway through the first half when Lianne Sanderson scored her 19th goal of the season, although the England striker looked a yard offside.

Rovers remained in contention until the 65th minute, when Emma Whitter showed a good turn of pace and finish to double Chelsea's lead.

And Chelsea secured the points courtesy of Georgie Giddings' deflected 71st-minute strike and a stoppage time goal by Dunia Susi, who headed home a quickly-taken free-kick at the far post.

After the game, manager Adam Lakeland said: "If we went down to Chelsea with our strongest squad, it would be a difficult challenge, so to go down with a squad of just 13 players - eight of which were teenagers - we knew we would always be up against it.

"I just wanted the same effort and commitment that they showed against Bristol and they gave me that. We just ran out of steam. It is a very demanding league and it was no surprise that Chelsea finished the game off in the closing stages.

"I was very proud of the players' performance and it has given me some positives to go away with over the summer. We just need to draw a line under this season and come back stronger next year."

ROVERS: Parker, Pailing (Sullivan 85), Roberts, Shepherd, Harding, Burke, Kane, Campbell, Forster, Anderton, Hanson (Chattell 85).