Slazenger’s started the brightest in this division 6 cup fixture, with several telling attacks down both flanks and generally controlling the possession well in midfield with Ste Roberts and Rowan Tejura dictating the play and spreading the ball out wide to the wingers.
However, the away team failed to capitalise on all this possession and the score remained 0-0. After the first 20 minutes Rotherham began to get themselves into the game and it was during this period that they mounted their first serious attack with two pacy strikers leaving the Slazenger’s defence for dead and cooly converting past the out running Slazenger’s keeper Ralph Toon.
The lead did not last long when Dan Levitt came off the right wing to score an equaliser by pushing a telling cross into the goal right by the post.
The game remained evenly match from here on but Slazenger’s managed to edge in front after the Rotherham keeper had been dragged out of position by Luke Gueli advancing down the byline and pulling the ball back to the penalty spot for Ian Hedges to sweep the ball into an open goal. Half time score 2-1
Rotherham managed to find an equaliser within the first 5 minutes of the second half with a player left unmarked at the far post deftly dabbing a fiercely driven pass over the line. The game then remained level for the rest of the second half despite the exertions of both teams.
Extra-time was needed to separate the 2 teams and after some re-organisation of positions Slazenger’s started the brighter and substitute Darren Buttery was able to convert a fine solo effort from Andrew Birkett.
Once Steve Johnson tapped in the 4th Slazenger goal from a Jack Mumford pass it was match over. Final score 4-2.
